How much range do you lose with L5-S1 fusion?

[bagpussinamerica]

Ok, I am now trying to decide whether to ask surgeon for a fusion. This is now my second herniation on L5-S1 in a space of a year. I have scare tissue on that site, as well as a Tarlov's cyst right there as well, which could cause some problems overall. My concern is this. We are trying tto work out the best for surgery and the surgeon thought another micro discectomey coming in at a lower angle should work. However, since the last surgery had a dural opening with a leak found at the time of surgery...didn't happen on surgery...and the subsequent problems I had with recovery, I am concerned that even if the surgery goes well, what happens if I herniate again? Another surgery would be problematic I am sure. Is it best to ask for a fusion and take it at that?

Also, anyone having had the surgery, can you tell me what kind of loss of range and motion did you have? I love gardening, dancing, pilates, and working out at the gym, cycling: are these things I could still do with a fusion?

I am not at all sure that w/c will approve a fusion anyhow, but thought I would look at that as an option since several here have mentioned it already.

[lfoster21]

Hello, obviously I can not tell you what I think you should do, but I can answer your question about ranghe of motion. I have a fusion at that same area that you are talking about and I did not lose range of mothion much at all. Now for the first 3-6 mo. you will not be allowed to bend, twist or lean forward, but once you are fused, you should be able to do all of that. (Of course, that is if the fusion goes well etc.)

I wish you the very best of luck.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

You stated;((Is it best to ask for a fusion and take it at that?))

It was mentioned before by your surgeon. That then is a question to ask your surgeon. Not one we can answer for you. If you had it done, stayed positive, and worked well with PT, you could come out ok. If the time frame has caused to much damage, then only time could tell about ROM and such.

[Cycler]

you actually do not lose any range at all if your hamstrings and hip flexors are supple. Most fusion patients have no loss of activity after recovery.

[bagpussinamerica]

I had heard all sorts of horror stories about a fusion so was pretty much decided that I didn't want to go there....though I never told my surgeon that. Like I said before, he put it on the table a long time ago as a thought. I am only re-thinking the situation now since I just want to make sure I don't have any further surgeries after what ever the next one will be. I am just thinking ahead.

My hips are very supple and I was working out at the gym regularly before this recent episode, so my strentgh was coming back great in my leg as well. My problem is my core muscles, which were coming on ok, but certainly not as well as I had prior to surgery, so I will talk to my physio to see if I can find ways of strengthing those without putting pressure on the nerve.

[Cycler]

The standard is called Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization and consists of Pilates like core strenghtening and there is no nerve irritation. Been through it.

I pay hockey with a lumbar 2 level fusion guy who gloves the ice in warmup - on skates - and my yoga instructor can get into position that make me blush and has a L3-5 fusion. you may lose some measured lumbar flexion but the hips make up pretty much all the rotation to bend over.

[AQA]

Lets keep in mend that once the spine is fused, the upper and lower vertabre take the load of the one that is fused. Yes, I know there is not one below, hence it would be the one above.

I had the L5-S1 fused 10-05. I had other issues also ( part of the disk shattering ). I have lost some range of motion and have muscel pains in the back that I did not have before. I believe it is a matter that all people respond differently to surgeries and medication to a point. With that being said, I believe the fusion was a success, and I am glad I had it done.

[bagpussinamerica]

This is so much more than I expected. Thank you everyone for your imput on this. I am, USUSALLY, a very positive person, but you know how it is with w/c and not working. First they make you feel a failure for getting hurt, then they make you feel like your are lying. I hate it.

But this is better news. I will definately ask about the fusion then. I am a positive person and have worked hard to achieve what I did during the recovery. So I feel, at least, nearly as fit as I was prior to the first injury. And I feel I am more equiped with information now as well. My physio is really good as well, and I am happy working with her, so I feel pretty positive about making this choice. Any surgery I have ever had, has always been complicated. Strange things happen. Like what was supposed to be there wasnt, that sort of thing. I did warn my surgeon, jokingly, he said it was because I had British surgeons. Well, I guess the joke is on him now. He has experienced the same thing. That is why I want to head off any other surgeies other than the one ahead of me. There has got to be a limit to my good luck coming through these things.

[Cycler]

while there is invariably permanent pain at the fusion site most complain of the pain from the bone graft donor site as being worse.

[hurt at work]

im with AQA i also have lost some rom and have lots of pain but my L-3 is on its last leg so that means i will need another surgery soon and im not looking forward to that.everyone is different you might not lose much or any rom.it is a long healing process and you need to follow all the drs restrictions and the best thing you can do is walk,walk,walk.i was walking the halls the same day i had surgery it was the middle of the night and the nurses were all standing around talking and they about fell over when they seen me walking the halls with my iv thing.good luck if it needs done and it will help you then do it,but thats up to you.hurt