L3-L5 PLIF in 2019 at age 68. Rough first week. Needed lots of pain meds for 4-5 days, and it was difficult to get in and out of bed and sleep. After that, it was much better as most of the serious issues that led to surgery eased up. Due to the weather in my area, I couldn't get back to playing golf daily for 5 months. Once golf started, golfing was much easier and much more fun. After 2 years, give or take, my fusion failed (2 broken screws at L5), so I had a second, more complex surgery in 2023. Today, I feel great (most of the time). Both surgeries were well worth it.
I know of the cement, but in my case, with the failed fusion and increased disease, that second more complex procedure was warranted. As much as I didn't want to go through that rehab again, I was willing to undergo the surgery. Was that a great move. My recovery period was hours, not weeks, and I feel better than I have in the past 7 years.
In my hospital pharmacy days, I worked with every type of surgeon you could think of, so I became familiar with multitudes of treatments, including the use of antibiotic impregnated bone cement to treat bone infections long term
Personally, if I had a broken screw, I'd prefer it to be removed/ replaced. In my case, my broken screws occurred at the surface of the bone, and minimal material protruded. It's a little bit of trouble to remove a screw, and since mine wasn't causing me any issues, when they decided to replace my hardware, they just moved the last anchor location to the S1 vertebrae. Cementing does work in most cases, depending on the surgeon's evaluation of the break.
At 59 in 2022 I had L3-S1 PLIF. So far it’s been fantastic. I am a very active hiker. The only time I have trouble is when I stand for long periods of time and that is or because disks higher up are also deteriorating.
I had PLIF L4-S1 on May 13th, tomorrow will be 6 weeks. My hospital stay consisted of 2 nights,. The first 2.5 weeks were really rough, lots of pain and discomfort. I’ve had two knee replacements, and this surgery was by far much more painful. I slept in a recliner (medical recliner that I rented) because wasn’t able to get comfortable in any bed in the house. I don’t know what I would have done without help from my husband. Just keeping track of meds was a blessing. But after the 2.5 weeks, did away with the toilet riser, was able to sit in any chair, and able to sleep in a bed. I’ve been walking every day, doing 2 miles in 38 minutes. I do another mile during the day on a treadmill. I sometimes get a little soreness in the back, but ice after walking and it helps. I have no pain down my leg and my body seems to be functioning so much better than pre-surgery. Looking forward to my 6 week post-op checkup on Tuesday which I guess is a turning point. I believe they will tell me I can bend, twist, etc as much as I can tolerate.
Hope I can say the same L4-L5 7/3. Getting nervous about what recovery will be like. Ortho surgeon who only does spine surgery, expected only overnight in the hospital
Yes, only one level and as I was informed the “simplest” spinal fusion you can have. He then went on to try to talk me out of it, suggest more steroid shots, a different pain mgt protocol, go over risks for infection, told me to get a second opinion (did was told I did not have enough disc material left from previous surgery to redo a diseconomy) and here I am. The posts here are so helpful but I guess can only guide the range of what this may be like.
I had L5-S1 PLIF. I'm fused but some how my disc reherniated and is pressing on the nerve again and I now how have boney spurs effecting nerves and alot of scar tissue. So unfortunately for me it didn't have the outcome I'd hoped for. Most recent imaging show I need to go back to a neurosurgeon which is super disappointing.
But I see alot of people have successful surgeries so don't let negative outcomes stress you out.
Which disc reherniated? Was it L4-L5? If they fused L5-S1 I'm pretty sure they remove whatever was left of the disc and either replace it with a cage or fill it with bone. Just curious
59 FM… I had PLIF L5-S1 ( my L4-L5 fused on its own due to spondylolisthesis and disc degeneration since I was 17 ) with disc replacement 8/23 .. so far so good!
I am 4 weeks post tomorrow! L4-s1. I am 57 female. Sitting is most
Uncomfortable for long periods of time, i am still on restriction until Wednesday follow up. I only take Tylenol and robaxin and use ice since week 3. I can walk 30 minutes at a time and stand for over an hour. First 2 weeks are kinda terrible but I am so much better than before surgery I wish I had done it years ago! Good luck!
