Can Spinal Fusion Lead to MORE Spine Surgery?

Adjacent Segment Disease is a condition caused by spinal fusions where the level above or below the fused vertebrae degenerate (because they are make up for the lack of movement at the level that was fused). The human spine is built for movement, when one of more levels are fused together it disturbs its normal movement. #Spinalfusion surgeries use bone grafts and/or hardware to permanently “lock” together two or more #vertebrae. The idea is to make the section of the spine thought to be causing pain immovable. After a #fusionsurgery, the spine loses the ability to move at the place where the procedure was done. Limiting the ability to bend forward, arch back, twist or tilt at the specific level or levels fused. “Locking” of the spine’s segment can force adjacent segments to compensate and try to keep the spine flexible. Unfortunately, this stresses and overloads those upper and lower vertebrae, forcing the intervertebral discs to break down and causing nerve compression and pain after back fusion leading to a condition known as #AdjacentSegmentDisease (ASD). ASD is most likely to occur in the motion segments of the spine used most often, such as L4/L5 and L5/S1 near the highly mobile lower lumbar region. They also tend to occur at the C5/C6 and C6/C7 near the highly mobile upper cervical region.
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Overloading of the adjacent #spinalvertebrae can result in a number of conditions in the adjacent segments, including:
- Bone spurs
- Spondylolisthesis
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative arthritis (facet joints)
- Stenosis (narrowing of the spaces for the nerves)
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These conditions can pinch the nerves in the spine, causing Radiculopathy (pain that radiates into the arms or legs) and Myelopathy (pain that travels along the spinal cord). Up to 25% of patients who have had fusions develop Adjacent Segment Disease about 5 years post-surgery (with higher risk in patients with 3- or 4- level fusions #discreplacement #spinalfusion #backsurgery #backpainrelief

[@madmatt2024]

100% true. I've known far more people that have ended up just as bad or worse off after having spinal surgery than have had a good outcome.

[@jasonthompson1980]

Yup wish I wouldn't have done it

[@Meghnaaad]

Then who do they do it?

[@Amenimun]

@@Meghnaaad "Then who do they do it?" Because some doctor conveniences them to do it -- usually the same doctor who will be performing surgery and get paid for it. Reminds me of my dentist once suggesting braces for me to fix an extremely minor tooth alignment issue. He told me it would cost approximately $4,000-5,000. And the thing is, I don't have dental insurance ($750/year) -- mainly because I discovered it's cheaper to just take care of my teeth and go in every 6 months for a cleaning ($110) followed by a scan, cleaning, examination, etc., ($360) 6 months after (totaling $470/year in dental care) -- and he knew that, which means he also knew I would've had to pay for the braces out of pocket. Now, mind you, my previous dentist, who is the practice owner and had moved to another location some years back, had always told me that my teeth were perfect and never suggested braces before. Anyway, in the end, I said "nope." Later it became obvious to me that he was possibly just trying to make some extra cash because he'd been the one putting the braces on. The only difference between my situation and the spinal surgery is, there's a positive end result to getting braces, aside from hurting my wallet/bank account, whereas spinal surgery would be detrimentally everlasting, to which my next-door neighbor can attest.

[@mafinalmessagechangedaworl7131]

@@jasonthompson1980dahm that’s something to keep in mind 😮

[@nancykennon310]

I'm older and still walking without pain. I refused surgery. I'm 72 no back pain.I have aches from previous injuries but not constant pain. My pain is pain from kidney problems

[@shenanigans-love]

I had a spinal fusion in 2017. And now I am on pain management due to a failed fusion. I wish I would have never had the surgery.

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

Very sorry to hear, hope you find additional options and relieve

[@shenanigans-love]

@@BoneDoctor_KZbin thank you

[@ionutandrasesc2376]

auci. don't loose hope tho, technology improves. Go study it yourself, might make a breaktrough. You are more motivated i bet

[@shenanigans-love]

@@ionutandrasesc2376 I am actually in a battle with my insurance company because I am trying to get the spinal cord stimulator so that I can get off of the pain pills. That is my goal. I hate these pain meds they do absolutely nothing for me anymore I basically take them so that I don't get physically sick. But once I get that spinal cord stimulator I have a feeling a lot of stuff is going to change and I will be able to do a lot of things that I haven't been able to do in a long time. I love fishing and hiking and camping I am a very outdoorsy person but I haven't been able to do any of that in the last 5 years. I have been in pain for over 20 years. I do not want to give up.

