<p>I had a Lumbar Micro Disectomy on a L4-L5 herniated disc in Nov. 2008. I was in minimal pain leading up to the surgery but I had a dropped right foot and foot numbness and that’s why I elected to proceed with the surgery. Recovery seemed to be going along okay but then after about 5 or 6 weeks I developed burning in both legs, feet, and toes. I’ve been through PT on several occasions (including water PT) and tried accupuncture and the epidural steroid injections, but cannot get rid of this painful low back pain and leg/foot burning. I am not one to pop pills, particularly pain killers. I was taking Neurontin (for nerve pain), but finally that stopped giving me the relief I needed, even at 2400 mgs. per day.</p>
<p>Yesterday my pain management doctor said I might be a candidate for a spinal fusion on L4-L5. Have any of you had a back fusion and how were the results?</p>
<p>I had a spinal fusion between L4 and L5 almost 22 years ago. It was a tremendous relief. After a 6 week recovery I have had virtually no problems since. As I have aged, I will occasionally feel a bit of tightness in the area if I have overdone things - I think it’s a bit of arthritis, but nothing major.</p>
<p>You sound alot like my mom. She has 4 disks (one in lower back and 3 in neck) that are hurniated.</p>
<p>anyway, i saw on tv a type of PT that could possibly work, but for the life of me i can’t remember the name. </p>
<p>Hmmmm… I know they put you on a board and the board goes up and down (slowly of course) and supposibly its supposed to realign anything that has slipped out or hurniated.</p>
<p>I never heard about having to have the whole back done. </p>
<p>Shortly after the surgery I did have an additional herniated disc- not as bad as the l4-5 one. But this was because almost immediately after the surgery I became pregnant and rapidly gained 75 pounds. With the relatively new healing and the excess weight, I popped another disc. I did not need surgery for that one and it has been fine all the years since.</p>
<p>I also had a partial laminectomy/partial discotomy (L-5. S-1) in 1996. Then had spinal fusion 8 years later (summer of 2004). It was not easy, don’t get me wrong, but after wearing my back brace for 3 months immediately pos-surgery (which was NOT FUN), things have been generally good. I have low back muscle tightness if I over-do, but can generally work that out on my own.</p>
<p>It’s not true that once you get a fusion, you end up having to have your whole back done. It can put additional stress on the joint immediately adjacent, and you DO need to do PT and continue focusing on back/abdominal strength. Best to you!</p>
<p>That’s because it is not done. Surgery to correct scoliosis nothwithstanding, think about what happens with spinal fusion and how movement would be affected if the whole back was done.</p>
<p>I am fused from T9 to L4 with instructmentation (2 rods). Had the surgery in 2001 for scoliosis. the surgery was hard, recovery long and difficult. BUT needed to be done and worth it. I’ve had good results, have developed arthritis in the areas at the top and bottom of the fusion but that was expected (and its manageable).</p>
<p>My 19 year old daughter had double spinal fusion (L-4 to L-5 and L-5 to S-1?) in December. She had severe spondylolisthesis from a couple of stress fractures in her vertebrae likely from years of playing soccer (also common in gymnasts and linebackers). For her surgery they had to go thru the front and the back. The surgery lasted over 5 hours and she spent 5 days in the hospital. She went back to college (over an hour away) 4 weeks after surgery. She was cleared to do “whatever she wants” in June. She is currently working at a summer job standing for 8 hours without pain (although the metal in her back feels cold when it gets cold at night). She does a lot of pilates and yoga. The doctor said it is very important to keep fit and not to gain weight because there is a chance that she will have a problem with the disc above in the future. But he said likely it wouldn’t be for 20 years or so.</p>
<p>As I already mentioned, they will do significant surgical coverage for scoliosis. But they will not do the “whole back” or even a significant portion of adjacent vertebrae for herniated dics. And getting lumbar or cervical spine fusion certainly does not cause the need for later fusion of the “whole back” as mentioned by a previous poster.</p>
<p>So what kind of doc do you go to , to get treatment for scoliosis?
I have osteoporosis ( premenopausal), scoliosis and a great deal of pain( probably fibromyalgia) , but my dr doesn’t think I need a referral to anyone. ( I am seeing a rheumatologist)</p>
<p>Thank you for the scoliosis links. We just found out that our daughter needs to wear a brace. I’m determined to remain positive and upbeat for her, realizing that many parents face problems worse than this. At the same time, the only thing she really cares about right now (she’s 12) is what she looks like and a brace wasn’t part of that picture. Of course, we’re emphasizing the importance of thinking long term and hoping for the best.</p>
<p>I’ve basically decided to put the blinders on and move forward with her wearing the brace as much as possible. Every once in awhile I do a little internet research, but sadly I don’t usually like what I find. But still, it is good to be informed. Thank you.</p>
<p>Hi tired already,
I’m sorry I didn’t come across your post earlier. My D2 went through bracing at around that age. She avoided surgery, thank goodness, and while the brace was a struggle at times, it now seems like ancient history. She talked about the brace in one of her college essays last year, and has made her peace with the while experience.</p>
<p>I recommend this website, especially if your daughter or you might benefit from on online community like CC that would help you with day to day issues with scoliosis.</p>
<p>I would also look at disc replacement before electing fusion. Can really enhance mobility. It’s standard now in several European countries including Germany. They are way ahead of us.</p>
<p>My daughter’s surgeon recommended the disc replacement but the insurance (Blue Shield) absolutely refused to pay for it. We even offered to pay for the actual artificial disc or whatever difference in price there might be (we were told it might be about $10,000) . There argument was that if something goes wrong it is more complicated to go in and take it out. I am not sure whether or not that is valid.</p>