TLIF spinal fusion surgery

[Kimi9]

Hi I'm new to this community.

I've had neck problems for about 9 years, and more recently have been experiencing lower back problems, both causing chronic pain, and numbness/tingling in foot, toes, calf, and one arm and fingers and lower arm.

My symptoms have been getting much worse this year, and since the start of the first lockdown, I have had MRI scans again on my neck and lower spine, and have had 2 face to face appointments with my consultant spinal surgeon, who I am now under.

I have been advsied that I need a TLIF surgery on L5 S1 with spinal fusion, which he has said is urgent, but said when I saw him in May that he wanted to delay this for up to 6 months due to the risks of Covid (I also have COPD), as well as surgery on c5 c6 for neck problems.

I had a telephone consultatation with Mr Verghese on Wed this week, and he has now advised that as my symptoms are still worsening, that he feels I urgently need the TLIF surgery asap.

I was wondering if anyone has experience in either of these 2 surgeries? And if anyone has undergone any of these procedures during this pandemic?

I am concerned about my physical/mobility/pain levels after my surgery, as well as the added risk of Covid?

[Antigua1979]

Hi Kimi, I haven’t personally had this surgery but I have a very good friend who has had cervical spine rods applied about five years ago after her cervices spine became unstable due to degenerative disease.,She was in a lot of pain Pre op and was passing out when standing. She was also getting bladder issues and nerve pain.

She has limited movement now due to the rods but is far more comfortable than she was pre op. Her badder issues have unfortunately not been resolved and she is on gabapentine for nerve pain.

She too has spinal stenosis but they are unlikely to operate again as I think anaesthetising her would be of issue.

I too have has spinal surgery for a spinal tumour in 2013 and the post op pain was bearable. I had a morphine drip whilst I was on the high dependency ward and do remember having low level headaches which soon resolved themselves over the next few days. Having to lie flat with one very flat pillow felt a bit odd too as did the dizziness when slowly sitting up, but all these things were bearable. I understand it’s fear of the unknown.

I too have parathesia in my feet and legs which are especially bad at night.

I take Pregabalin for my nerve pain which takes the edge off of it.

Ask your Consultant as many questions as you feel you need to.

Good luck.

[Kimi9 in reply to Antigua1979]

Thank you for your reply, I have had another face to face appointment on 22nd December, and been advised that my TLIF spinal fusion surgery is going to be in March, and he's advised me to prepare myself for the surgery, and post op too.How did your friend manage after the surgery with normal everyday tasks? Was it as much as a problem as i'm envisaging, or was it manageable?

Lying flat certainly does seem a strange concept to me too, but as you said, I suppose you get used to it. It's so good to hear that despite the limited spinal movement that your friend now has, that she is still glad that she had the operation. I'm certainly hoping for similar results.