[@AshishSharma-yk7qr]

​@@ionutandrasesc2376 to make a breakthrough one requires more than 5 years of study without making any money and then gathering experience, and there is a little chance of a breakthrough. Most people do not have that much time and resources.

[@pasgas12safe58]

I had spinal stabilization in 2012 & I have 5 vertebrae connected with 2 rods & 8 screws, after a car accident. I'm a self employed plumbing and heating engineer & I've been very fortunate that so far, things are absolutely fine at 61 years old. Anyone who suffers with the spine, my thoughts are with you🙏

[@georgeplagianos6487]

It's short of a miracle and you've been blessed. Count your blessings and always take precautions nevertheless. Good luck and thanks for wishing us the a successful procedure or therapy

[@pasgas12safe58]

@@georgeplagianos6487 Yes, I count myself very lucky! Also, I actually got married 3 months after the accident, so I was happy to walk down the aisle unaided!!🙏 I had 2 vertebrae with small fractures, above and below a burst fracture (middle of them), so 3 damaged & 5 stabilized, by the metalwork. Sending you very best wishes from the U.K.💗🙏

[@Gods_greatest]

Plumber myself, woke up unable to walk.

[@pasgas12safe58]

@@Gods_greatest Sorry to hear that. How are you now, can you walk? What procedure did you have?

[@Gods_greatest]

I had a laminectomy done right down the middle of my spine. Had three disc removed and fused. And three years later I can feel the hardware. I’ve gone to the ER and even my GP and they all say the hardware is fine but I highly doubt it. I know my body and I know what I feel. Even my wife has rubbed her hands down my back and can feel it

[@skippy6086]

Orthopedic surgeons turned me away. Said there was nothing they could do due to the nature of the damage. Went through much physical therapy, did all the stuff religiously, did some lifestyle changes which got my weight down to my supposed ideal. Got to walking miles and mile. And miles…. Then actually got back into jogging after a few months. Somehow, and I really dont know how, that was 10 years ago and at 73 I’m still walking 4 miles a day and jogging about 12 per week with almost no flareups of painful inflammation! I was very fortunate they turned me away. I think losing the weight and getting flexible was a big help. Thank God, no matter what the reason!

[@roosh8765]

Happy to hear

[@babblesp1367]

I have a fusion and I find that stretching really helps. I need to do it more often. Of course, I also need to lose weight.

[@bugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugs]

my spine is effed up but doc literally told me "one surgery will just lead to more surgery, id say deal with it" so i believe this guy

[@jeepmanxj]

I got a disc replacement. Best decision of my life.

[@0hleg]

What happened? To cause your injury

[@bugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugs]

@@0hleg car crash. i was young and dumb and trusted someone to drive that i shouldnt have

[@0hleg]

@@bugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugsbugs sometimes I feel like the people I hangout with are much worse drivers than me. I’m going to take your story to heart and not let people I don’t trust to drive. Hope your pain has gotten better. I wrote that question yesterday. Woke up today to find out my childhood dog my father took to the vet for a sedated checkup was very sick. They decided to put her down. I was with her when they gave her the shot she was sleeping though. They kept her sleeping. She was a good dog. Always kept me company when I was lonely. And always slept behind me when I played video games. She used to come downstairs to just be with me instead of sleeping in my parents room. She was truly my best friend. Didn’t even look at her as a dog. She was just my best friend calling her just a dog doesn’t give her justice. She was the best. Used to always lick me on my arm when I played cs and it always scared me but I was always happy she wanted to sleep near me. I would have ran through fire for that dog. Hope she is somewhere nice even though I don’t believe in that. I had a feeling something was gonna happen at the checkup that she wouldn’t wake up or something like that. So at least I hugged her and petted her thoroughly, made sure she knew I loved her very much with physical affection the day before. I never took her for granted.

[@WonderWolf11]

G doctor right there

[@MrStrayaura]

Had a spinal fusion in 2017.. one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Best surgeon in Tx cut me open and fused my c5-c7. Took away 98% of my pain.

