So basically how a spinal fusion works is the vertebrae are scraped so they "think" they are broken. Bone is then scraped off of the hip area and laid over the vertebrae so that they will fuse and create one long bone. I like to think of it as changing your finger (which has several small joints and can bend) to being like your thigh bone-one big bone that does not bend. The rods are attached by screws and are implanted as an internal splint while the bone fuses over the course of about 6 months to 1 year. Once the vertebrae are fused, the rods are no longer needed, but they are not removed b/c to do so would involve another major back surgery.
I had a uncomplicated surgery. I checked into the hospital early in the morning, spoke with the anesthesiologist, was wheeled into to the operating room and woke up the next day at 4 AM. My surgery lasted 9 hours and my husband, dad, grandma, and minister's family (his wife and 2 kids who I am very close to) stayed the entire time. I apparently said "Hi" to them that evening, post-surgery but don't remember because I was not fully conscious.
The time in surgery is dependant on how rigid the curvature is and if there any additional measures that need to be done. I had met someone prior to my surgery that had 2 surgeries within 2 weeks-the first one was to remove old Harrington rods that had come loose from the spine and the second one was to put in new rods. These surgeries last I think between 14-20 hours each. My curve was pretty stiff which is why it took 9 hours to straighten my spine to a new and improved 20 degree curve and put in to hardware. I received between 50-60 staples running up the incision of my back plus stitches in my lower/back/hip area and 3 small drain tubes that hung down my back next to the incision (we can see them on my picture).
I had a uncomplicated surgery. I checked into the hospital early in the morning, spoke with the anesthesiologist, was wheeled into to the operating room and woke up the next day at 4 AM. My surgery lasted 9 hours and my husband, dad, grandma, and minister's family (his wife and 2 kids who I am very close to) stayed the entire time. I apparently said "Hi" to them that evening, post-surgery but don't remember because I was not fully conscious.
The time in surgery is dependant on how rigid the curvature is and if there any additional measures that need to be done. I had met someone prior to my surgery that had 2 surgeries within 2 weeks-the first one was to remove old Harrington rods that had come loose from the spine and the second one was to put in new rods. These surgeries last I think between 14-20 hours each. My curve was pretty stiff which is why it took 9 hours to straighten my spine to a new and improved 20 degree curve and put in to hardware. I received between 50-60 staples running up the incision of my back plus stitches in my lower/back/hip area and 3 small drain tubes that hung down my back next to the incision (we can see them on my picture).
I am going to have surgery in December to fix my scoliosis so I am assuming it will be a lot like yours. It will be a long surgery too and I really want to know how I can help build up my resistance and my strength before surgery. I swim and ride my bike, can't run anymore, so I walk. I try to eat properly and take vitamins, and minerals etc. I am 60 years old and I just want to do everything I can to help my body be ready for this surgery so that it will heal properly and without any problems. I will be meeting with several of the 'team' before the surgery to go over my pre-surgery tests and I hope I can get some answers then. I thought you of all people would know what I can do to achieve my goals to heal well and properly. Thank you for any input you can give me.
Posted by: dorothy head | 09/07/2009 at 12:19 AM
The advice given to me by my doctor was to get as physically strong and flexible as possible. It sounds like you know your body and what it can take and what is too much-you don't want to injure yourself in the process. It's great that you're already physically active. I found that strengthing my hips and legs was the most beneficial. I did squats, lunges, bridges, and walked on the treadmill.
I found that the side effects from the pain medication I was on post-surgery caused me to be nauseous and was very drying (rashes on my skin and trouble going to the bathroom-sorry if that's TMI, but no one told me to expect that). I tried to drink a lot of water, eat fruits and vegetables, flax and salmon for the Omega fatty acids and cut down on sugar because sugar causes inflamation.
Hopefully that helps. Let me know what else you want to know. Take care! Denise
Posted by: Denise | 09/08/2009 at 01:58 PM
Oh thank you Denise, this helps a lot. I needed to know all of what you said. I'm trying to get more into an exercise routine and I have a gym membership, but I love being outdoors, although it's awfully hot here in Texas. On the TMI, nothing is TMI to me right now!They have already told me that they will be helping me with things like constipation caused by the pain meds. I have to take something right now because the hydrocodone causes me problems, but I was glad to hear that they even think about those kinds of things. I am a 10 year breast cancer survivor and had tram flap reconstruction (that's where they take a wedge of fat, tissue etc and tunnel it up inside and bring it out where your breast was, to create a new breast mound).I'd never had major surgery before so I had no concept of pain, recovery etc. I actually did not think it was THAT painful, after all I had just done major surgery so there has got to be some pain, but at least I know the pain I have now will get better and go away after the surgery, whereas the pain I have now will not go away and will get worse. Did you get a lot of relief from your pain and when did that happen? Anyway they told me they thought I'd do well because I know about digging deep within myself to get past this kind of surgery. I hope they are right there! I hated being so helpless after though, or at least having so many restrictions. Also watching my husband and son not cleaning the house like I would!! However eventually I did get that back to do myself and I learned it wasn't the most important thing in the world anyway! It just tempted me more to do things I shouldn't be doing!! Naughty me! I eat pretty well but I do love sweets and I did not know that it caused inflammation. Did or do you have stiffness and inability to move your neck post op and now? I think I'm still afraid of being under anesthesia that long, and of post op complications. I had a very difficult year post mastectomy and spent a lot of time in the hospital and at home.Mind you I was over 200 lbs then and did not exercise so maybe the fact that I am no where like that anymore and I do exercise now will help me too. So anything else you thing of that would be helpful and can share with me will be most welcome.
Thank you again for your help.
Posted by: dorothy head | 09/11/2009 at 02:40 AM
Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on your 10 year recovery from breast cancer! I ahve a couple fo friends going through treatment now for breast cancer. It is alwasys inspiring to hear from other survivors. Just know that you are going to be in a lot of pain, but that's why they give you medication. My doctor's belief was take enough medication to be able to move because moving helps you recover. I was on hydrocodone and cyclobenzaprine. For the first month I was home I was taking about 4000 milligrams (1000 milligrams 4 times a day). I am sure that was why the side effects were so pronounced. I would gradually test myself to see if I could use less and do more (more time in between dosage and reducing dosage amount). I found taking small consistent steps in reducing medication and increasing exercise the most effective.
I did get very gentle massages about 2 months after surgery. My massage therapist had known me for years prior (and even came to visit me in the hospital) so she was very aware of my condition. The main concern my doctor told me was to not get to close to the incision as the pulling on the skin could cause it to pull apart. She also did reiki and energy work which I found helpful in my healing too.
You're going to want to find things to make you feel better. I remember just feeling generally crappy and I got tired easily and just wanted to rest. So on my daily walks I often went window shopping. I love shoes and there was a pair of beautiful two-toned purple stilettos at a shop around the corner from our apartment. After looking at them everyday for weeks, I bought them for myself on my birthday. Of course I couldn't walk around in them at the time, so I compromised-I wore them when I was laying in bed. They made me so happy!
Posted by: Denise | 09/24/2009 at 12:38 PM