Common Problems After Spinal Fusion Surgery

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Spinal fusion surgery is a form of traditional scoliosis treatment, and the goal of fusion surgery is to stop the progression of scoliosis. It normally involves fusing the most tilted vertebra on the top of scoliosis to the most tilted vertebrae on the bottom of the scoliosis and fusing everything in between. There are different types of spinal fusion, but they commonly involve rods and screws that attach to the spine, while bone grafts take place and fuse the spine together.

Any type of spinal surgery is a high-risk procedure, and because of the risk associated with spinal fusion, doctors normally wait for the scoliosis to become severe enough to warrant surgery.
- One of the most severe risks involved is nerve damage. The screws could damage or affect the nerves, and that can cause leg issues, paralysis, and weakness.
- Spinal infections can lead to joint damage that can be very difficult to treat.
- Adverse reactions to the hardware, the body could respond to a foreign object, and you can have an immune reaction with serious consequences where the hardware will have to be removed.

There is a lack of data on the long-term effects of scoliosis surgery 30+ years post-fusion. We do not have data to compare with patients who don't have surgery and how they would do if they left their scoliosis and dealt with its effects. Because of this lack of information, patients are wary of what's going to happen; hardware longevity is unknown, although it makes sense that it has a limited lifespan in the body. This increases the risk of multiple surgeries as you age.

There is a psychological effect of having a foreign object inside your body that you know isn't and fear of what could happen when you have an injury. Since we do not know the long-term effects, many people are looking for alternatives to spinal fusion.

There is a conservative nonsurgical approach to scoliosis called a functional approach or a chiropractic-centered approach to scoliosis. Called functional because the goal is to preserve spinal function as much as possible while improving alignment. This is normally done by integrating multiple forms of treatment into a comprehensive scoliosis approach that will reduce the curve while maintaining function.

All treatments are conditioned person specific. We can discuss a general idea of what can happen with a patient, but in order for scoliosis care to be successful, the patient has to be evaluated for the curve type, severity, and type of scoliosis, and the treatment needs to be customized for their specific scoliosis presentation.

The benefit of conservative treatment is that we can be proactive in treating curves at a smaller stage instead of waiting for the curve to become severe enough to consider our treatment option as it is non-invasive and low risk. It preserves spinal function, and the body can still move and function without worrying about the associated risks.

At The Scoliosis Reduction Center, we coordinate so one doctor manages every aspect of treatment so we know how every form of therapy is reacting with the other to provide the best outcome. It is this coordination that provides good results when looking at treating and managing scoliosis non-surgically. With conservative treatment, you can preserve normal spinal function and reduce the scoliosis and not deal with the risk associated with spinal surgery.

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00:00 What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery
00:56 What Are The Risks Associated With This Procedure
03:08 What Are The Long Term Effects Of Spinal Fusion Surgery
06:12 Psychological Effects
06:37 Is There An Alternative To Spinal Fusion
07:29 What Types Of Conservative Treatment Do We Use
10:23 Benefit Of Conservative Treatment
12:37 What We Offer At The Scoliosis Reduction Center

[samueleasterling]

Im 41 years old now at age 38 I was picking up some materials and my back went out i thought, i laid there and then finished working in major pain. I went to Neurosurgeon that week and i broke both L2 pars, L2 vertebrae collapsed shattered and shifted. I have dextro curvature in all 5 lumber, pinched spinal cord, 4 herniated disc and 3 bulging disc. I had to go 2.5 years before i could have surgery because of no insurance, i was also self employed. 2.5 years later we did laminectomy, donor material, i think a new vertebrae and fusion. Its been 10 months, i no longer walk with a walker and dont contemplate suicidal thoughts as much any more. However i still have tremendous nerve damage and constant muscle spasms. Im shooting for a normal life where i can feel productive. I can also no longer do the occupation i was in, have to find a new career. Thats my story. I hope the best to the rest.