[@lathamarea1437]

I hear ya, In 2014 i had C-3 to 6 fused, best decision i ever made to allivate the chronic nerve damage i was experiencing..That being total numbness in my right hand and that constant electricity...From the moment i woke up in I.C.U, i haven't had any further pain or numbness since....Like you, i also had a phenomenal Dr.

[@chrisduncan1647]

Mine was done by Dr. Joseph Beshay in Dallas. Did an amazing job, still going strong 10 years on. Now if I could only say the same for my cervical spine.

[@peny1981]

How old are you guys?

[@erykl777]

A friend who worked in an OR doing neuro-monitoring during spine cases said two of the surgeons used to race each other to see who could finish a case first. No thanks.

[@Lousy-Looter]

Be careful lots of quacks out here, many will push unnecessary surgeries, our bodies have amazing healing abilities all by themselves, therapy and exercise and time to heal is often better than opting for surgery

[@GlobalAdventurer]

I can say AMEN to that for sure. I went to two different doctors to have part of my right foot fused because I was in so much pain. Guess what???? 2 years later it all went away on it's own. I just kept walking even though I was in pain. I have no clue how it went away but it did. I will never get any type of "fusion" surgery.

[@Lousy-Looter]

@GlobalAdventurer thats great you healed without surgery, I had a knee injury and got x-rays doctor wanted to operate for torn cartilage, I decided to give it time it hurt for a couple of years and then stopped hurting, it hasn't bothered me since I think if I had surgery I would still be in pain as many have been after surgeries, they wanted to fuse a lower back issue as well I did some exercises and try to keep my weight down has helped alot I have done fine without lower back surgery but I do have my limitations, not saying surgery is never required but in cases like you and me I feel alot of people are getting unnecessary surgeries, thanks for your comment and I wish you continued health 😀

[@aregulargenericname8794]

A fool relies solely on the body and vice versa, you need to realize that both the body and the techniques have limitations that best work together

[@taze27]

I wish I had the gift of being a great spine surgeon that can fix all spine ailments forever. 🏥

[@laurenperdue3981]

True. Had my entire spine fused with Harrington rods in 1999.... the bars are broken in half in 2 separate places and doctors cannot remove them without paralysis...im only 40 and have to walk with a walker now... ive been leaning to more surgery to help with the pain. Ive been taking 30 mg Morphine and several Percocets daily, for 21 years 😢😢😢

[@arafatm7277]

Hi Lauren. I fully understand what you're saying. You are strong. To more life to more happiness

[@gunfighterman1-5]

I feel for you. I've had my fifth back surgery back in January and now fused from T4 well into my pelvic area. I'm still on 60mg MS Contin 2x a day. PLZ, PLZ STAY STRONG and CARRY ON !

[@picklerick7953]

Damn that sucks .here I am batching about my shoulder that hurts 24/7 I know the back is way worse being stuck on medication sucks too

[@TerminalPneuma]

Damn, I'm sorry it went that way for you, dear.

[@supawithdacream5626]

It happens to alot of people they just want them on the painkillers medication it’s a huge business

[@chrisduncan1647]

S1,L5,L4 fusion with foraminotomy in 2013. Still doing well today with limited pain.

[@airpodz4438]

I had a discectomy three years ago. I ruptured the L-5/ S-1 disc. It landed right in my S-1 nerve. Worst pain I’ve ever had in the entirety of my 50 years. It was quite literally killing me. Though I’m not completely free of discomfort, the pain that was killing me has subsided. My initial consult with my surgeon (Dr. Hope in Reston, VA) was alarming. He said to me after viewing my MRI, ‘this looks very underwhelming.” He was astonished by the totality of disc the had to be removed. My point is, MRI and X-rays don’t alway tell the whole story. I strongly suggest if you are suffering from back pain be your own representative. Also, go see Dr. Hope I’m Reston, VA. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! Life is manageable now. Thanks be to God!

[@charlottemuller2233]

He is an honest man!

