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I'm scheduled for lumbar spinal fusion surgery (TLIF) in a little over a week. Looking for any input from anyone who has been through this.
BTLD | 10/17/2021 | BTLD

Posted on 10/17/2021 3:57:36 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo

Any suggestions, experiences, outcomes from anyone who has had this procedure would be much appreciated.

TIA


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: fusion; spinal; surgery; tlif
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I just hope that I get some relief. Tired of walking around like Quasimodo.
1 posted on 10/17/2021 3:57:36 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

I have heard that you can inject your own stem cells

there are a lot of doctors near me who would love to charge you lots to do that.

don’t know if it works.

not giving medical advice either


2 posted on 10/17/2021 4:02:18 PM PDT by algore ( )
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047299/


3 posted on 10/17/2021 4:03:47 PM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

Use hip bone, not cadaver.
Learn your new limitations quickly. Remember them.


4 posted on 10/17/2021 4:04:13 PM PDT by enduserindy (I’m done explaining basic math and the definition of freedom. )
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

Non fusion back surgery about 10 years ago. A laminectomy on T-10, T-11 and L-1 all the way to S-1. Basically they snap off the “dorsal bumps” and cut a notch in the vertebrae for your spinal cord to stop being compressed as much. Room to move. Mine looked like a link sausage prior to. Had I not done it I would have been using a hover-round. Did it totally fix things? No. Recovery was lengthy. No more skiing/snowboarding for me. I hope the surgery helps you with your issues. I do stand erect(ish) now but have dropped about an inch and a half in height.


5 posted on 10/17/2021 4:04:23 PM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this? 😕)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

My prayers for a good, successful outcome. I had a laminectomy in ‘97. 100% successful.


6 posted on 10/17/2021 4:05:13 PM PDT by Jemian (War Eagle! It is STILL great to be an Auburn Tiger.)
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: ButThreeLeftsDo

My only non-helpful input comes directly from an actual back surgeon. He refused to operate on anyone’s back unless the person crawled into his office.


8 posted on 10/17/2021 4:06:59 PM PDT by freedomjusticeruleoflaw (Strange that a man with his wealth would have to resort to prostitution.)
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To: Mount Athos

I see some studies saying the outcomes are a lot worse for people with osteoporsis though


9 posted on 10/17/2021 4:07:12 PM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: Jemian
For those with chronic back pain, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Healing Back Pain by John Sarno. It TOTALLY WORKED for me. God led me to this book. At the direction of the Holy Spirit, I implemented the suggestions of this book, and my pain vanished IMMEDIATELY. Pay special attention to "Review the Daily Reminders" section at location 1233 of 2631.
10 posted on 10/17/2021 4:10:06 PM PDT by Jemian (War Eagle! It is STILL great to be an Auburn Tiger.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

How old are you? Bone fusion doesn’t know when to stop growing. If you are too young, you may end up with stenosis.


11 posted on 10/17/2021 4:11:36 PM PDT by JubJub
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

My wife had a spinal fusion months ago. Unfortunately she got an infection and they had to go back in to clean it out. Afterwards she spent several months on IV antibiotics. It took months for the wound to heal and all that time she was on a wound vac. My advice is to be mindful of infection and talk with your surgeon about ways they will take to avoid infection at the wound site.


12 posted on 10/17/2021 4:11:38 PM PDT by vortigern
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

Physical therapy and exercising, especially walking, helps a great deal if you have a vertebrae out of place.

If that is the case, surgery only works about half the time. The back specialist I saw told me if you do most of what want to do, he recommends against surgery. If there are some things you can’t do without considerable pain, use a back brace.


13 posted on 10/17/2021 4:12:32 PM PDT by WASCWatch ( WASC)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

You’ll be okay. It’s amazing how far back surgeries have come over the past 20 years. Shoot, past ten!!! Mind your post surgery protocol and meds. You don’t want to take anymore than you have to. Use Tylenol or Alieve if possible instead of the opioids.


14 posted on 10/17/2021 4:12:39 PM PDT by Mathews (It's all gravy, baby!)
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To: humblegunner

Dude, you never disappoint.


15 posted on 10/17/2021 4:12:45 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (The best things in life aren't things.)
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To: Jemian

Thanks.


16 posted on 10/17/2021 4:13:41 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (The best things in life aren't things.)
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To: Mount Athos

I’ve been reading up on it. Just looking for some personal experiences.


17 posted on 10/17/2021 4:14:33 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (The best things in life aren't things.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

About one year ago to this date, I went under surgery for Spinal Stenosis in the lower lumber region. I was treated the Vet Hospital across the bridge in San Francisco.
What lead up to this was a few weeks into August 2020, I began to experience terrible pains in my legs whenever I lay down to sleep. It felt like lightening bolts, fast, dramatic and severe. I was told it was due to my lowere spine pinching nerves.
I had the surgery, and after a few weeks of slow walking, gentle motion, I recovered. Those midnight lightening bolts of pain stopped for the most part. Once in a while, I still feel some pain along the long bones (thighs) and I get a sore bum if I sit too long without changing position or seat padding. More than earlier in life.

I still have back pain in the area of the surgery at that point of entry. I feel this pain as a backache if I do a lot of walking or if I’m moving my upper body and arms around for a while. The pain is a matter of soreness or a persistant ache after activity. This back ache is thankfully not chronic.

I have neuropathy in my feet. I’m not sure if it’s related to my original problem. Gabapentin helps with this pain, but does not remove it for very long. Not so bad, all things considered. I am still very glad to have gone through with the surgery. No more lightening bolts in the legs at night!
Good Luck to you. Decide to do what you are comfortable with for now.


18 posted on 10/17/2021 4:15:38 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: humblegunner

lol!


19 posted on 10/17/2021 4:16:19 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: Mathews

Tylenol is all they are allowing. Made me stop taking ibuprofen.


20 posted on 10/17/2021 4:16:52 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (The best things in life aren't things.)
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