Fusion and decompression

[thenunn]

Hi all ,I am looking at a fusion and decompression on my back . I'm weighing up pros and cons and can i hope on ,should I hope on or get it done.

I'm just wondering what others feel after having these ops, how they decided,do the regret are they over the moon .

thanks group

[Disabled_Guy]

Hi thenunn I’ve had this operation and it’s a big op. You’ll need physio afterwards It took the pressure of the nerves that were pressing on for me but I had a few things that didn’t make it as clean as it should of been like a spinal fluid leak which meant laying flat for 2 days and nerve damage but I was unfortunate it doesn’t mean everyone will be. Whatever you choose I hope you get the relief from pain. Take care.

[TBird13]

Hi thenunn I had this operation 14 months ago and I had over 9 hours surgery. Mine was due to kyphosis and a spinal stroke and I was gradually deteriorating. My surgeon suggested this surgery but on two occasions I declined the offer as I was terrified of the risks. As the use of my legs deteriorated further I was advised that unless I had the operation I would eventually be a full time wheelchair user so I felt at that point I had nothing to lose as whilst the operation wouldn’t gain back anything I had lost it would buy me time at the level I am now. After the operation the pain was unbearable for sometime and I was totally reliant upon the help of my family. I was prescribed oramorph and tramadol for the pain which really helped. I am now walking quite well with crutches and have just started physio so I’m hoping to make further improvement. I have been left with nerve damage on the right hand side of my stomach, weakness in both legs and my balance is not too good but the pain management team, Neurologist and Surgeon have been as helpful as they can be. It’s a massive decision for you to make but all you can do is weigh up the pros and cons and do the best thing for you. Whatever you decide I wish you the best of luck.

[Hidden]

Hi, Ive had two fusions on my low back. Metal plate and screws over L3-L5. I wish I had looked at other options before agreeing to do them. I had the first one done in 2007 and it lasted until 2016. Then I got pain going down both legs and had to have the two fusion discs redone to covering three discs. It only lasted a year and now I am back with low back pain but not going down the legs. I requested a referral to the UW Madison for Radiofrequency Ablation instead of surgery. It kills the nerves and can last awhile before the nerves grow back. Its out patient procedure. Had I known this before I would have chosen this. Another procedure they have now is stem cell injections. Good luck!

[gamesamui]

Hello, I went into theatre for a double fusion on my back, but was cancelled last minute as the pain was worse on my left, they said it should have been on the right !! I've been in pain for 7 years now, constant, sometimes ok, mostly horrible. Tried everything, but looking back now I'd be reserved about the op now as there are horror stories out there. Sorry but true. Unless you can't cope, I'd think seriously about it. Have you tried trigger point therapy, jacuzzi baths and vaporized cannabis or oils, they're the only things that I've discovered and have worked. 3 things out of roughly a 100. Hope this helps, and all goes well. Richard.

[thenunn]

hello everyone,thank you for your comments ..im so sorry to hear of the bad times you've all had...but it has made me decide maybe the decompression but no to the fusion. Ive done so much reading and lets say you are in the majority with your answers !

thank you all once again x