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

Thanks for taking the time 🙏 encouraging kind word

[@Nuclear187]

Mine is fused and hurts all the time so sick of it

[@Nille0212]

I'm definitely one of those people! I had MRSA in my spine and it damaged everything. I have 4 levels of fusion and I'm much worse off now than before the 5 surgeries I had. I'm disabled and mostly bedridden because I can feel the metal rubbing on a nerve and the pain from walking upright is HORRIBLE!!! I use a walker now and have since I was about 33. I have been in pain management since 2007, and I've had it decreased to the bare minimum for a touch of relief compared to being fairly functional before the crisis. It's miserable. At 43 I feel 93.

[@warrenb8228]

Damn, I thought technology would progress enough for them to figure this out by now. My pain is getting worse

[@joancottam6956]

I had spine surgery in 2011 and I was in excruciating pain. I was wheelchair-bound. I had a walker I had to sit in the shower and since I had my surgery and all that went away I’m walking again. I can drive. I don’t have the pain I had running down my leg so it’s not all bad if you get the right doctor and you listen things can get better for you. I got off all my pain medication on my own. Doctors don’t know everything for me it worked.

[@your_-_mom]

Damn that sucks, it’ll be a shame if someone ruptures your disks on Friday at 5:25 PM when you’re returning from work..,

[@dougkyle685]

I'm currently dealing with adjacent segment degeneration

[@xanhhang9023]

He made sure he made a caveat of “we hope there will be less damage”. Take care of your back people, be aware of how you are using it and build the muscles around it for better support.

[@christopherhigginbottom2609]

I had c5 c6 fused 4 years ago due to a ruptured disc, and severe nerve pain in my shoulder and arm. On the preop MRI c6 c7 was found to be herniated as well. Since I had my surgery 4 years ago, which gave me instant relief, Everything has been great aside from some mild arthritis. Not everyone has a bad experience.

[@KingFergus]

The faster you get it fixed the better the recovery. The issue in most cases is nerve damage not the surgery

[@Zaxby722]

Served with a guy who was only 23 when he blew his back out. He had a handful of surgeries and still over 12 years later he is still having issues.

[@ashleycarroll2378]

This is why I’ll just deal with my back pain. I can’t imagine having more pain and having to do even more surgeries.

[@yimpyoi9808]

exactly this. i find that regular stretches and mobility/stability exercises significantly reduce wear on your spine and can even reduce or eliminate pain. its certainly better than expensive and risky spinal surgery.

[@alexrakita36]

had spine surgery at 16 and my life is way better now at 20

[@lucianoromero777]

That’s why constant joint movement is important and spine health is essential, once those joints calcify and get stuck like that there isn’t much intervention outside of surgery you can do

[@Chad-Giga.]

My grandpa was never the same after he started getting spine surgeries, he could barely walk after and needed surgery after surgery to fix the one before

[@nurseratched5537]

I've been a recovery room nurse for years. I would never have spine surgery for back pain. I see it all the time 1 surgery leads to more. One of the most painful surgeries we see in the recovery room.

[@gwelker1962]

Spot on! I had a Mobi-C insert installed between C5-C6 3 years ago. 100% of my pain is gone! Didn't have to wear a neck brace 24-7 like patients of spinal fusion too. Couldn't be happier with the results.

[@celticwarrior5261]

I had 3 back surgeries and I’m only 25. My last surgery was a fusion and it solved my problems, I feel great with no pain. Maybe I’m one of the lucky ones.

[@mikew8622]

Do spinal decompression. It worked for me

[@Da-jw8fb]

My grandpa underwent spine fusion for parts of his lower back. Unfortunately it lead to wear on other parts of his spine causing him to get another surgery. He’s constantly in pain, opioids and medicinal marijuana do only so much to relieve the pain. Another surgeon we know said that his second spinal surgery was too extensive and unnecessary. I get sad thinking about my grandpa.

[@Burks2121]

I will only have back surgery if the next step is paralysis. Seen way too many patients just keep coming back, constant need for narcotics, etc.

[@z_erinaceous_z]

I'm 13 and have scoliosis, I have a 40 degree curve and have a brace but my orthopedic doctor warns that if it goes to 50 degrees I'll have to get surgery and I'm really worried about it.

[@sk-bl8xk]

May God be ưith you!

