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csziggy

(34,189 posts)

41. A friend got all sorts of things done to her spine

Wed Dec 24, 2014, 07:44 PM

Dec 2014

She got plates, fusion, decompression, etc. It was extensive - the incision goes from between her shoulder blades to her tail bone. The operation was the first week in October - she is still not able to sit up for any length of time and is still using drugs to control the pain. She is doing physical therapy but can't do much of it.

Now she can use a tablet, but a laptop or desktop computer is not in the picture. Last year her husband bought a powered reclining sofa and that lets her recline in front of the TV and veg out. I think they are planning to start her on a more extensive PT schedule after the first of the year. She's hoping to come to one of our club's events in January but I'm not sure she will be up for it.

I'd say 3- 6 months is a good prognosis but I wouldn't plan on doing much for the first couple of months.

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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