Anyone with spondylothesis ver go through the fusion

[David98446]

I have Spondylothesis from birth and the orthopedic doc wants to cut and put the metal in as supports, I also have a disc that has herniated because of this problem at L4 wondered with all the bad stuff you hear about back fusion if anyone has any advice?  I am a alittl eworried about back fusion.  I am a non smoker and always have been at 34 years of age and I kinda want totalk to someone who has done this surgery.  Any help would be appreciated.

[rockhanny2]

My daughtetr underwent the spinal fussion 1 year ago today. I was very frightened about getting her the surgery, she was 12 and like lets do this so I can be without pain. Her spinal cord was also being pinched because the space for it was to small. The doctor I took her to initially wanted to scrape out the area to make it bigger and do the spinal fussion. We were very fortunate and are fortunate that we live relatively close to Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota, and that some of the hospitals in my area are affiliated with Mayo. So when I went to make her appointment for a second oppinion, the clinic set it up right away with a traveling Mayo Doctor.

He answered my queastions, had alot of experiance but changed the surgery to taking off the back of the bone and replacing it with a piece of hip bone, the surgery went from one hospitsl of being 5-6 hours to being 7-8 hours, which turned into almost 9 hours day of. Amber now has 4 screws and 2 bars in her lower back, the bone has grown over nicely and the fussion has turned out very well.

  She does from time to time have back pain, however it is treatable with over the counter meds and rest. She has become extremely active again. Being an adult I realize your healing time will be more than a childs. However, considering that Spondyliosthesis can cause life threatening problems with ones kidney's and liver the thought of not doing the surgery should be taken extremely serious.

  I was very scarred and wanted to actually find an alternative to doing the surgery, but the day of the second oppinion, amber had a fall off her cousins upper bunk bed, and in true fashion someone reported that to social services (her father) so the decission for the surgery was not even up to me. The social worker did however take my side as to where I wanted the surgery done.(her father did not want me taking her out of state.)

  My suggestion is to find out what all the complications would be to not having the surgery, I remember being told that if ambers spine moved again that it could cause complications if she ever wanted to have children. But what was frietening to me about having the surgery was that she would lose about 20% mobility in her lower back because of the fusion, I thought that was horrible (I believe it is about 33% for adults) however since she was in constant pain she wasn't doing anything (riding bike jumping on the trampoline playing with friends etc.) that her having lost moblity per say is not an issue because she gained mobility from not being in constant pain.

  I suggest find the best Hospital near you, any surgery has possible complications, but different hospitals and doctors have different results.
If possible go to Mayo Clinic. Life is to short to live it in hello.

[Teneight]

I was browsing came across this forum saw your question and decided to join. Let me start by saying that you should worry. I may sound cynical but after everything I've been through...it's to be expected. It's plausible to say that there are people out there that have had successful surgeries and some who haven't. I fall under the latter category. My ordeal began in 1999. Shortly after the birth of my son. I went to every specialist available in my state. After trying every non-operative measure every doctor I saw recommended surgery for my grade 1 spondy. I just wanted to get rid of the pain so that I could take care of my little one. I had my 1st surgery (fusion&laminectomy) in 2000...4 days after his 1st birthday. After the surgery I felt worse than ever. Months went by and I wasn't getting better. My doctor sent me to a psychiatrist. He thought it was all in my head. Nine months later I landed in the ER. After a CT scan I learned my screws were broken. I now needed a second surgery. I went with a different doctor for the second surgery but I didn't get any better. I went to another doctor and he said I was still in so much pain because my spondy was now a grade 4. I now suffer from flat back syndrome. I have permanent nerve damage and I'm in chronic pain 24/7. I can't work (I was a hairstylist). I can't sit or stand too long. If I walk farther than my drive way I have to use a walker. I've opted out of having a Intrathecal Pump Implant (morphine pump) so I see a pain management doctor once a month for my meds. If I don't find a doctor willing to help me...I don't know what I will do. My son is now 9yrs old and I've missed out on so much. That hurts me more than the pain itself! If I could go back I would do things differently. I would travel out of state if I had to. I would go to a University Hospital in a big city. I would research everything!  I did research my local doctors but there is something that I never thought to do. I never thought to research the hardware they were going to put in me. Has anyone on this forum done that? It just never occurred to me. For some people the damage is done. For those like yourself...don't leave any rock unturned. Research absolutely everything!
I don't know where you live but I have some information on some doctors I've researched for years.

Good Luck

[ShaneL1981]

I just got diagnosed with spondylolthesis and Im in severe pain. My doctor sent me to physical therapy which only made it  worse. I also tried all the other non- surgical ways to help it and nothing worked. My doctor told me to lose weight and it should get better and eventually go away. It has already been a year at this point. Is this true? Can just losing weight and time work? Im thinking she's full of **** but maybe I'm wrong. She also said to just take Ibprofen 800mg for pain. That does absolutly nothing and I told as much and she said that it should be enough and didn't give me anything else. I think it's time for a second opinion. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice for me. Thanks.

[ToolmakerB]

Yes,  losing weight can help, but is not the total answer.  The less you have out front pulling on your spine can lessen the symptoms, but spondy is with you forever.  When I was first diagnosed in the the early 70's my doctor told me to stay as physically fit as possible.  That's easy when your young and in your twenties, now I'm close to sixty and mine has deteriated over the years.  If it ever comes to surgery seek out a neuro surgeon not an orthopedic.  Ortho's main study is the bones, while a neuro specializes in the nerves.  It makes a big difference.

[Jaye528]

I'm hoping by this time you will have made a decision by now.  I am 2 weeks post op anterior/posterior interbody fusion with instrumentation.  I'm hopeful this thing has worked.  At worst, the spacing is correct in my back again as it was bone on bone.  At best, I get my legs working again with no pain.  So far, the pain isn't gone and you can read my post from yesterday on that.

I think it's important that you seek qualified orthopedic and or neurological medical care at this point and not rely on fads, and quacks to heal you. My first diskectomy, I chose a neurosurgeon.  At the time and where we lived, he was the best in the area.  This go round I entrusted an orthopedic surgeon.  No reason why the change, I would have prefered a neuro, but the orhto I did choose is the best in the city. Do some research, ask around. See a scar on someone at the gym, ask them how it got there. There's are always going to only be quick fixes.  Expensive quick fixes.  If you have decent medical insurance and can afford to be out of work for 6 weeks, take it.  You'll need it.

Keep in touch, I'd like to hear how you're doing.  Give me hope as I am still newly post-op and need some rainbow to appear to know I've done the right thing!

Take care!

[jlou55]

Need feedback from anyone with spondolythesis that has gone through fusion surgery.  I am scheduled within the next few months and very nervous.   When I was finally diagnosed I had been in severe pain for a few months.  Currently I have pain under control using massage/yoga therapy but am limited to staying at home most of the time as any form of travel puts me in pain again.

I don't want to live like I am for the rest of my life --- I am 53 and would love to be able to play freely with my grandchildren.  At this time surgery seems to be the only answer but I see so many negative comments.   Is there anyone out there that can give me more information on success stats - possible complications - etc.  

Any info would be appreciated.