L4-L5 Fusions..yes or no?

Hi Amanda,

I had my second fusion done in  August of 2008. My first fusion was L5 S1 which was not a success. I went to a new Orthopedic and was told that I needed to have L4/L5 fused after being in severe pain and having numbness going down my leg for the past 6 years I decided to have the surgery. I had the rods put in for my second fusion and for the first I had a bone graph done. I am personally worse off now then I think I was prior to the surgeries.

You are so Young, and I would never want to have you feel as I do.

Please remember that there are also successful fusions done and that Person will feel so much better. We are all different.

Have you been to a Pain & Spine Center at all? Sometimes the injections that they do can be beneficial.

I just wanted to share my own personal experience, and again as I said everyone is different, but with you being so young I would suggest trying other options before having a fusion done.

All the best to you.

I am so sorry that you are going through this.

I'm 52 I have this done in 2002 for the first year after the surgery it was great very little to no pain. BUT after a couple of year   the bone above the fusion started hurting alot it's called a dry bone and you will need another surgery. spondylolysis will only get worse without the surgery. I know I  was at stage 4. I will be going through another surgery sometime next year. you are young don't wait until you are to old like I did.

Hi Amanda,

I,too,started with spondylolithesis. My first surgery was in 1991 complete w/ body cast for 3 months. Seems barbaric now. At the time spondyl was my only spine disease. Fused fromS1-L5-4. I actually had a vertabrae that protruded from my back.

Since first surgery I've had 5 more and had 3 broken fusions. I also have several degenerative diseases...sacroliliac,facet joint,disc, arthritis as well as hip dysplasia. Now I'm not saying surgery was the cause of the others, but who knows?

This is merely my experience and as others said everyone is different. They've fused me so many different ways I can't begin to tell you..lol but I'll try. Last one 2 in 1 week They went in through my stomach on a Mon. and through my back on Wed. Not only am I still traumatized from this the relief from pain was never permanent and never complete. I also have now have a titanium bolt that protrudes.,that in of itself causes pain.

Have you tried any alternative methods. You are so young. What I know today(hindsight) I tried accupuncture after the third surgery, I was told up front it probably wouldn't work as it reconnects all the energy flow through meridians(channels not seen to naked eye) All my meridians had been cut during surgery. If I could turn back time(hey,isn't that a Cher song?) This is the approach I would take. Complmentry medicine.

Best of luck and please keep us posted, pm me if you'd like. I'm here to talk.

Light and Laughter,

Kerri