But I think this is a bone/spine related issue, not a neurological problem right? Are you saying you would only let a neurosurgeon do the procedure?

Were you diagnosed with spondylolisthesis? Dr. Dossett did my back fusion in 2012 and neck fusion 4 months ago. The comment about not allowing a ortho do a spine surgery was ridiculous. Do your home work on picking a surgeon. I couldn't be happier with both of my fusions so far. Message me if you have any questions.

Bob, ortho and neurosurgeons do spine surgeries. Yes it is bone compressing nerves so pick your poison. Here where I work neurosurgery does 100% of the back/spine surgeries. We used to have an ortho guy here that did them and usually picked the large multi level cases. Sounds a lot like what Ted Martin described. Usually very involved, long cases and we would get them into the ICU because of prolonged anesthesia, pain, and sometimes considerable blood loss. He had good long-term success I know. Rarely have anything like that anymore but procedures have been improved as well as the hardware used.

Gotta realize there are multiple vendors providing hardware for internal placement for spine stabilization. Also frequent use of donor bone (it's ground to a powder and mixed with an epoxy to form bony bridging for fusion (over time the patient's bone will overgrow the bridge making the fusion complete). Differing problems have differing approaches and different surgeons have preferred hardware.

People suggesting this procedure or that procedure is kinda fruitless because every back is different, every injury is different, and the requirements are so varied. This is why you want a very experienced spine surgeon and even a surgeon that has done a fellowship in spine surgery. There is no substitute for an experienced skilled surgeon. This means check their references. Not saying the TFF OT surgical team suggestions aren't worthwhile but no one has seen your MRI's or is privy to your particular situation.

I do agree with the very possible potential of one surgery leading to another down the road but that isn't the rule. I had one neurosurgeon describe it as the spine is like a stack of coffee cups (the vertebrae) with saucers in between (the discs). As long as the order is maintained the stack is stable but remove a component and the stack is unstable. This where fusions and instrumentations come into play, they simply increase stability while maintaining spacing.

Good luck !

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt

My wife had three disks fused about 6 weeks ago. She was in the hospital 4 days and in the rehab hospital a week. She was in a lot of pain, but is doing much better now. Some days, she uses a walker, some days a cane, and most days now, nothing. There's a little pain now, but mostly in the morning after getting out of bed. They accessed the disk from the front and back. They also cut a hole in her left side for stem cells. Make no mistake, it's major surgery. Full recovery is as least two to three months. It also involves morphine, oxycontin, and other heavy drugs. Whatever you choose, good luck and God Bless!

I�ll have to have the same surgery some day. I may have missed it in a repsonse but have you tried the shots yet? They�ve helped me a ton!

Good luck everybody I know what your going through and life can be a challenge...But at least were still alive,

TLIF is the recommended procedure. It is similar to this here:

Just found out today I have arthritis in cervical spine and disks c4-7 (I think those were the numbers) are compressed.

Wish I would�ve taken better care of my body when I was younger. Although I�m only 46 and it has begun.

The warden had the facet rhizotomy procedure done on her neck 15 months ago.

She is still doing doing good for now.

Best of luck Bob with what ever you choose.

TLIF is the recommended procedure. It is similar to this here: yes it is diagnosed as spondylolisthesis.



Raybob, thanks for the details! I'm gonna give it a shot. I want to be as active as possible in my retirement days until I assume room temperature.

Bob - that looks pretty simple. I bet I could do that for tree-fiddy and save you some money.

You might want to consider having a Neurologist give a second opinion.

I had to have bi-level surgery on L-3 to L-5. Plates, screws, and fusion done. Trust me this is not just a simple operation the recovery time and the end results will vary. No horror story but it is a life changer. Feel free to PM me for more info.