Spinal Fusion: Relief or Regrets?

I had a spinal fusion (plus other works) 17 years ago. Prior to the surgery I would have considered myself disabled, the pain was so severe.
My surgery took almost 7 hours but it gave me my life back. I wouldn't hesitate to have the surgery again

From what I’ve read it’s a very simple surgery, I have something similar to you (slipped disk and severe sciatica) and I’m in agony and nearly disabled from the pain these past 4 months. I’m hoping I can do the surgery on the NHS soon. Two friends have had it done and they had their lives back afterwards, don’t hesitate do it!!

Spinal fusion very simple surgery? You probably mean discectomy Dilly, as spinal fusion is the last resort in back operations. Only recommended for the most severe cases, as per my DH’s consultant.

I had a laminectomy and a spinal fusion 40 years ago. I am not completely without pain as I have a tendency to get a lot of scar tissue but the difference it has made to my life is unbelievable. One of the problems you get from a spinal fusion is that there is often wear between where the spine still moves and the fusion. I wouldn't think twice about having a fusion again. The pain I was in which was going to leave me in a wheelchair, unable to bear children (I've borne 4) and a host of other problems you get when you are unable to be active made it worth the risk.

BlueSky ah, my mistake. I’m dyslexic and muddle things up, I just checked my NHS letter and you are correct!

I had this surgery in 2007 and have had no problems at all, I felt relief immediately I woke up from surgery with no pain at all, a blessed relief after 20 years plus of suffering.

Thanks Dilly my DH was due to have a laminectomy, the second step up the scale, but the op was cancelled because of Covid. Last year the consultant opted for a nerve block procedure only as his back had improved on its own. It’s still ongoing and may possibly still need one of the ops in the future. Nanamar please get a second opinion before going ahead.

BlueSky did the nerve block help? I had one for migraines a few years ago which landed me in the A&E as I felt like I was dying afterwards.
I opted given the choice to go straight for surgery. Did you DH find the nerve block helpful or not really?

I had 3 nerve blocks none helped at all.

Dilly the spinal root block helped to a certain extent. He was expecting to have more of same, but the consultant said that they only offer one on the NHS. As the same guy also works privately, I’m sure he could have more if he paid. So it’s still ongoing.

I had a spinal fusion 2 years ago (1 week before lockdown!).
If you think about what the problem is (nerve compression because of crumbling bones!) you can see how individual each person is. You need an experienced spinal surgeon to look at the MRI and give you an opinion as to the best course of action.
Up to a point it is worth seeking another opinion, but be careful! In such situations there often isn't an absolute answer, but deciding on the best chances. Your GP will be best placed to help you decide about another opinion - they know the surgeons and have a holistic view. Another helpful professional might be a physiotherapist who specialises in back problems.
Obviously your surgeon has decided that an epidural is worth a try, and how well it works will be useful information.
I'm sure you realise that the surgery will not completely fix the problem, but should be considered if the surgeon thinks it would be helpful

In my case, the pain significantly improved, and so did my walking gait, although generalised arthritis means it isn't good, and some of my continuing problems are down to that arthritis, so please bear that in mind:
With norwegian poles I can walk about 2 miles - slowly, I take about 30 minutes to do a mile on the level.
I can't stand still for longer than about 10 minutes, but if moving about, say when I'm cooking, I can be on my feet for 40-50 minutes.
I have been told not to swim, other than the occasional length 'for old times' sake' but I do water walking & exercising and find it very helpful.
I am mostly pain free, but have relatively little strength for lifting and carrying.

I hope that helps

I have dreadful back pain which has been diagnosed as arthritis. But I've been denied an MRI scan on the grounds that I had one when I had my tia and too many scans are not good. Personally I think ageism is at play here because I am in my mid eighties. So I just have to live with pain killers and rest.

Thank you BlueSky and LadyGracie that is helpful. I think I shall stick to my guns and go with the surgery. I’ve been miserable with pain, and if the nerve block doesn’t work I don’t wasn’t to delay the surgery or worse still be bumped off the list.

