Would like to hear some thoughts by others who have had this surgery and thoughts on post surgery recovery. Thank you, memej

I had a successful bi-level ALIF/PLIF (L4 to S1) in summer, 2008 and have been virtually pain-free since. This followed a failed laminectomy/laminotomy at the same levels in 2007. The symptoms returned six weeks, to the day, after that initial surgery.

The fusion itself isn't fun. For me, it was done in two separate installments separated by months. The anterior portion was worse immediately (more post-operative discomfort) but I recovered faster than the posterior procedure, which was far more painful in the immediate weeks afterward.

My surgeon had me wear a fusion-stimulation device for several hours a day, for three months. (an appliance, sort of like a back brace, easily tolerated during sleep). He said it increased the odds of a successful bone graft, so the inconvenience was easily worth it.

My internist says I'm a somewhat unusual case, having almost no pain since the fusions were completed. I worry a little about the possibility of additional disc levels becoming a problem, but so far things are great. I returned to work eight weeks after the last surgery (I also worked between each surgery, not wanting to become dependent on pain meds and determined to maintain a normal life as much as was possible).

Most important thing is to find a surgeon you trust and believe in. I sought several opinions before finding the right guy. Do not be intimidated by any surgeons trying to hurry you along. This is a huge decision, and you're ultimately going to be the one living with the result.

Good luck.

I received a L3/L4/L5 fusion in 1963. Highly successful.

Even survived a 100+mph motorcycle accident. Walked away from it.

But now it appears that I've arrived at being old & have thoracic degeneration "issues" that are giving me leg problems.

I'm seeking information on what happens when the lumbar area has been immobilized & those lumbar forces now get pushed into the thoracic area. After a while (48 years) I suspect the poor ol' thoracic guys are a tad over stressed.

Where do I look for information?

Hi! I had a full spinal fusion back in 06...i was in pain for about 4 yrs after surgery and I finally found out what was going on after yrs of doctors appoinents. I ended up having an infection and had to have another surgery to remove the hardware. I feel a lot better now, but was wondering if any of you had to same problem? My doctor who preformed the surgery said that paitents have been coming back more and more with infection 3-5 yrs afyer the rods have been put in. I also want to know if anyone has heard of any recalls on the titanium rods and screw bc of infection rate? Thank you for your time on reading about my surgery problems.

I read your post and have been taken by surprise!!!! I had lumbar spinal fusion in "06" as well. Had material used to grow bone for fusion. I had gone to see the surgeon for visits with xrays until 2 years after the surgery. The pain never ceased. About a year after the surgery, the doctor suggested looking into the possibility of a spinal cord stimulator.

The surgeon would tell me he could see bone growing and pointing this out in the xrays. I guess I just assumed I fused. Lately, I've been reading about some that never fused. I did see another spine ortopaedic surgeon a little over three years ago, (he was the one I originally wanted; but had to wait a couple of months to see him at the time and the pain was horrible; went to Rush Medical Center, Chicago,IL for the fusion/laminectomy). This doctor did a myleogram and also said no more could be done and referred me to a Pain Specialist.

I have been in terrible pain and take Oxycontin and Oxycodone, vallium and Ambien Cr. Eventually had problem with PN; burning feet, ankles and pain in legs got even worse. Spine pain never went away. Even with a pretty high dose of OxyContin the pain is still really bad. (Did do a failed trial stimulator a little over 2 years ago.

As I mentioned....I was surprised by your post about infection. Never thought an infection was possible; especially this long after surgery. I have not seen a doctor specializing in orthopaedic spine surgery in over 3 years. The Pain Specialist has done several procedures (injections, etc., trial stimulator) but he does not specialize in anything other than pain.

Again, I am taken by surprise and wonder what type of pain you had and how was this infection discovered??? I would appreciate hearing more regarding your experience. Thanks.

Gerry

I went throught the same thing for years! No one could figure out what was wrong...i was always in pain..sharp pain, dull pain, you name it I had it,also very tired all the time..i was taking pretty much all the same pills as you. Plus physical theapy. The way they found out it was infdction was an absess at the site of insion. I had it drained and packed. Then the drained site wouldnt heal bc a cyst was protruting out of the drainage insision. They still didnt know untill I went to get the cyst removed at the UofM in michigan. They found my surgen that prformed my surgery at the UofM and she came down to see me...looked right at it and poked around..and said you need those rods out now, they are infected. Then a day later I had to have my hardware removal surgery.

Also I was tested for infection 1 yr. Before and they never found anything...but the infextion was indeed there, they said for a few years. When they took out the rods they were all eaten up by the infection.

Appreciate your response. In your case, the absess at the incision site was an indicator of problems. I have no such things going on. Everything seems to be healed. Tender areas; but nothing to indicate a problem.

The pain has never quit and when I saw your post this sounded like a possible reason for all this pain. I'm glad you were able to get relief; but that's awful what the infection did to the rods.

Other than getting an xray to see if rods are still in place, which might show if rods have deterioated, is probably the way to go. When I had the Myleogram a few years ago, done by the doctor I had originally wanted, showed that one of the screws was close to a vein and should come out because there could eventually be a problem. He told me to go back to the surgeon that performed the fusion.

I did bring the original surgeon CDs of the myleogram. There were two myleograms...one with dye and one witout. It was obvious the surgeon was having a problem even using the CD. I guess he is accustomed to putting an xray on the lighted board and that's about it. The only thing he did finally say was he didn't see that to be a problem and nothing would probably happen. He saw no reason to remove screw. That was over 3 years ago. Have only been to Pain Specialist since then.

Thanks again for your post. Really appreciate your taking the time.

Gerry

I was going to ask about the blood test for infection.

I'm also kind of surprised the rods would have deteriorated (much less caused an infection). I just did some digging, and it turns out that the titanium rods used for surgical implants are actually alloys of Titanium (90%), Aluminum (6%), and Vanadium (4%).
http://www.supraalloys.com/medical-titanium.php

Digging a bit further, I came across this discussion between some doctors on the subject a few years ago:
http://www.fixscoliosis.com/archive/index.php/t-90.html

Apparently, these rods/implants are only expected to have a life expectancy (the rods -- not the patients) of ~20 years. What's supposed to happen after that....? In your case, it wasn't even that long.

From the link above, it appears there may be some studies out there, but why aren't things changing, or patients being fully informed, or a dozen other questions I could think of?

Thanks for the 411. It's something we may be hearing more about with the aging of the Boomers...

Doc

Welcome to Neuro Talk. That is great that you are questioning everything before you do your surgery. The long range issues with me were a factor. I had C6-7 done 7 years ago. I had the domino effect during those inbetween years where my neck got worse. Two years ago, I had C3-7 fused, redoing #6-7. I did not ask the questions that you are. I didn't know I had damage other than the first one at C6-7. I did have trouble and pain right out of surgery, which the doctor didn't believe me. Got my records years later to find out indeed I did have other indications of damage above the site and below. Make sure that you do not have any weakness in the verterbre above and below the surgical site. Your spine has to be strong enough for the hardware. I do wish you all the best. ginni

6yrslater,

I want to thank you for your post too. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this whole issue (for very long) since I first read it, which tells me there may be something more to it.

I can't guess how many cases I've read about here and elsewhere of spinal surgery patients experiencing unaccountable pain after their surgeries. Now I can't help but wonder if this surgical titanium is all its cracked up to be, and may be responsible for a good number of them.

Further study is in order, but they can't just start opening people up to take a look at all the hardware. There's another option, but it's kinda ghoulish (if medically appropriate).

Doc