Question 1

i had a fusion l4-s1 in 2/14 which did not fuse - no growth. i then had l3-s1 fused in 12/14. do u suspect i will need 2b off work longer this time?

Accepted Answer

Off work: I would think if you have a sedentary occupation you should be able to go back to work 4 to 6 weeks after surgery but please use your surgeon as the final decider of this

Question 2

i just had an l3-s1 fusion. do i need to be taking anti rejection medication?

Accepted Answer

No you don't: You don't need any anti-rejection medication. Your immune system does not form antibodies to implants. Even though at times rarely one may be allergic to the metal used, and may have allograft (cadaver) bone used in the fusion, it still does not typically trigger any significant immune response or rejection.

Question 3

is adding on to a fusion of l4-s1 more painful than the initial surgery? have to get l3/4 done and he said there may need to be revisions...

Accepted Answer

Unpredictable: the efficacy and complications of back surgery are unpredictable. They are an independent roll of the dice. The main determinant of how likely pain and other complications are to occur is how big the surgery. If one were very involed (like with additional steel hardware) and one were minimally invasive, the minimal surgery has minimal pain.

Question 4

i had a fusion of l3-l4 added to my l4-s1 fuslon from feb. when he got in he found out i had 4 loose screws & only 1/2 fused. what could cause this?

Accepted Answer

Possible reasons ---: include, poor quality of bone, infection, weakened bone due to some lesions; and improper immobilization post-surgery or due to, too early mobilization of the surgical site.

Question 5

hello, wondering if there is any history out there of women attempting vbac after 2 c-sections? i have a spinal fusion from l3-s1.

Accepted Answer

Speak with your OB : For a detailed answer and risk assessment. Keep in mind that it may be very difficult to place a successful epidural or spinal because of the fusion, so your likelihood of general anesthesia for an urgent/emergent C-section is greater.

Question 6

i have had l4/l5 fusion 2 years ago. now there are signs of severe damage to l3/l4 and l5/s1. what can i do to slow this damage down?

Accepted Answer

Comments: There was a study demonstrating progressive arthritic deterioration above and below the site of fusion, and this seems to be your issue.  Would definitely contact an expert spine surgeon but also get involved in aggressive rehabilitation program under supervision of expert physical therapy clinic.  A physiatrist is also recommended.

Question 7

i recently had l3-s1 fusion. will i ever be able to play golf again?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Focus on recovery from your procedure, reduction of post-procedure pain & residual symptoms and improvement of function. Many factors go into "return to play" decisions. Your surgeon will hopefully guide through this process. If cleared to golf, then working with a physical therapist with an interest/expertise in treating golfers may be helpful.

Question 8

pain in both thighs 5 mos after spinal fusion in s1 l4 . inject l3  4 only answer. ?inject there failed before operation.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Unfortunately,  spinal fusions are not as predictable as one would like.  Usually a fusion is performed secondary to instability, or secondary to the need for a decompression of the nerves, potentially leading to instability.  

While the goal is improvement of the pain,  there are usually residual discomforts,  including thigh pains.  Also,  the fusion may put additional stress on the level above.

Question 9

mri: l3/l4-disc bulging abuts thecal sac, superimposed facet degenerative changes, loss disc height. could my l4-s1 fusion have made worse?

Accepted Answer

There is a condition: known as adjacent segment disease in which a fusion may lead to altered spine mechanics and place increased load on the next adjacent spine segment but there may also be a genetic basis for this -it may also be due to smoking as well as to being obese .  May need to also focus on core strength ending exercises  but talk to your surgeon too

Question 10

i went for a spinal fusion on the 14th of november for l3 to s1 and up untill now there is one spot fluid still comming out its not sore or swollen?

Accepted Answer

Drainage: 2 main possibilities come to mind, normal, but protracted healing or an infected pocket.
The best to make that determination is your surgeon and they should now about your symptoms as they might need to take another look at the scar to insure proper healing.

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Doctor answers about:

Fusion on L3 to S1

A member asked:

I had a fusion l4-s1 in 2/14 which did not fuse - no growth. i then had l3-s1 fused in 12/14. do u suspect i will need 2b off work longer this time?

A member asked:

I just had an l3-s1 fusion. do i need to be taking anti rejection medication?

A member asked:

Is adding on to a fusion of l4-s1 more painful than the initial surgery? have to get l3/4 done and he said there may need to be revisions...

A member asked:

I had a fusion of l3-l4 added to my l4-s1 fuslon from feb. when he got in he found out i had 4 loose screws & only 1/2 fused. what could cause this?

A member asked:

Hello, wondering if there is any history out there of women attempting vbac after 2 c-sections? i have a spinal fusion from l3-s1.

A member asked:

I have had l4/l5 fusion 2 years ago. now there are signs of severe damage to l3/l4 and l5/s1. what can i do to slow this damage down?

A member asked:

I recently had l3-s1 fusion. will i ever be able to play golf again?

A member asked:

Pain in both thighs 5 mos after spinal fusion in s1 l4 . inject l3 4 only answer. ?inject there failed before operation.

A member asked:

Mri: l3/l4-disc bulging abuts thecal sac, superimposed facet degenerative changes, loss disc height. could my l4-s1 fusion have made worse?

A member asked:

I went for a spinal fusion on the 14th of november for l3 to s1 and up untill now there is one spot fluid still comming out its not sore or swollen?

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