[johnmitchell]

This was a great discussion. I unfortunately was talked into a lower back and neck fusion for degenerative disc disease The neurosurgeon said i had no other options Its been hell Im finally in pain management after many years of not getting any relief . Im still suffering but at least my 2 hydrocodone they allow me each day give me the ability to get a few things done.Please dont let them fuse your spine untill you have exhausted all other options

[jazmineroy]

i had a spinal fusion and discectomy and the difference is night and day. Numbness, weakness is gone. its been almost 2 weeks but I feel so much better

[Neecee]

My spinal fusion was a major malpractice surgery. I was paralyzed from the waist down all because the doctor left a piece of flesh on my spine and I never fully recovered, I've been partially paralyzed ever since.

[AllisonWenger-hkod]

Have idiopathic severe "S" curve scoliosis found at age 10. I have had 4 full spinal fusions since age 12. First didn't take, second at age 14 to correct it. Then a full revision done in 2009 which was 2 separate surgeries. In through front to add a carbon disc where one was crushed. Then through the back for full hardware removal and new hardware placement. While healing my spine broke just above the upper most fusion. Had another surgery going through my right side to fix broken spine. I am now 56 years old and in horrific whole body chronic pain daily. Wish I never had any surgeries for scoliosis! All I want to do now is die and be at peace. Please think carefully before undergoing spinal fusion!

[grandpajoe]

My Lumbar curve has exceeded 25 degrees and we are exploring surgery now, VA has transferred my treatment to KU hospital, thank God

[hoodnerd]

Many great points in the video! Love that u spoke about fragmented treatment as this is very common & had often been my experience in the past. A comprehensive approach is much more successful! Signed woman with over 11 levels of spinal fusion (approx 15 yrs out from surgery w/ severe case of approx 55 degree majority thoracic curve & now curvature approx 13 degrees). A possible surgery for the future? Very possible as u stated. But I have NO regrets!!! I’m hoping more studies are done re: long term effects of patients surgery vs. no surgery. Love this channel! ❤

[Healthyhealings]

After 14 spine surgeries and entire lumbar level being fused I have 1 MAJOR COMMENT: ONCE YOU START THIS “PROCESS “ IT IS NEVER BE PREPARED

[bigbadjohnpesek]

I cant speak for others but i can tell you what im going thru. First off i had the rods and screws put in my back. A month later getting out of bed i felt a sharp pain. Went to the surgeon for a follow up. Was informed one of the screws broke. Went in for surgery to replace the screw. Maybe a month later started feeling pain again. Went for a follow up and was informed the replacement screw was coming out of my back. Went in for surgery again where he replaced the screw with a bigger screw. Im in so much pain from that bigger screw that i cant stand up straight and im in pain all the time. The surgeon suggested i have an SCS put in my back. Did that, didnt work. Now i have went to a revisionist surgeon. He is going to remove all the shit in my back. I pray i am like i was before all of this craziness. I have so many scars on my back that it looks like hamburger. If you can avoid surgery DO IT.

[babblesp]

I had a fusion, laminectomy, and microdiscectomy at L4-S1, but not due to scoliosis. I had spondylolisthesis that resulted from me falling and breaking my back as a child. My vertebrae was slipped enough that it required surgery. I was skipped over and physical therapy or pain management because I was so severe. My surgery was in 2017. My fall was in the late 80’s. I went that many years with no treatment as I was only like 10 years old when I fell. I was grounded that day and I wasn’t supposed to go anywhere. I did, and I fell. I was afraid I’d get in trouble, so I didn’t say anything. Paybacks suck.

I deal with pain everyday. I don’t see pain management or any other doctor though. I use hot tubs a lot, I stretch a lot, and I relax when I need to. I consider myself lucky I’m still walking. I’m still not sure if I will always be able to. I’ve been told I have fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis too. I still work full time, but I don’t know if I always will be able to.

[allthingsmarva]

My neurosurgeon removed my screws in August 2023. Doing great now.

