Question 1

doc wants to remove disk and do fusion, herniated disk l5 s1. what is recovery time and what is there a high chance of pain relief?

Accepted Answer

Depends on procedure: There r many ways 2 fuse: anterior, posterior, or both. The 1 2 best advise u is ur surgeon. If u have doubts get an answer 2 which procedure is proposed ; why. If still not satisfied getting a second opinion is in order, but get all the details 1st.

Question 2

i heard  fusion is the best way to fix severe disc desiccation on l5-s1.  all other nonsurgical procedure didn't work the past 4 yrs.time for surgery?

Accepted Answer

Replacement possible: Fusion is gold standard but disc replacement is done as well at this level. Goggle active xl and prodisc for lumbar disc replacement to learn more. This is done in limited centers in us. Dr jochen feil md in hiddleburg germany is an e pert in this procedure.

Question 3

i have an l5 s1 herniated disc. i am having surgery next week. what can i expect? how long is recovery time? will i be able to perform daily tasks?

Accepted Answer

Recovery: This is variable for each individual, some can be many weeks, some can be many months. This involves your spinal cord and if not dealt with carefully can lead to paralysis. This conversation needs to be between you an your neurosurgeon. Follow up closely, best of luck to you in your procedure.

Question 4

protruding disc l4-5 l5-s1 touching both s1 roots, indents thecal sac, neural narrowing. is this a serious problem? whats the estimated recovery time?

Accepted Answer

Not usually: This condition is common and generally not serious. They will generally heal with time, physical therapy and exercise to strengthen the core muscles.  If this fails to improve with this over 8 or more weeks i recommend you get a surgical consultation from a neurosurgeon.

Question 5

i've had a fusion and discectomy l5-s1 7 weeks ago i have had a lump about an inch above the incision site which gets bigger at times and is tender,?

Accepted Answer

Varies : There are multiple potential considerations.  It can be a reaction to the suture mistrial at the top
Of your incision, it can be the spinous process right above your surgery, which can become more prominent especially if the lower spinous process is removed, it can be a fluid collection known as a Seroma as well.  I would not hesitate to make your surgeon aware.

Question 6

after l5-s1 fusion i continue w/ the same diag. l5-s1 herniation, why can't it be surgically corrected ?

Accepted Answer

Read this: Do your self a favor and read a book by dr john sarno "healing back pain".
It will help you a lot.
Good luck.

Question 7

i have a reherniation and collapsed disc at the l5-s1 level. in 2006 i had a microdiscect at the same level. is microdiscect or fusion appropriate now?

Accepted Answer

It depends: If you only have leg pain, then redo-microdiscectomy is the appropriate surgery. If you have severe back pain worse than leg pain, then fusion is the better surgery for you. The back pain should be in the center and should be associated with movement and use of your back. If you have both that are equal, you can have either but discectomy may leave you with back pain requiring fusion in the future

Question 8

is it possible to be anesthetized for a spinal fusion of l5/s1?

Accepted Answer

Yes: All spinal fusions are done with some form of anesthesia.

Question 9

l5&s1 fusion 10/10/13. how soon can i have an mri?

Accepted Answer

Usually 6 wks after: Usually you can have an MRI 6 weeks after your surgery, provided that all the devices are MRI safe.  Typically with fusion, all the implanted hardware is MRI safe.  If you have an epidural pain pump, that is another story and should be discussed with your doctor.

Question 10

i have had a two-level spinal fusion (l5-s1). what is the best way to avoid (or prolong) adjacent disc disease?

Accepted Answer

Not much : Accelerated adjacent segment degeneration is relatively common and concerns
adverse effects following spinal fusion. It
is believed that this accelerated degeneration
is due in large part to increased
mechanical stress on the adjacent motion
segments. Stay in shape, do not gain weight.

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Doctor answers about:

L5 s1 fusion recovery time

A member asked:

Doc wants to remove disk and do fusion, herniated disk l5 s1. what is recovery time and what is there a high chance of pain relief?

A member asked:

I heard fusion is the best way to fix severe disc desiccation on l5-s1. all other nonsurgical procedure didn't work the past 4 yrs.time for surgery?

A member asked:

I have an l5 s1 herniated disc. i am having surgery next week. what can i expect? how long is recovery time? will i be able to perform daily tasks?

A member asked:

Protruding disc l4-5 l5-s1 touching both s1 roots, indents thecal sac, neural narrowing. is this a serious problem? whats the estimated recovery time?

A member asked:

I've had a fusion and discectomy l5-s1 7 weeks ago i have had a lump about an inch above the incision site which gets bigger at times and is tender,?

A member asked:

After l5-s1 fusion i continue w/ the same diag. l5-s1 herniation, why can't it be surgically corrected ?

A member asked:

I have a reherniation and collapsed disc at the l5-s1 level. in 2006 i had a microdiscect at the same level. is microdiscect or fusion appropriate now?

A member asked:

Is it possible to be anesthetized for a spinal fusion of l5/s1?

A member asked:

L5&s1 fusion 10/10/13. how soon can i have an mri?

A member asked:

I have had a two-level spinal fusion (l5-s1). what is the best way to avoid (or prolong) adjacent disc disease?

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