[@beenjammin7187]

Bro you are 13. Wear your brace as much as possible. You are lucky enough to be at an age where bracing and scroth method can actually change the way your spine grows. Go hard now while you can

[@614BlueBerry]

I was recommended spine surgery at 22 years old, i couldnt financially afford taking so much time off work to get it done. So glad I didnt.

[@maeyae]

Have one in my neck for 13 years now. Cant complain.

[@mannygutierrez7654]

I had a disc replacement. Still ruined my life My neuropathy went from one leg to both, and my pain didn't improve at all, surgery made my pain uncontrollable

[@harrybalzac7932]

Did they go from the back or front when opening you up?

[@nitinsingh7197]

Very true...I have seen a patient with same problem

[@Spikernaut]

I have never met someone who had back surgery and it was better after it

[@210roughcountry9]

You deal with it until you can't. Disk replacement has complications as well and is more suited for older people. Glad i had my fussion but spine injuries are life altering. No matter what road, physical therapy is crucial.

[@bobbellendovich6825]

People who do NOTHING (NO exercise, therapy, drugs) are doing better at 5, 7, and 10 years after bad-disc-diagnosis, than people who got surgery. THINK about that.

[@happytrails5342]

Tiny numbers don't represent the masses doing better.

[@user-dv7hq2rh4g]

What a load of nonsense.

[@aregulargenericname8794]

A small outlier group but not the main demographic

[@tokyo_grinds]

Truly a sleepover moment

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

Old meme

[@Linda_1970]

He is telling the truth. I’ve had at least nine spine surgeries, especially in my neck.

[@deborahvaughn7713]

Hello....I've had 2 and the doctor wants to do another. Do you have DDD?

[@Linda_1970]

@@deborahvaughn7713 what is a DDD? If you’re asking if I’m gonna have to have another neck surgery yes, possibly C3-C4 and C7-T1. I’m not sure what question you’re asking me but I’ve had nine neck surgeries and now coming up to a 10th and I’ve had one lumbar surgery which was ALIF 360 L4-S1. If you can include me in what you’re asking, that would be great.

[@Linda_1970]

@@deborahvaughn7713 also my C5-C7 is fused, I also had surgery between C1-C2, and I a ganglionectomy, which was supposed to help my occipital neuralgia migraines, but it did the opposite

[@Linda_1970]

@@deborahvaughn7713 i’ve seen at least seven neurosurgeons if not more and after they’ve done one surgery, they kicked me to the curb and said they can’t help me anymore so I’ve been going from Neurosurgeon to Neurosurgeon to get help and in the meantime I’ve been suffering for 22 years to have a little to no help. Or they decide to only fix one thing and then they leave everything else and they just assume that it’s not bothering me so then they don’t fix it. And now I have a bone spur that’s covering two vertebrae‘s. It’s the size of like a tiger’s tooth and I have a bulging disc on the right and left side and I have chronic radiculopathy which has still not been repaired.

[@Linda_1970]

@@deborahvaughn7713 oh, I forgot to also mention I’ve had 67 operation since my birth. But I definitely would like to know what the DDD is.

[@MrCubankong]

I had 2 disc in my neck replaced using the pro disc viva and I'm glad I did it

[@GTN3]

Is that illustration showing a pro disc like you have? It looks totally cool but, I'm very skeptical of such things. I'm 63 I'm just waiting to die...

[@scottyhollis6739]

He has a point I had a two level fusion done in 2006 and I still don’t have any trouble with the next level but I have really tried to take care of it the dr said usually about 10 years after it gets the next level if a person is constantly bending over and lifting I don’t think it would take that long

[@deborahvaughn7713]

I've had 2 neck surgeries, and the doctor wants to do another one. The pain is 24/7.

[@dorothypettijohn1037]

I'm sorry.

[@OngoGablogian185]

Thanks for your optimism.

[@simonjones63]

Agree 100%… avoid unless absolutely necessary… the narrative spinal surgery is sometimes ‘sold’ to patients irritates me massively. It’s not always the answer for sure but on the other hand surgery when indicated can be a game changer. Love the new developments within the surgical field.. very exciting times

[@paulcharpentier5613]

I had my spine fixed 3 years ago. Im in pain every day. And was a (perfect candidate) for the fusion. Im only able to work part time. I also have my neck fused

[@ElZamo92]

My mom had spine surgery like 15 years ago and she’s 100% fine. She’s 60 btw.

