question concerning fusion

[adams01]

I will be having lumbar spinal fusion on Oct.2, 2007. I am waiting for the doctor to call and answer a few more questions, but until then I hope maybe someone can help me.  My spinal fusion is for L4-L5 is that considered a one level or two level fusion?

[mike1105]

two level---ie one disk will be removed and two levels fused.

[maysam]

I just had a l4-l5 fusion done in July and my doctor called it a one level??

[mike1105]

its just semantics. 2 level=2 bones=1 disc to me. depending on what the word "level" refers to. If it refers to disc, then you had one level f it refers to bone, then you had 2 levels... i personally like it better when the word "levels" refers to bone. what is most descriptive is the L4 L5 part. It means you had 2 vertebrae fused together, and one disc removed.

[insider101]

I'm having this in two weeks at L-4 L-5 - how have others done post op?  I'm very worried about complications after.

[krndhn]

I had  an L4-L5 fusion done in Dec 1995.  I was then 52 years old.  I'm a very active person, and was right back to doing heavy outside work, lifting and hauling, etc. within 6 weeks and haven't stopped since.  2 years post surgery I worked in a plant nursery unloading trucks and hauling large potted  trees 8 hours a day. (Did I mention I am a 110 lb. female)?  It's the kind of outdoors work I love.  I'm still working the same way at 65, though only at home.

HOWEVER.....I have recently been experiencing some back pain and other symptoms that lead me to an pain management orthopedist.  She did an MRI which showed stenosis and weakening at the above and below fusion level, which she said is normal because that is what's taking the "load" now. The hardware is still in place and looked fine.  My surgeon 13 years ago told me I might get 5--8 pain-free years from the surgery providing I was careful (I don't think he was referring to my kind of "careful" though)!! LOL!  So  I consider myself fortunate that I got many more years tout of the surgery than the average person did.  And I sure didn't sit around doing needlepoint!!

My son who is 45 recently had the very same procedure done at the same spine clinic just 5 wks ago, and is doing quite well also.  He weighs over 220 though, and I guess that's the reason he was put in a spine brace after the surgery, which he still is supposed to wear when he is walking.  He's had no complications since surgery, nor did I.  I hope this eases your mind about the after effects, and is a hopeful piece of info.  I wish you the best - let me know how the surgery worked for you.

[cat9841]

I had a spinal fusion Dec 20, 5 months ago and I am almost back to normal. they said no lifting, twisting or bending, but within 2 weeks I was bending down to feed my cats. I think its a hard surgery and a slow recovery, but I am fine now and glad I did it and its over. I was in bed all last summer and today I can live my life somewhat normally, I just do it slower and shorter than say 10 years ago, but its much better than spending all my time in bed. I had very bad pain. I had L4 and L5, its a one level surgery. I got a brace to wear for 6 months and believe me its your friend, but I am not at 6 months yet and I don't hardly ever wear it now. I hope to God it holds and I don't need another surgery, but it did give me my life back. good luck to you.
CAT