Has anyone had spinal fusion or laser spine surgery?

[magic8ball]

I'm going to need one or the other

Physical therapy has helped for 6 years but it's no longer working.

The pain, weakness, and numbness the last five months is getting to be more than I can stand.

I know one guy that had fusion. He said it was worth it but the rehab was quite unpleasant.

I came here hoping to hear from a few more that have dealt with this issue.

 

[Get Buckets]

I'm going to need one or the other

Physical therapy has helped for 6 years but it's no longer working.

The pain, weakness, and numbness the last five months is getting to be more than I can stand.

I know one guy that had fusion. He said it was worth it but the rehab was quite unpleasant.

I came here hoping to hear from a few more that have dealt with this issue.

Here is a thread from earlier in the year if you haven’t seen it.

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/anyone-had-a-spinal-fusion-done.149709/

 

[magic8ball]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

I never expected a thread on this to already be out there.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

(Long)

So I posted a bunch in the last thread.....had a laminectomy in December instead of a fusion which I was originally slated for. Worked great and I wish I had done it years ago. Ask your doc if you’re a candidate for one. I had done injections and pt for 5 years and it worked for me up until the last year or so when it became life-alteringly bad.

I had brutal sciatica for years that got progressively worse from a herniated L5S1. Was slated for an anterior fusion through Leatherman Spine in Louisville. My Dr (who was fantastic) opted to do another scan and decided lesser laminectomy. Left the disc alone completely (no discectomy) because it had calcified in place enough.

Bottom line: woke up with no sciatic pain whatsoever and have not had any since. Miracle of modern science. Had some weird nerve sensations for a week but that was it. Off pain meds (had been on for a long time) in 2 days. Was back at work in 6 days (albeit no lifting or twisting whatsoever for 6 weeks).

Feel great, hit golf balls once a week or so for the last month, hope to get out soon. I’ll have to have a fusion at some point in the future, maybe a couple years or maybe a decade. Both discs are still degenerative and compressed, I still get sore in my lower back but most importantly no sciatica. Bought myself some time for sure.

Hope that helps.

 

[magic8ball]

Thanks, Rex! I just finished the thread.

I'm glad to know there are options out there other than fusion.

My issue is degenerative disc disease at C7.

I'm getting a new MRI next Saturday. My PT thinks there is more going on now than when I had my last one since I'm not getting any better this time. I can barely lift a gallon of milk with my left arm.

 

[Chuckinden]

Tiger Woods

 

[wildcatdon]

Bigdaddy I had a fusion and am glad I did. Physical therapy exercises are rather simple and I even opted for dry needling to get the scar tissue broken and blood flowing and it did help a lot. I am talking after the surgery. I am very glad I had mine. it was L5S1 and the pain was ridiculous. Had a spinal stenosis surgery two years before in 2012 but more problems were discovered , thus the second surgery. Playing golf just like I used to and moving pretty well. good luck.

 

[magic8ball]

Bigdaddy I had a fusion and am glad I did. Physical therapy exercises are rather simple and I even opted for dry needling to get the scar tissue broken and blood flowing and it did help a lot. I am talking after the surgery. I am very glad I had mine. it was L5S1 and the pain was ridiculous. Had a spinal stenosis surgery two years before in 2012 but more problems were discovered , thus the second surgery. Playing golf just like I used to and moving pretty well. good luck.

Thanks for the information.

I’m getting a new MRI this Saturday

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

That was my thread. It has been a little over 2 years since my cervical fusion and over a year and a half since my lumbar fusion. I haven't really had any nerve pain since both procedures. I have less range of motion in my neck that sometimes gives me headaches if my head is in the wrong position to long (like tilted down reading). While my lower back feels better without the nerve pain, it did cause me to not be able to do a lot of things I used to do.

I am basically permanently disabled from my issues. I'm not supposed to do any lifting over like 20 pounds, no repetitive bending, and no sitting (mainly in hard seats) or standing for very long. I just helped my wife paint my living room (normally a simple task) last weekend and was miserable that night and the next day from it. Unfortunately, my situation was a damned if you don't, damned if you do one. It relieved the severity of my pains, but took away most of what I could do previously. I'd still do it again if I had to do it all over.

Just be prepared for it to be potentially life changing. You may not be able to work like you currently do and end up less useful around the house and doing hobbies you once did. You could also be right back to doing everything you were doing before the surgery. Everyone is different and some results are better or worse after surgery.

 

[magic8ball]

Thanks KyCatFan. I was hoping to hear from you after reading your thread.

I have a supervisor job so I don't think it would affect my job.

I'm hoping there may be a lower risk procedure that will help my issues.