[@paulsdrc]

I had two discs replaced, awesome so far…

[@spectrepar2458]

I do patient transport and often ask people if they are glad they got their back surgery. I have never heard a yes.

[@cia8613]

I can confirm this as this same thing happened to my grandma.

[@daz1598]

2 surgeries so far, C4,5,6. Started with 5. It's true what they say. Don't get surgery as more is coming. I can also go for 2 more, which I'm trying not to. Artificial discs don't always work and need removed and then all 3 with cages.

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Very valuable information for others to hear. Hope all continues to go well.

[@marcanthony854]

In March I had L5-S1 replaced in October I had C5-C6 & C6-C7 replaced, Pro disc L & C, best surgeries to date and I’ve had 14 different surgeries

[@jackhigdon6200]

He is telling the truth,

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

Been through it?

[@pops3554]

U a surgeon????

[@icecrambringer123]

I’ve had 6 surgeries and the last one they went in from belly side too to fusion it from the front and back. I’m on pain meds 24/7 and soon I will be getting a spinal cord simulator. Currently living a fucking hell. I can only sit or stand for 2 min before super mega pain kicks in so I am laying down all the time.

[@jasonnester9514]

I’ve been lucky in 2018 I had spinal fusion and have zero issues I had to have it my disk between s1 and l5 was 100% done and the vertebrae were collapsed in my spinal cord surgery was legitimately only option

[@hemanthkumar5438]

I messed my tailbone in covid era by too much sitting and working. 2 years still its on and off recovery.

[@TheRealAssix]

Im a neurosurgery nurse and yep, that happens.

[@dragoncum67]

Then why aren’t you guys honest about that with the patient.

[@brandyclark8790]

Total disc replacement in my neck & after being rear-ended again, they shifted! The migraines are horrible & can't afford pain management, my health insurance doesn't cover it! Life sucks to be honest, the pain is unbearable most days! 🥺

[@michaelbaker7039]

I was sent for an operation on my lower back but I cancelled it. And my back healed up by itself

[@peted5217]

Disc Replacement Interesting potential solution !

[@redwolflancer3051]

I have a herniated disk and would not consider surgery from some of the results I've seen, I hate taking pain killers but you don't realize how much your spine and range of motion that it is responsible for till you can't use it anymore and one wrong move can end up in severe pain and being stuck in an awkward position till it let's up, I've been stuck bent over and standing on one leg.

[@eastcoastkickz4891]

When i had my wreck at 21 the lawyer was trying to get me all kinds of treatments even spine surgery. Chose therapy after reading and gym . Forgot all about back pains

[@evanwines688]

I thank everything that the surgeon I had for mine was literally one of the top surgeons for the type of fusion I had done. Yea he did say wayyyy later down the road the rest will have to be fused but by his guess won’t be for another 40+ years at this point. Dr Errico(my surgeon) was one of the people who helped develop the way modern spinal fusion is done. Can’t go wrong with having it done by the guy who wrote the book on the procedure I had done

[@jamesevans225]

Nice to know that disc replacement is an option

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

An excellent option for some patients. Thank you for taking the time.

[@kdc858]

This is why im waiting for improvement of this type of surgery i dont want to risk my ability too walk

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

understood. how's back doing?

[@kdc858]

@BoneDoctor_KZbin when i was around 25 to 26 i lifted a heavy object and i felt two hard pops in my back obviously my back was already hurting i couldn't work for the rest of the day the next 2-3 days i couldn't walk without extreme pain after that i could eventually walk now a days i deal with daily pain and unfortunately i have significant weight gain because of the injurie

[@ia6363]

20 years with L5 S1, and I'm glad I never got surgery. The pain is so much fun 😂

[@elladoz1966]

TY for sharing 👍

[@chadillacinc]

Hi herniated, two discs when I was 28, 3 weeks after my daughter was born. L3 / L4 and L4/L5. I have avoided surgery for this reason but it's getting really hard to deal with. I'm still in pain. Every day it shoots down my leg and into my groin. I'm a recovering addict so I don't take painkillers. It's miserable

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

Very sorry to hear, and understand the fear with surgery, but most patients do receive significant symptoms. Improvement with surgery, when it’s time. Hope all goes well.

