Is there anyone that spinal fusions help

all I'm reading is that spinal fusions don't work, I was going to have one in December, and after reading I'm really scared, I 've had 2 back surgurys , but they didn't fuse them , but they left me unstable . Please give me some body who its really help them, I don't know what to do if it  doesn't work. I know theres a lot of people out there with this problem,  Help  Margie

[daddysbabygirl]

Please see my post.  Keep in mind your current age and also the doctor who is doing this surgery.

[jenntanis]

My lumbar fusion worked!  I had my fusion done 1/25/08, and it was a lumbar fusion done on levels L4-S1.  I had 4 herniated disks in my lumbar spine, and they repaired two of them.  I have been doing great, and I recently had a baby, with no major back pain to speak of during my pregnancy or my c-section.  I also had my fusion when I was 27 years old, and I had it done by a neurosurgeon at a major teaching hospital (University of MD).  It took me 5 doctors who would perform surgery on me at such a young age.

[richmill1]

of course they work..most people in these forums write of their continuing problems..the great majority of patients got their life back- I did..58 yr old male..and I know 4 other guys with same results..don't let fear make your decisions.  Good luck

[LindsChris]

Hi,

So your post really stood out to me!! I am 23 years old and I have degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine. I became symptomatic in 2005 after suffering an injury while playing college lacrosse. I have been in pain ever since. My pain is constant; I have it everyday in addition to acute episodes where the pain is so intense that I can't even move. I have exhausted all non-surgical options thus far including physical therapy, chiropractic, etc. However, I am going to try steroidal spinal injections. I have seen two orthopedic surgeons now and both of them say that do not recommend surgery because of my age. I feel like I am going crazy!! I am getting progressively worse and my pain is becoming more intense the more time that passes. Like most people, I don't want to have surgery, but I am to the point where I cannot hear another doctor tell me to try yoga or core exercises otherwise I am going to go crazy. Like I explained, I have tried all of that and it hasn't worked. Based on your experience, do you think it would be wise for me to consider surgery more seriously? What was your recovery time like? How did you get a doctor to finally consider surgery even though you were so young?

Thanks so much for your help : )