Nanamar I hope you are able to have the surgery and all goes well, chronic pain takes over your life, I hope we are both pain free soon ?

henetha

I have dreadful back pain which has been diagnosed as arthritis. But I've been denied an MRI scan on the grounds that I had one when I had my tia and too many scans are not good. Personally I think ageism is at play here because I am in my mid eighties. So I just have to live with pain killers and rest.

I can only think that ageism must be at play here. My son has had 3 or 4 MRI's now for his back problems and there hasn't been any talk about limiting them.

Nanamar, I had a spinal fusion 35years ago after years of pain and limited movement, my vertebrae had slipped over another. I had lots of procedures , injections , back brace. Traction. Physio. Nothing helped until a wonderful surgeon did an MRI scan with dye and he saw the problem immediately,
I had the fusion , I was on my back for 8 weeks , but it worked, apart from some pain if I do to much gardening, I am pain free ,
If I hadn’t had the op , the outcome would have been in a wheelchair unable to walk because of pain, so have the op is my advise. Talk to your GP about it , it changed my life. I am active, I play golf 2/3 times a week , I go swimming ,, Good Luck

Thanks you icanhandthemback. That bears out exactly what I have suspected.
I do hope your son can get his back problems sorted out properly.

Henetha yes why on earth a few MRI’s won’t be good for you, when they don’t even use Xrays?

Perhaps I should ask again? But would I really want surgery at my age? Nevertheless, I would really like to know what is going on with my spine.

Henetha if that was the case then they should just say that surgery is not recommended over a certain age. But I do sympathise as I see what my DH goes through.

Thank you BlueSky. I rarely get to see a doctor, so it's quite difficult to ask anything (although we have recently been told they will try to make appointments easier to get now).
It sounds like your DH has awful problems, my sympathy to him.

Thanks Henetha it seems that with back pain some procedures work on some people and don’t on others. Keep trying, I know at times it’s just pot luck even to be seen by a specialist.

Henetha, can you clarify who denied you an MRI? If it was your GP, he shouldn't be making that decision but there is a drive to save money from the professionals. If you feel that you should have one, you can ask a physiotherapist to refer or a Consultant. If you haven't seen one of those professionals, push for that. You can also push to see a Pain Control Specialist for a nerve block and it is possible they can send you for an MRI. If you are struggling to see anybody because of ageism, write a letter mentioning that; you'd probably see some action then!

Thank you Nannarose and Lilypops for sharing your experiences. I remember when DH was considering the surgery and reading so many precautions - odds that it wouldn’t help, impact on other vertebrae that may necessitate further surgery, etc. He decided to go ahead after talking with someone who had had it but then never did because of his cancer. To me, the docs can quote you all the details and risks, etc. - and of course everyone’s spine is different! - but hearing directly from people who’ve done it is so helpful -especially re golfing which I stopped before lockdown and didn’t resume d/t DH’s illness and been hesitant to try again. I have a consult scheduled with the neurosurgeon who was going to do DH’s procedure - I’ve moved 3000 miles away from where we lived but am going to visit friends back there next month and made an appt with him, bringing my MRI on a disc. I also have an old friend here (I had totally forgotten she had the surgery) who has recommended her surgeon. Part of my hesitation is emotional - I live with my son and his family which would appear ideal given that they can help me but I was my DH’s carer during his 5 years of illness and I dread putting someone else in that same position for me.

Hello everyone
I'm 54 and had spinal fusion 9 yrs ago ,never had so much pain and was desperately trying to have a normal life unfortunately after the operation it left me with same pain and added pain in both legs, I've recently had spinal cord stimulater fitted and after two weeks my stimulater was turned on ,I was speechless with my daughter in tears to see me finally in less pain and walked out of the hospital without my crutches. Its been 5 months now and I can play with the grandchildren. I wished my surgery happened many years before but totally understand NHS waiting lists are enormous but it's the best thing I've had and would recommend anyone suffering to do normal everyday activities to look into this type of pain relief, It can change your life .