[@jasonthompson1980]

I have a fusion and am a recovering addict. Have you tried injections or anything else.

[@m.e.p.b.]

Mine L5 S1 + sciatica right leg + C3 C4 C5 C6 disc bulge. Cervical & lumbar traction therapy 2x a year 6 sessions each helped me. Lots if fish oil and lemon juice for anti inflammation w 5k-10k Vit. D3 w Vit. K2 MK7 120 mcg. NO SUGAR, LOW CARBS, Ketovore REALLY helped me. GET RID OF INFLAMMATORY FOODS & DRINKS to help reduce the pain. Time restricted eating... stretching even on the bed. Mobility is the key. Most of all PRAY. Ask for God's help & mercies. When strength is back, look to help others. A merry heart is good medicine. 🙏🥰

[@tiatetlajamir3990]

Same case here, it's so frustratingat we can't do the daily chores as normal people.

[@adnan4688]

Try Suboxone,if you can't handle the pain. It's addictive as well, but you don't get high and it doesn't interfere with your daily life. Kills the back-pain just fine. I have the same problem. If you can manage without anything, that's the way to go,but if not, better then opiates like morphine or vicodin variations. If it ever comes to that point,just don't take any of this crap, take buprenorphine.

[@JamesBrown-gf6sc]

This is very true, my father had spine fusion done and after 5 years he had to have another section fused, it just keeps going and going...

[@mrdanger4851]

My lower lumbar fusion was done 1999 it did Not make me better or worse but it locked me in constant pain! Chronic pain for the last 25 years and nothing can be done about it but Pills and Pills! Choose wisely there are no guarantees

[@michaelharmon5991]

I had spinal fusion of three vertebra in 1964. Because the center vertebra was deformed my doctor used some bone from my pelvis to graft into the joint. I was in God awful pain for a solid week in Vanderbilt Hospital. Then in a body cast for 4 months and had to wear a leather covered steel frame brace for a full year. About 6 months of this recovery time I was bed ridden. BUT, after learning to walk again and finally after a year and 4 months my back never caused me any problem. No pain, no problems at all. I’m 74 today and run circles around men 20 years younger than me. I hike, bike, run, climb, do pretty much anything I want to. I don’t think the way spinal fusion is done today ever works as well as the way mine was done 60 years ago.

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

thank you so much for sharing your experience. so important to work hard to stay active. keep up the hard work.

[@rando6836]

I’ve had back pain for most of my life. I used to go to a chiropractor for it. Then I realized I could just stretch and adjust myself. I eliminate the bulk of my pain just by pulling on my spine a bit. “Oh, you’ll make it worse!” Nope. Haven’t. And I certainly haven’t made it as bad as ripping the discs out and replacing them would.

[@canadiangunguy5512]

I had a DIAM implant 5 years ago. Surgeon is a genius and recommended it over much more aggressive options. Best decision I ever made.

[@jamietrudeau4069]

Not me with two blown disks just ignoring my Dr and hoping for the best.

[@maecarpenter6735]

Same.

[@sabrinafelber]

I had no idea this was an option!

[@user-tr8nq7yb7n]

Literally just learned this in my med surg class

[@perrylc8812]

I had my neck fused 4-5 years back due to headaches that kept me chair bound for a year. It’s still hurts but with pain meds I can do some things. Now with the problem with the supply of pain meds I’ve been out for several days and now back to pretty much being chair bound again. Hopefully something will come in today. I’m still glad I had it done, but had no idea how much the cold and heat affects my neck pain now.

[@Da__goat]

Hey doc. I did a rotation with Dr Cantor, he made a lot of the tools used by orthopedic surgeons for fusions and replacements. A big thing he told me when I was seeing patients with him is that there is currently no perfect replacement for a disc as we can’t quite replicate both the compressive force and the stability provided by the nucleus and annulus. His specially is cervical spine but he can do the entire spine. Really interesting stuff

[@charlesclark6681]

Good explanation.

