Spinal fusion, anyone had it...?

[Smee]

So after three boring years of back problems, they've decided nothing is going to work apart from surgery and are suggesting spinal fusion. Sounds scary to me, but then again I'm sick of being in constant pain. Anybody got any experience/ wisdom. I would so love to hear - positive and negative welcome!

Not me, but a friend had this done and she is doing really well now.
She needed it after a car accident (i think) but got pg, so had to put it off, was on crutches during pg, could only walk holding onto the buggy (like a zimmer frame) after baby was born.
Had it about a year ago now (start of last summer), was laid up more than she expected to be though and needed help at home, esp with her DD. Got pg with no 2, was fine, no back probs at all. had baby (yesterday!) and expects no further problems.

She says it was definitely a good decision, though it sounded so scary.

Thanks JKS - that's great for your friend and sounds like a good outcome. I wish I needed something simpler like having my appendix out where there's no question and you just have to have it done. Anyone else got any wisdom/ experiences, I'd v.much appreciate it.

My mum had her spine fused, it wasn't a success but that
was a long time ago. I also injured my back prior to my first
pregnancy. 11 years later I found a Sports Medicine practitioner that identified my progressive back pain as an
unstable sacrioiliac joint and lower lumber spine. My back muscles were not functioning equally to hold my spine in
place. By the time I saw this osteo/chiro/muscle specialist
my pelvis had twisted and I was walking with a limp.
He manipulated my skeleton/pelvis and tailored a physiotherapy programme, and gave me core stability exercises. I do not have any problems now.
Spinal fusion is scary. What is wrong with your back?

Hi Smee

Not sure if you have made any decissions about your back, but I had my spine fused last May, best thing I ever had done. This was the 2nd spine op, first was in 2000 when I had part of a slipped disc removed, all was well even during my 1st pregnancy no chronic back pain. Then within weeks of giving birth I was back having physio this went on and off for a year, physio was convinced this was nothing to do with my disc, in the end I contacted my surgeon went to see him, had an MRI scan which showed there was no healty part of my disc left which had been left in during the 1st op. Only option now was having my spine fused, so I went for it. Went in on a Monday morning, and was home by the Friday morning. Had to have help all the time for 6 weeks, as wasnt able to lift my 18 month old son, but it was worth it.

Hope this helps you decide

Dad has his done.. he is now a very happy chappie
HTH

Sorry I didn't reply. I didn't realise anyone had posted me back - d'oh!
Nicki + BCNS HOORAY - thanks so much. Amazing to hear positive stories, as basically I have to have it done. My bottom disc is so badly corroded that there's not a lot left. I have lousy sciatic pain all the way down to my foot and horrendous lower back pain to add to the joy. I've tried everything conservative they can throw at me, so this really is the only thing left.
Nicki, how bad was the post operative period? I'm ready for the pain and discomfort as something I have to get through, but were you stuck inside, or did you manage to walk relatively quickly? I've got a 4yr old that I know all of this will effect, so it would be great to be able to walk him the half a mile to school and pick him up - that sort of practical thing would mean a lot to him I'm sure. Are you totally pain free now or do you still struggle a bit?

• any wisdom from your dad BCNS would be much appreciated. I want to be as prepared and realistic about it as I can be. Thanks again though all of you.

My DH had his done 2 years ago. His symptoms were exactly as you describe yours to be Smee.
Post op he did not find the pain to be too bad and he was on his feet and mobile around the house a lot earlier and easier than we had anticipated . It was a great success, he does have pain from time to time but nothing nearly like it had been prior to surgery.
They did recommend walking as much as you can as they feel it is beneficial.
Anything you need to know please ask ..
Good luck .

I'll ask him tomorrow

Thanks BCNS, that's more than kind.

• Babbi too, thank you - really good to hear another positive story. Did your DH do anything to prepare for the op? I'm doing pilates to try to regain some core strength, but it makes the pain worse. Surgeon thinks I should continue as he says it's important to be as strong as possible, so I'm going to try and add some gentle swimming in too. Any ideas on ways to go into it from your DH would be great. I will aim to be as successful as he has been