General Discussion

MANative

(4,188 posts)

20. Depends on where in the spine...

Wed Dec 24, 2014, 01:13 PM

Dec 2014

I had an L5 laminectomy several years ago rather than going the fusion route. Pain was gone when I woke up from surgery, and I only needed about six weeks of PT thereafter. No residual effects, ten years later. My SIL just had cervical fusion three days ago, and she says the nerve pain is greatly reduced. She'll be in a neck brace for two more weeks, then two months of scheduled PT.

I honestly think that it depends on the person and the specific issue causing the pain. Skeletal, neural, and muscular problems all require different solutions, and everyone has different tolerances for pain.

I strongly concur with other posters who advocate at least one second opinion. There are some doctors who just love to cut or are looking for the solution that makes them the most money.

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I'm going to need spinal fusion surgery. [View all] MoonRiver Dec 2014 OP

Don't know about the recovery Faux pas Dec 2014 #1

Thanks Faux pas! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #2

My sister in law had that done twice and she recovered nicely. shraby Dec 2014 #3

Good to hear. I'm feeling a little less terrified by these stories! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #9

My wife had cervical fusion surgery MineralMan Dec 2014 #4

Thanks MM. That is good to know. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #8

Any other options, there minimum evasive etc.... how many opinions? regards uponit7771 Dec 2014 #5

depends on where in the spine. mopinko Dec 2014 #6

L4, L5. I am going to get another opinion and probably use a different surgeon. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #7

L 4 and 5 is where they pioneered the arthritisR_US Dec 2014 #11

Very encouraging! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #14

I'm glad you're going to get a 2nd opinion...my friend ellenrr Dec 2014 #12

I don't think they're going to implant anything. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #15

oh, ok. In case anyone wants to know- this device is called Coflex, and some ellenrr Dec 2014 #19

None of my mates had that, theirs were all arthritisR_US Dec 2014 #26

you're ahead of us for sure in Canada. nt ellenrr Dec 2014 #28

those pins are prolly the same deal. mopinko Dec 2014 #40

You will be in pain for at least a year. WhiteTara Dec 2014 #10

I'm going on 2 years. GeorgeGist Dec 2014 #13

So sorry. Do you know what the problem is? MoonRiver Dec 2014 #16

All the best! bigwillq Dec 2014 #17

Thanks bigwillq! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #18

Depends on where in the spine... MANative Dec 2014 #20

My problem is a pinched nerve, also known as Sciatica. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #21

Well familiar with that! It's exactly what I had. MANative Dec 2014 #22

Thanks MANative! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #23

I suffered with the pain for nearly three years before finally giving in to the surgery. MANative Dec 2014 #24

Yes, it is horrible and its getting worse. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #25

You might want to think about taking the next few weeks to fully investigate... MANative Dec 2014 #27

The info and advice I am getting here are awesome! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #32

Ah! A very important factor, indeed. You will need plenty of support... MANative Dec 2014 #37

I had a laminectomy and discectomy on the l5-s1 and wasn't so lucky as to be "instantly cured". adirondacker Dec 2014 #29

Thank you! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #33

Here is a spinal fusion website my daughter used through her SpF ordeal. misterhighwasted Dec 2014 #30

Just googled and bookmarked that site! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #35

I don't know what the recovery is like NuclearDem Dec 2014 #31

Thanks so much NuclearDem! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #34

True about DU, its very easy to show kindness. misterhighwasted Dec 2014 #38

I had cervical spinal fusion 20 years ago. Lugnut Dec 2014 #36

Please consider chiropractic adjustments. panader0 Dec 2014 #39

I've been going to a chiropractor for two months. MoonRiver Dec 2014 #42

A friend got all sorts of things done to her spine csziggy Dec 2014 #41