the doc says I need to have s1-l5-l4 fused in my back. any riders out there had this procedure? what's you riding experience like since the surgery? I don't want to give up riding but damn - my back ain't cooperating.

 

Coincidentally, I have that exact fusion. It took two surgeries to complete. Things were done different in 1987. First they put the bone graph and hardware then in 1989 they removed the hardware and added cadaver bone to the graph. About 4 months after the first surgery I was riding up a storm. Then same with the second. I was virtually pain free for about 20 years. Due to stenosis that has developed I have had two more surgeries and am looking at a fifth. As far as the fusion goes, it feels great and is still solid. I just have new issues. To be honest, now days the only time my back doesn't hurt is when I am riding. I can ride all day with no problems and I had to give up the hardtail a ways back. Hope this helps and I wish you the best. Disclaimer: Your results may very.

 

I had that same fusion back in2001. Right now I'm riding an 87 Sportster 1100 an can ride for at least an 1 1/2 hrs or until I have to fill up. Only pain occasionally but a couple of ibuprophen take care of it. Good luck on the surgery

 

Doctors and surgical techniques are doing wonders these days, but surgery should still be the last and final option after all other long term attempts have failed. Only you know the answer to that.
Get second opinions.

I've had extensive spinal surgery C-1 thru C-6.
S-1, L-4 & 5 are seriously degenerating. I've had some very concerning issues over the years, but with care and a good physical therapy routine and yoga I manage to stay comfortable and most of the time totally free of any discomfort.

Wish you the best.

 

Dude,

I have witnessed countless(over 20) people undergo this procedure and it is bunk. I had only a laminectomy and it resolved all of the radicular pain which was the only pain for me which I could not tolerate. Be CAREFUL. I have had clients undergo this procedure and immediately go into a downslide ending in either death or the loss of all things in life. 337-459-3877 if you still do not believe me. I have advised against this procedure for years now and they are just coming out with the research to prove you are more than likely not better off with this surgery. Do not do it. Have he lammy only.

Pinetop

 

It's been 5 weeks since I blew a disc in my back
I've had L4/M1 fused in 85, total hip replacement in '03

Now I ve got to have a gross laminectomy to correct stennosis, arthritis and more metal put in my back to correct curviture of the spine
I have not been able to walk even with a walker for a month if I can awl my legs come out from under me nfor no reason without warning,
this is my last shot

PS. I'm scared shitless, just a month ag I was pulling loaded 1 1/2 line, now I can't pull my zipper

 

And there he is. Everybody knows at least one person that just loves to dredge up the horror stories. How can you possibly recommend a procedure when you have no idea what his problem is. I didn't read where he laid out his entire diagnosis. I broke my back and had shards of bone cutting into my spinal chord. Tell me doctor, would you have recommended a laminectomy for me? Unless you've seen any cat scans, MRI. or x-rays you can't possibly recommend that. I too know a couple others that have had fusions and have great success. What good does it do to do anything but recommend talking with his Dr. or Drs. or give your own personal experience.

 

I had a 360 fusion done in 97 (failed), worst mistake of my life. I can barley ride anymore due to the constant pain. I should have stopped after my first simple disc job (l4-L5). That one fixed all the leg pain, but more lower back area pain had me chasing surgeries to correct it. They were all mistakes! I am now fused from T12-L5, and am in constant pain.
I wish I had waited for new procedures, but back then I was so damn miserable, I was ready to do whatever they asked to get out of the horrible pain.
If they tell you a fusion will get rid of your pain, they are LYING! I almost died from 2 different infections from the fusion surgery, putting me back in the hospital two more times for almost 2 months before the infection was finally cleared. I was changing dressings for over a year!
Some hospitals have very high infection rates, something they don't tell you when you sign up for the surgery. Sure, they will tell you there is a chance of infection, but what they don't tell you is how high the rates are!
If I could redo the past, I would have stuck with just the first disc trimming, and then gone for more PT to strengthen the muscles in that area. Or some decompression treatments that they have these days. Anything but chasing more surgeries, that was my worst mistake. But when you are in horrible pain, you will do anything trying to get rid of it.
There are a lot of new procedures these day, artificial discs, micro surgery where they inject cement into the vertebra to strengthen them. Decompression machines to help with pinched nerves, etc. The problem comes when fusion fails, and you are left with
a non fusion like I have, and no one wants to touch you now because you are so screwed up. If I didn't have a dozen pedicle screws with rods and plates holding me together, I would be worse off than I am now. At least they hold me together.
If there is any way you can deal with this without fusion, that is what I would recommend. Fusion should be a last resort when all else fails.
Now, I realize that many people have had successful fusions, and that's great, I am happy for them, just wished that I was one of them... :-(

peace

 

I screwed up my back 15 years ago. L4, L5, S1 disk bulges, with S1 classified as a "massive bulge". I have managed to avoid surgery even though my doctors said there was no way I could deal with the pain without it. I have had at least 15 epidurals, decompression therapy, chiro etc...I also keep in shape.

I am now having neck issues (which are more painful than my back) and have been getting treatments to try and stay away from surgery. I know someday I will have to go under the knife, but I am trying to hold off as long as possible because technology is always improving.

 

That's a very wise decision if you ask me!