spinal fusion and recovery

Has anyone had a spinal fusion (actually a TILF) I think that's what it's called? I did a search but no one really mentioned recovery. Curious how long recovery was, what is was like and if you still have pain and are able to participate in activities that you did in the past? i.e- sporting activities or if you have limitations.

Also would you recommend your doctor/hospital?
TIA!!!

Message edited 9/15/2013 5:40:15 PM.

Re: spinal fusion and recovery

Ughs! Me too. Just saw dr kevin mullins in w islip and fin out next week for sure. I am soooo scared but would love to hear real life experiences as well

Re: spinal fusion and recovery

I've never had it... But I work with patients who have had it done and they all do very well

spinal fusion and recovery

i've had 2. cervical and lumbar. recovery can vary. for lumbar, i was home 4 days after surgery. spent another week on the 2nd floor of my house. then started to do stairs slowly. it took a while, but it gets easier to move each week. just keep walking, which is all they will let you do post-op. as for activities, i've changed alot of what i do, i don't bend so easily, sitting on the floor is out. but i manage to keep busy and keep the kids busy. maybe not as much as before, but its not bad.

as for doc or hospital, Hospital for special surgery in the city. that's what they do. better care there, than at LIJ. and i had back surgeries as both hospitals. any of the docs at HSS are good. i personally use Harvinder Sandhu, and i've been happy with him.

spinal fusion and recovery

I had one about thirteen years ago. Dr. Neuwirth in NYC did it at Beth Israel. Def head into the city for it if you have to have it done. If you can't. Dr. Marc Agulnick trained with Neuwirth and I trusted his opinion. He's in Garden City and operates at Winthrop. When I had my spinal fusion I was released from the hospital after 4 days. Recovery was difficult for me. My sister was 13 when she had hers and she was totally fine within 2 weeks. There's a small section of my spine that's not fused, but it has a whole set of problems and they want to fuse it. I opted not to have the surgery, so I don't think it's fair for me to comment on activity after the surgery. My activity is limited because of the other issues. But if I recall, there was no reason normal activity wouldn't be able to resume after recovery.

Re: spinal fusion and recovery

I had an anterior/posterior spinal fusion at L5-S1 in 2006, at 22 years old. I went to Dr. Jeffrey Spivak in Manhattan, surgery was done at the Hospital for Joint Diseases. I loved my Dr. but I hated the hospital. They were severely understaffed (maybe b/c it was Labor Day weekend) but I had to wait for pain meds (once the morphine drip was removed) and quite a while for the nurse to come help me with the bathroom once the catheter was out. Not fun holding in pee after having your stomach sliced open I was in the hospital for 5 days.

Not going to lie, recovery was horrible. My mom stayed with me for a month to help...DH (boyfriend at the time) was busy with work and school so thank god for my mom.

I finally started really feeling better probably a month out of surgery. I started working 2 months later (teaching, on my feet all day and then going to grad school at night). Eventually, I was able to do anything I wanted. No restrictions. I was always an athlete so going back into the gym (after a lot of physical therapy) was nice. I also began yoga and Pilates, great for strengthening core which is so important for your back.

Even though the fusion was successful and 100% fused, I do still have back pain, pretty much on a daily basis, some days worse than others. I just deal with it. I do not want to go through another surgery.