If there is ANY way you can avoid this surgery, PLEASE do it!!!!! If you have it, you will just be lookiing at future surgeries down the line! Fusion tends to cause instability, thus making the levels above/below bulge and/or herniate and then you have more problems than you had before.

Also, if you're having the surgery because of PAIN, DO NOT EXPECT THE PAIN TO BE RELIEVED. Chances are you will STILL have the same pain or more. Pain is NEVER A REASON for surgery. Surgery only corrects mechanical problems, not pain.

I know you've had surgery before ~ I know you don't want several more. The ONLY way I would have surgery again is if I was in danger of paralyzation. Until then, they will not lay a hand on me!!! They've already caused me permanent nerve damage.

I'd go to pain management if I were you and play it safe;. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

i just had L4-5 decompression and fusion at the end of december. my second surgery at that level...but no fusion the first time. the pain in my leg has improved...it's too early to tell for the back...it does feel a lot more stable though. prior to the surgery there was a fracture, disk herniation and bone spurs...somehow the fracture was allowing my spine to twist under, which was rather alarming. anyhow, i agree with leeall, if you can avoid surgery, do. if not i'm not sure what the less invasive way is. i asked about a disk replacement as opposed to fusion but my surgeon was not a fan. he did warn me about the extra pressure it will put on the one above and below so i will need to maintain my core strength and mind my posture/body mechanics to reduce the risk of further injury. i really hope that you're able to find an answer that is less painful than the fusion route, but if not, i wish you the best of luck.

I had a C6-C7 fusion done in December 08. Yes, it can make the levels above and below it weaker and prone to instability. However, I was told by my doctor's PA that if the muscles surrounding it are strong and are exercised, that is where the stability will come from. Not sure, but I'm working on it.

I pray that God will give you wisdom for this decision! I know it's not easy.

I had fusion L3-4-5 last September. I know I needed it to stablize my spine because I had spondolythesis, but I am still in pain. I wouldn't say more that before the surgery, but sometimes it is just as much as before. I really wanted the pain to be much less and am still hopeful that will happen. I am sure that I need to lose some weight, exercise more, and strengthen my muscles and it would help some. Good luck on your decision.