Considering a Lower Lumbar Fusion....

[NJShoreMan]

I am a 36 year old male.  I was a professional dancer on Broadway for 10 years and now suffer from Degenerative Disc Disease.  I have pain in my lower back, but the pain down the ciatic path of my right leg is often unbearable.  After two years of trying EVERY other option (epidural injections, nerve ablasions, massage, accupuncture, muscle activation technique, physical therapy, even a 3 level discectomy (8 weeks ago)), nothing has helped releive the pain.  

My pain management doctor (Dr. Robert Muscio) has reffered me back to the surgeon that did my discectomy (Dr. Louis Quartararo) and they are now reccomending a two level (S1-L5 and L5-L4) fusion which doctor Quartararo can do entirely endoscopically (through two one-inch incisions.)

I'm looking for advice/thoughts/feedback/information from anyone who has had the procedure either recently or within the last several years, or anyone who's had an alterative procedure, or has explored other options?

The doctors have told me that (after the long recovery process) I will eventually (perhaps a year from now?) not have the pain in the back or leg, and that I shouldn't see any long-term loss of mobility or physical limitations.

Anybody out there have thoughts?  I LOVE to hear them.....I'm concerned, afraid, but also NOT able to live with this pain as it is now.

Gary Kilmer
***@****

[hags4christ]

Hey there,
I know exactly what you are going through.
In November, it will be 8 years since I had a bilateral decompression/fusion of my L/4-L5/S1.  It was done through the anterior (front) and posterior (back), however, I was not so fortunate as my scars are rather big.
I can tell you that my sciatica was unbearable, I also had a 30% curvature of my spine and would often times be tied up into an S shape or bent over into a C shape.
The surgery was a huge success, I do have osteoarthritis as a result of having (bone) surgery. This is relatively common so you should be aware of that.
I do not know what else to suggest to you, ultimately, if the surgery is you only course of action left, I would sit down and research long term residual effects, long term consequences, side affects ect.  After you do that, get a second opinion, and lastly make a very thorough PROS AND CONS LIST.  
After you have done all that, you will be able to make a decision for yourself, based solely on fact and you will have so much more peace about that decision.
I will keep you in my prayers
God bless
Trish

[kittyluv1]

I am sorry to hear of your prolonged discomfort and the increasing severity of your symptoms. Degenerative disc disease can be very disabling and obtaining appropriate treatment is significant.

The three level discectomy done 8 weeks ago may not have been sufficient in resolving your pain and the next step is usually to proceed with a fusion to be certain that all disc material is removed and to stabilize the spine to prevent further injury/complications.

I am not familiar with any fusion procedures being done endoscopically as normally the placement of needed hardware would require a more open operative field.  Newer surgical approaches done endoscopically may be able to achieve similar results with less complications than the more utilized open procedure.
Postop recovery may be easier as there is less incisional pain, less probability of postop infection etc.  Decisions regarding which approach is most successful in achieving successful fusion need to be evaluated carefully.  It might be beneficial to obtain a second opinion from a neurosurgeon using the more common open procedure.  You would be able to do a "pro" and "con" list for each approach and make an informed decision based on your personal needs.

Postop recovery in either approach in terms of nerve recovery may be very similar. Rejuvenation of nerve tissue can take up to a year or longer for optimal recovery and there is the potential for residual pain to exist independent of the surgical approach.

I am six months postop anterior cervical discectomy and fusion C4-C7 and the conventional open procedure was done secondary to the presence of bone spurs and other degenerative changes requiring a larger operative field.  My fusion procedure was very successful and I have no significant pain or residuals present at this time, I am very pleased with the results of my fusion and would not hesitate to have it done again if needed.  Perhaps one day the endoscopic approach may be available for cervical spine fusions as well.

Either way, it appears fusion surgery is your best option at this time.  I wish you all the best and hope that your recovery is as successful as mine.

Best wishes and keep us posted on your progress ----