[sheliam.asiriuwa]

I had my L4/L5 done in 2018! The pain never stops 😢. One of my screws was placed in my back at a angle 😢!!!! Jesus Christ help me. I was injured on my job and I had to get a lawyer in order to get a MRI 😢( I had worked there for 28 years at the time)! Let’s not talk about the rods, the burning sensation that I have been experiencing since October 2017!

The burning 🔥 radiating pain all the way down my left side. The burning sensation where I was cut at. The surgery was to last 1 1/2 hours no sir it was 7.5 hours. A disease specialist came in because my white blood cells were many. The man cut my bladder and never told me. It took my ob/gyn to see this . I was sent to a neurologist. Jesus.

I can be a meteorologist for the area I live in.

[j.rogercavanaugh]

I had a hip replacement in 2020. It went ok till after a few months the hip joint began sublexing. My surgeon felt it sublexing but at the same time we couldn’t get it to sublex when doing a fleuroscopy. I worked on strengthening and it quit sublexing. In August 2023, I had 2 fusions done. One at L2-L3 lateral cut and one at L5-S1, anterior cut. Then I had a huge herniation at L2-L3 and had revision surgery which was a laminectamy, disectomy and fusion, posterior cut. This cured everything! I felt great! Then in June 2024, I began experiencing hip pain which has since became unbearable. What’s your diagnosis of this? I felt better than I have in years, then my hip replacement began hurting! I’m sad, angry, depressed, and don’t know what to do…

[janistotham-davies]

My fusion with rods and screws has been an utter disaster!

[salty]

I was fused from T2-L2 to correct a 75 degree scoliosis, the surgery went fabulously and my curve was reduced to about 10 degrees.

I am currently 3 weeks post op and only experiencing pain caused by tight muscles, which is a lot better than before the surgery where I was in pain everyday and had trouble breathing.

I am truly blessed to have had such a successful surgery and I hope everyone else who is suffering may find their solution ❤❤

[Devspark]

Is there any risk for discectomy. I bulged my l4 l5 and dr is suggesting for lumbar discectomy

[VENTUREVOYAGERS]

Laminecting I spine decompression fuxion fixata
Will the rods and plates be removed later and is there is there any risk ?

[tiffsaver]

I find it absolutely SHOCKING that after so many years of spinal fusion surgery, there has been ZERO actual research data collected to ascertain the actual long-term effectiveness of the procedure!!! This is completely insane in my view, a blight upon the entire reputation of sound medical science and technique.

[sebastianbillings]

Is it possible an infection or hematoma in proximity to the surgical site cause the fusion to fail ? I had a fever for a week or two but the hospital ignored it because it wasn’t over 102° but it was frequently over a hundred.( At one point briefly crested 102) I had shakes and chills. Fever went away but during that time the pain was unimaginable.. It sounded like in the movies when they’re taking a bullet out in a warehouse w crude tools- they did a ct a month later and there was a 6*7cm hematoma. This eventually went away
I did better for a while eventually, but have ended up not much better than pre op at one year. What I’m wondering is…. Is it possible the hematoma and complications interrupted or caused damage that wouldn’t show up on an mri or ct. but did somehow affect the fusion process
?

[supernova]

I have mild scoliosis, stenosis, cervicothoracic spondylosis, DDD, and arthritis in thoracic spine. Prior TLIF L4-S1 and auto fusion from adjacent segment at L3-4. It all started from L4-5 central disc herniation and L5-S1 left lateral HNP. Post op recurring HNP with retrolisthesis at L4-5 after microdiscectomy. My whole spine has been affected over the years since lumbar surgery due to arthritis I believe. Can’t do chiropractic care bc of my pump and SCS. I get ESIs nerve blocks and RFAs. Nerve ablation every 6 months at thoracic bc the pain goes to my ribs and chest as well as muscle spasms. What caused thoracic scoliosis and is there anything else I can try?Thanks ☺️👍