[@MyCatInABox]

God almighty How do gou guys DO that! And without rendering the patient into a quadriplegic!😮

[@VampyricDoge14]

My dad just had spinal surgery. He ended up with an abcess between the T4 and T5 iirc. They tried just going with antibiotic infusions, but after an MRI discovered that while the abcess was gone, there was still signs of infection in the bone on top of compression fractures in both vertebrae. It's great to learn he's gonna be dealing with this over and over for the rest of his life.

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

very sorry to hear, infection is always a feared complication. is he seeing improvement? hope all goes well.

[@richard1493]

Not having spine surgery can also lead to even more spine surgery than if you had done it in the first place. When it comes down to it, sometimes it’s a matter of getting the fusion done now when it’s inconvenient or later down the line when it’s life threatening. I’ve had five with one revision.

[@kalle-uo6fg]

Had lower back fusion (L3, L4 and L5) summer of 89 due to Spondylolisthesis found during middle school scoliosis testing. Knock on wood, other than some occasional nerve tenderness, I've been very, very lucky.

[@XenXenOfficial]

Wait. How does that last one work? Surely they can't move their legs right

[@jcabs1655]

Good information for all peple to take good care of their bones.

[@jeffwolf8018]

Of course my back surgeon never told me anything about that.

[@ShannaCinnamon]

My mom states: I already knew this. The question becomes if the spine is too unstable, and the patient is at risk for increased damage, such as paralysis, which is what was occurring in my case then it’s necessary. However, if the reason for considering the spinal fusion is due to musculoskeletal imbalance, such as weak hip flexors, then it’s absolutely contradicted. -sourced from my mom who has had the surgery. Also has many years of experience and schooling to understand these pieces of information.

[@robertdonahue2213]

Truth! My first fusion of L4L5 & SI vertebrae was in 2003. 2007 I had a Spinal cord stimulator implanted for pain and hardware removed. 2014 I had L3L4 fused! 2022 I had that hardware removed and then L1-L3 fused plus new hardware extending from L1toL4 for stability. Currently I’m having pain related to the hardware and chronic pain when I lay flat or reach up or arch my back. I wish disc replacement was offered to me.

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

very sorry you've been through such a tough course, but appreciate you sharing your experience. any additional insights or tips for others in similar situation?

[@seffffee1333]

Sadly we haven't got any decent methods on preservation of the subtalar joint in the foot. Wish there where advancements rather than me having to get a fusion

[@andyboog2010]

I make these disc replacement and the other plates that are used in these surgeries

[@Screwloosejr00]

Nobody told me this.. I wish they had 4 spine surgeries later

[@BoneDoctor_YouTube]

how is your back doing?

[@Screwloosejr00]

@@BoneDoctor_KZbin horrible pain above my last fusion

[@cco111]

9 compression fractures. When I bend over and place my hands on my knees, my thoracic verts slip and it make a very loud almost crunching sound. It’s quite disturbing and even more painful. I’m 31 and just got off Percs. Seeking all advice for relief.

[@nodatesape9124]

Ooooo, disc replacement! Thats gonna be a gamechanger!

[@JBulsa]

Use water 💧 absorption plant gel. Replacement disc

[@A-HotSauce]

Moral of the story leave the spine alone. Remind me of the dentist talking about my baby tooth pre molar that had to be removed 40 yrs later. the implant. It can fail, it has no flex so it can crack cause more issues. May need bone graffting due to bone loss. It will on last 10 to 15 years. Gum disease is a risk. I just said forget it ill stay toothless. Than do all this. Sorry to the people who have to go through this brutal.

[@AllaroundNbackagain]

Broke my back in a mva over 20 years ago. Was told my surgery outcome would be; better, no changes, paralyzed or die on the table. I said screw that 25% odds and have learned to live with the pain and found ways to work around it.

[@johnnytroher5610]

Been there done that. Life sucks now. Same pain I waa in before my fusions 10 years ago

[@bronsonleach3573]

I am young and don't have to worry about this for a awhile but I am concerned because I can't have general anesthesia at all it is to dangerous for me. I had experience with it before and my lungs refused to work and could never find out why because the anesthesiologist covered everything up. I do accept regional anesthesia well but I can't have sedation ether I am used to being awake in a surgical environment and understand everything going on.

[@rjayyamat4759]

Most surgeons say that disc replacements has a high failure percentage on Lumbars. But most due disc replacements on cervicals. Less weight pressure