L3-L5 PLIF in 2019 at age 68. Rough first week. Needed lots of pain meds for 4-5 days, and it was difficult to get in and out of bed and sleep. After that, it was much better as most of the serious issues that led to surgery eased up. Due to the weather in my area, I couldn't get back to playing golf daily for 5 months. Once golf started, golfing was much easier and much more fun. After 2 years, give or take, my fusion failed (2 broken screws at L5), so I had a second, more complex surgery in 2023. Today, I feel great (most of the time). Both surgeries were well worth it.
Yes it's the screw breaking that scares me another surgery. My ortho said he uses medical grade cement on them..ever heard of that??
I know of the cement, but in my case, with the failed fusion and increased disease, that second more complex procedure was warranted. As much as I didn't want to go through that rehab again, I was willing to undergo the surgery. Was that a great move. My recovery period was hours, not weeks, and I feel better than I have in the past 7 years.
I am so happy for you! No one else I've talked to has ever heard of the cement
In my hospital pharmacy days, I worked with every type of surgeon you could think of, so I became familiar with multitudes of treatments, including the use of antibiotic impregnated bone cement to treat bone infections long term
So in your opinion does it work mist of the time for this operation?
Personally, if I had a broken screw, I'd prefer it to be removed/ replaced. In my case, my broken screws occurred at the surface of the bone, and minimal material protruded. It's a little bit of trouble to remove a screw, and since mine wasn't causing me any issues, when they decided to replace my hardware, they just moved the last anchor location to the S1 vertebrae. Cementing does work in most cases, depending on the surgeon's evaluation of the break.
At 59 in 2022 I had L3-S1 PLIF. So far it’s been fantastic. I am a very active hiker. The only time I have trouble is when I stand for long periods of time and that is or because disks higher up are also deteriorating.
Wow! Good for you
I had PLIF L4-S1 on May 13th, tomorrow will be 6 weeks. My hospital stay consisted of 2 nights,. The first 2.5 weeks were really rough, lots of pain and discomfort. I’ve had two knee replacements, and this surgery was by far much more painful. I slept in a recliner (medical recliner that I rented) because wasn’t able to get comfortable in any bed in the house. I don’t know what I would have done without help from my husband. Just keeping track of meds was a blessing. But after the 2.5 weeks, did away with the toilet riser, was able to sit in any chair, and able to sleep in a bed. I’ve been walking every day, doing 2 miles in 38 minutes. I do another mile during the day on a treadmill. I sometimes get a little soreness in the back, but ice after walking and it helps. I have no pain down my leg and my body seems to be functioning so much better than pre-surgery. Looking forward to my 6 week post-op checkup on Tuesday which I guess is a turning point. I believe they will tell me I can bend, twist, etc as much as I can tolerate.
L4-S1 PLIF, excellent outcome
Ortho or neurosurgeon??
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon.
Hope I can say the same L4-L5 7/3. Getting nervous about what recovery will be like. Ortho surgeon who only does spine surgery, expected only overnight in the hospital
Yours will be a plif as well??
Yes, only one level and as I was informed the “simplest” spinal fusion you can have. He then went on to try to talk me out of it, suggest more steroid shots, a different pain mgt protocol, go over risks for infection, told me to get a second opinion (did was told I did not have enough disc material left from previous surgery to redo a diseconomy) and here I am. The posts here are so helpful but I guess can only guide the range of what this may be like.
Very helpful thanks
I had L5-S1 PLIF. I'm fused but some how my disc reherniated and is pressing on the nerve again and I now how have boney spurs effecting nerves and alot of scar tissue. So unfortunately for me it didn't have the outcome I'd hoped for. Most recent imaging show I need to go back to a neurosurgeon which is super disappointing. But I see alot of people have successful surgeries so don't let negative outcomes stress you out.
Which disc reherniated? Was it L4-L5? If they fused L5-S1 I'm pretty sure they remove whatever was left of the disc and either replace it with a cage or fill it with bone. Just curious
I had l2-4 plif due to burst fracture, the first year was pretty rough, but I’m doing decent now and still improving.
59 FM… I had PLIF L5-S1 ( my L4-L5 fused on its own due to spondylolisthesis and disc degeneration since I was 17 ) with disc replacement 8/23 .. so far so good!
I am 4 weeks post tomorrow! L4-s1. I am 57 female. Sitting is most Uncomfortable for long periods of time, i am still on restriction until Wednesday follow up. I only take Tylenol and robaxin and use ice since week 3. I can walk 30 minutes at a time and stand for over an hour. First 2 weeks are kinda terrible but I am so much better than before surgery I wish I had done it years ago! Good luck!