anterior,posterior fusion with rods

    
      Re: anterior,posterior fusion with rods
    


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Posted by CCF NEUROSURGERY MD on September 19, 1997 at 11:25:46:

In Reply to: anterior,posterior fusion with rods posted by John More on September 15, 1997 at 21:20:59:

: In 1978 I had a fusion at L6,S1. In 6/96 I had a decomresion at L2,L3,L4 for spinal stenosis
  Felt good went back to work 12/96. In my job I bend- over, lift and twist at
  the  waist. In 8hrs I lift between 5-7 ton by hand. By 5/97 I had disc herniation at L1-2,L2-3,L4-5,
  disk space narrowing and degeneration at T12-L1, retrolisthesis at L2-3 and 7mm.instability at L2-3
  Now they say my only choice is anterior,posterior fusion with rods.Is this my only choice? What will my limitations be after surgery.
  
                                     THANK YOU
                                    JOHN MORE
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Dear John,
You have a difficult situation.  It sounds like the previous two surgeries
were done for the right reasons, but you have progressive instability of the
lumbar spine.  This can be resolved with a fusion procedure, which is what
your surgeon has recommended.  This is not unreasonable.  This risk is that,
over time, your retrolisthesis will progress and eventually cause neurological
deficits.  You may opt not to have surgery, in which case you should be
followed by your surgeon for worsening of the retrolisthesis or pain and
leg weakness.  
The physical exertion of your occupation is not helping matters.  Given your
history of multiple surgeries and persisting back problems you should
give serious consideration to getting away from the heavy lifting.  It is
undoubtedly contributing to your problems.  
Should you choose surgery, recovery time is usually about a week in the
hospital, and a plastic lumbar brace is usually worn for approximately
three months after surgery.  Of course, no physical exertion would be
allowed for this time.  You should consider a less strenuous vocation
regardless of whether you choose surgery.
All of your questions should be answered by your surgeon prior to
surgery to avoid the unexpected.
Good luck.