I'm having a L5-S1 Spinal fusion next week. Anybody have anything good to say about it ? From what I read, I'm making a very big mistake.

[Piper_Cub]

[earthwitch]

Its a big move. If you really aren't sure, see if you can either discuss it urgently with your doctor, or defer the operation for a month or two to give you more time to make a properly informed decision. Even talking with your GP might help if you can tell them why you are having doubts now.

[Fedupwithmybackpain]

Hi there, I had fusion done on my back in 2010, following a car crash that left me with a torn disc. It took 3 yrs to find the torn disc and countless MRI and finally a discography in dec 2009. For about 2 years after the op I was quite mobile though with high pain, unfortunately the pain has got worse, currently had a bone scan done and waiting for the result and a meeting with my surgeon.had to stop taking medications Tramadol,Cocdamol,Naproxen as I got addicted and started getting confused, aggressive forgetful, into the second month drugfree but the pain is killing me. I will say I am glad I had the fusion done, there are advancements all the time so stay positive I am hoping the surgeon identifies the source of my pain ,I have been told that where the screws put to fuse the disc could now be arthritic, nonetheless I am still optimistic as I was in a wheelchair before the op but not currently as a result though,if this continues I might end up back there.

[DoctorAdrienYouell]

Don't do it. Pretty startling from a doctor specialised in neuropathology, who is Internet 'Resident' doctor with some severe lumbar & neck pain recently. My worldwide 'patients' have constant spinal pain requiring Morphine after surgery (some admittedly botched). I am the best off of all my 100 patients, I do not have post-surgical pain. The NHS did me a favour by taking so long my spine showed progressive spinal damage, Scheuermann's Osteochondritis.

This means that if you have L5-S1 condition it may be the progressive type and more vertebrae may fracture? NO.

Adrien

[Janepepper]

My fusion was a disaster. Once he had done it, my surgeon lost interest. He even wrote me a letter saying surgery went fine, but by the way, when they did my last MRI scan, the radiographer noticed that I had a brain tumour! (By the way!?). But last week I met with a friend who had the same surgery and she says it has saved her life! I guess it depends on your surgeon. The nuts and bolts only have to be a mm out of place and it's agony!