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Spinal Fusion: Relief or Regrets?

(29 Posts)
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Nanamar Mon 06-Jun-22 18:08:46

Apologies for assuming that there is someone in this age group who, like me in my 70s, has arthritis which has adversely impacted my spine. I hope instead that you’re all avid runners and golfers and have no aches and pains. Unfortunately I do and the orthopaedist said that my MRI results indicate slippage of my vertebrae among other things including nerve compression resulting in pain along one side of my body. The “only way to fix” this is spinal fusion a procedure about which I have VERY SERIOUS reservations. I will be receiving an epidural injection to see if that helps and will be seeking second, perhaps third, opinions but wondered if anyone out there has had this surgery and lived to tell about it. Ironically my late DH was scheduled to have it in 2016 but never did because preliminary tests revealed lung cancer which eventually killed him. He had already had one less invasive back surgery (doc says I’m not a candidate for that) and a number of interventions that weren’t able to alleviate his pain so he decided to have the procedure.

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Luckygirl3 Tue 07-Jun-22 14:49:03

Had the nerve block - no help - then microdiscectomy 2 weeks ago - I am walking without crutches and eye-watering pain for the first time in ages. Still in pain at night.

Fusion is the next step on the road if this does not keep.

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henetha Tue 07-Jun-22 18:42:05

It was my GP, icanhandthemback. It was she who made the remark about not having too many scans. I did ask to be referred and she sent me to the physiotherapist at my local hospital where I had six weeks of physio.
He confirmed that he thought it was arthritis and sent me back to my GP who then sent me for another six weeks of physio. At present I'm having twelve weeks of 'Strength and Balance ' exercise classes. So at least I am well exercised, but still in pain!

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icanhandthemback Tue 07-Jun-22 19:23:22

henetha, when you've done what they've prescribed, if you are still in pain, you can insist that you are seen by someone who can give you the imaging you need. Of course, it may not be possible to fix the problem with surgery. My mother has stenosis and it would be too risky to operate. However, her pain levels in the spine have reduced so she is only taking Gabapentin for it. At one time she was on Fentanyl and her GP took her off it...I now know why drug addicts find it hard to go come off their fix.

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