Surgery to fuse vertebrae - how serious is this?

[ksr5377]

I'm asking because my MIL is having this done in about 3 weeks.  She just mentioned it today by asking if one of my daughters could help her clean in her house in a few weeks.  I'm trying to get a full pictures of all the possible scenarios surrounding this because she's divorced, my DH is an only child who will be working a lot and not able to help her and my oldest child is only 10. So knowing all of these facts, if the you know what hits the fan, I will be the one dealing with it. My MIL isn't big on offering details on things like this, but she doesn't seem to have a very high pain tolerance and does go on quite a bit about her aches and pains.  She brushed off any thought of us taking her to the hospital or picking her up?  Can you drive after this?  It just seems that if they're doing things to your spine recovery will be more involved than the impression she's giving me.

 

Please share your good and bad experiences with this.  I would rather have my eyes wide open than be surprised by complications.

[almondbutterandjelly]

We had a thread on this a couple months ago, and I can't find it.

 

My dd had spinal fusion surgery in March.  She was in the hospital 5 days.  Someone really needed to be with her the whole hospital stay because she was pretty out of it and in terrible pain.

 

Could not have driven herself home from the hospital as she was on a narcotic for pain.  Needed round the clock attention to med administration because everything was on a schedule.  That lasted about a week (after release from hospital).  The second week home still needed meds, but eased up some, schedule wise.  Fighting against constipation was a battle, too.  Have prunes and yogurt ready.

 

She was (and still is) on severe restrictions that include no turning, twisting, or bending.  So no laundry.  No lifting anything heavier than a milk jug.  No bending over to pick up stuff you drop on the floor (the ability to squat well again takes a few months).  Oh, no showering for two weeks.  That's fun.  

 

I don't know how many vertebrae are involved for your MIL.  My dd, it was most of her back.  Maybe if it's only a couple, they don't have as many issues?  I don't know.  HTH!

Edited August 21, 2017 by perkybunch

[City Mouse]

Man, I would start looking for a rehab place to have ready when she is discharged.

 

My mom (age 71 and not in good physical condition) was discharged after 5 days and she was still taking strong pain meds. She could not get out of bed by herself or get to the bathroom by herself. She had not pre-planned anything in advance other than having the maid come clean before. My dad found a rehab place for her with very little notice. It was actually a really nice place but my mom hated it. It took her an additional week to get to the point that she could get out of bed and go to the bathroom on her own before she came home.

[klmama]

Your MIL is already in major pain or she wouldn't be having this kind of surgery.  She probably thinks the surgery will make it all better.  Which it likely will, eventually, but not right away.  The doctor probably has not explained to her that the horrible pain she's in now is nothing compared to how much pain she'll have during her initial recovery - it will be a LOT more pain. She'll be taking major meds for that, and she won't be able to manage them safely on her own for a while.  She's definitely going to need help getting home from the hospital, and likely with using the bathroom, getting dressed, etc.  They'll want her up and around as soon as possible, but she'll still have a number of limitations, which she may try to ignore.  It would be in her best interest to have someone there to help with things she can't or shouldn't attempt yet; if that's not possible, a rehab center would probably be a good choice. 

[Sandragood1]

I think the severity depends on which vertebrae they are fusing. My mum has had quite a few in her neck and while it's no walk in the park the pain was very manageable and they had her up and walking the next day. Or maybe same day. Out of the hospital in 2 days.

 

Most recent surgery was 2016? She's mid 70's.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Sandragood1

[Jann in TX]

I had my spinal fusion in 2010 (wish I would have done it sooner!).

 

They had me walking the evening after the surgery (they went in through abs-- that makes a difference)... I did NOT want to walk! I think I said some unkind words to the nurse who had to assist me... (blame it on the drugs!).

I went home the next day as I was able to go to the bathroom alone...  I had major pain and took strong pain pills the first 3 days (I have a high tolerance of pain) and was on a liquid diet for the first 5 days until 'things' started moving...  I had lifting/bending/twisting restrictions for the first 60 days and was in a brace for almost 6 months (soft brace thankfully!).

 

The post op pain was from the abdomen-- my back pain was gone immediately after surgery!!!

 

I could NOT have done it alone-- in fact my DH had to sign a form stating that someone would be with me at all times (in the same house) the first 5 days (minimum- until my first post op Dr appointment).

 

I was healthy and in my mid 40's.

[SebastianCat]

I have a friend who had this surgery about a week and a half ago.   She said this has been the toughest recovery of any surgery she's had (and she is in her early 40's and is very athletic).   She was in the hospital for about 4 days, then needed care at home for several days.   Today was day 10 or 11 post-surgery and was the first day she was totally alone at home to take care of herself without her mom or husband there to help her.   She has a grabber to pick up things she drops, a walker to help herself stand up from the couch, and needs to change positions every 30 minutes or so.

 

If you or your husband can't physically stay with your MIL for at least a week post-op (and it's totally understandable if you can't), I think the idea of a rehab center is a really good idea.   Even better would be if you or your DH could go with her to her pre-op appointment with her surgeon to ask questions about how much care she'll need, how long she'll be in the hospital, etc.    If she refuses, then once she's in the hospital, ask to see the hospital's social worker or care coordinator, and ask them for a recommendation.   They shouldn't (and possibly won't) discharge her to home by herself if she isn't able to care for herself.

[ksr5377]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.  I now know that I MUST get more information out of her before this happens.  I mentioned it to DH and he seemed to think that since MIL asked for help cleaning she knew exactly what recovery would be like.  I think he's ridiculous. The last time she stayed in a hospital was when she delivered him 37 years ago!  She's never had a major surgery or needed help to the bathroom. I am praying that things go smoothly and recovery is simple like some posters mentioned, but I feel we need a contingency plan just in case.  

Edited August 22, 2017 by ksr5377

[RegGuheert]

A friend had this done.  He said it was a miracle cure.  He went in having severe pain and came out with no pain. 

[SanDiegoMom]

My husband had his c5 or c6 fused. Left the hospital that next day, on heavy pain meds a few days, and just really reduced activity after that. But his pain was MUCH greater before the surgery.

 

I did most of the cleaning, any lifting - he just rested and recovered for his 10 days of leave from work.

 

He was 36 however. Everyone recovers quicker when they are younger.

[Starr]

I can't imagine a scenario where she won't need someone with her for some amount of time. Don't take her home unless she can take care of herself or you can be with her. The hospital won't discharge her home alone unless the doctor okays it. They will find a rehab if needed. You can call her doctors office and ask to talk to the nurse. Tell her you are concerned about discharge plans and that your mil seems to think she's going home without any help. If she will need help a plan must be made. The nurse can't speak to you because of Hippa laws but they can listen and follow up with the patient.  :grouphug:

[rebcoola]

My dad had this done in his neck while he has limited movement in his neck for life the recovery overall wasn't that bad.  It was basically day surgery with pain meds. He had pt twice a week and couldn't drive until his neck brace was removed.  He is fairly active still.

Edited August 22, 2017 by rebcoola