So I'm just curious if anyone here has had to fuse a vertebrae or two and what your experience was like? How long after the surgery did it take you to heal?
Seems like a crazy scary surgery. They make artificial discs now too.
~Michelle
Fusion
Fusion
I got a bulging disc about six months ago and it sucks. I know I won't need surgury and that it'll heal eventually but it did get me thinking about herniated discs, fused vertebrae, and whatever. I hear the surgery has a 50/50 success rate.
So I'm just curious if anyone here has had to fuse a vertebrae or two and what your experience was like? How long after the surgery did it take you to heal?
Seems like a crazy scary surgery. They make artificial discs now too.
~Michelle
So I'm just curious if anyone here has had to fuse a vertebrae or two and what your experience was like? How long after the surgery did it take you to heal?
Seems like a crazy scary surgery. They make artificial discs now too.
~Michelle
Does he have a strange bear claw like appendage protruding from his neck? He kep petting it.
I'm curious, which disc is bulging, and is it the result of inflammation or displacement of the annulus fibrosis (slipped disc)? Also, How do you know for certain it's a bulging disc, has there been an MRI scan and a medical diagnosis or is it a self diagnosis? A bulging disc is not necessarily a recipe for fusion or any other invasive proceedure depending on location and severity. The best initial treatment is probably therapy, ice and rest, and focusing on correct posture and mechanics. PM me and I'll give you the name of an excellent back specialist who is not surgery happy and often uses therapy as the first method of treatment. I have a degenerative disc problem that I've been working with for about 2.5 years and I'm as physically active as ever.
PS he's local to Lexington
PS he's local to Lexington
Obcessed is what lazy people call those of us who are dedicated!
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Guest
Michelle, people who have fusion often develop problems adjacent to the fused discs down the road since fusion restricts normal movement of the spine. Studies show that 5 years later, people who opt not to have the surgery are doing as well as or, often, better than people who do have the surgery. At least that was statistically true when I injured my back and was told by 3 surgeons to have surgery or I'd never function again. I did not have fusion surgery.
Disc replacement has come a very long way in recent years and I anticipate that will be in my future, once the technology is proven.
Disc replacement has come a very long way in recent years and I anticipate that will be in my future, once the technology is proven.
I have a bulge between C5-6 and have gone through all the steps; MRI, physical therapy, doctors, etc. It affects my right arm which sucks more than the neck. But it'll get better. I'm not interested in surgery at all. I was really just curious if anyone has had it and what they're healing time was like. Were they pain free within a month? From what I understand, they go in through the throat area.
Does he have a strange bear claw like appendage protruding from his neck? He kep petting it.
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longlegsrule
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:21 pm
My mom had 3 fused....but that was years and years ago when she was around 16 yrs old (now 60).
I think she was in a full body cast for 6 wks.....doesn't feel any pain from that one
She has spondylolisthesis and where that first surgery in her lower back shortened her a whole inch...now she needs some fused in her neck but doesn't want to go through another surgery.
I think she was in a full body cast for 6 wks.....doesn't feel any pain from that one
She has spondylolisthesis and where that first surgery in her lower back shortened her a whole inch...now she needs some fused in her neck but doesn't want to go through another surgery.
From Kentucky ;o)