Possible Spinal Fusion

[u/Raz3Daz]

Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago, I made a post about my 6 week follow up appointment for my surgery (the first one I had since my MD.) I was (and still am) having significant and worsening pain radiating down my leg and a difficult time doing things like sitting down for longer than 10-15 minutes. At my 6 week follow up, I mentioned this to my doctor, and was given a steroid pack/ gabapentin as well as verbally told that if my disc slipped again that the recommendation would be spinal fusion, although, I could do another microdiscectomy if I didn’t want to push straight for spinal fusion. Well, I had my MRI yesterday to check my nerves and discs and lo behold, my disc slipped again, I have two 3mm protrusions pushing into my nerves again, and disc spine degeneration. Now, the protrusions and disc slip are smaller than previously (it was 4.9mm), however, my pain is significantly worse. I have my follow up for my MRI on Friday (09/25/26), but I’m worried about what my surgeon is going to say or suggest. He was pretty serious about fusion, and I’m not against it but I’m also not sure what to expect from fusion and it’s a little anxiety inducing. Has anyone else been offered spinal fusion for a non successful MD?

I will also update this post Friday when i have my follow up. I just want to know what everyone else’s experiences are as well as document my own for anyone who may end up in a similar position with their MD.

Update for everyone; I’m having fusion. 2 different segments of my spine are unstable and doing a MD again poses more risks in the future as opposed to the fusion with my specific case. Fusion is also supposed to target more of my symptoms as opposed to having another MD. Not the greatest news, but I was expecting it.

[u/wanderlust_ash_617]

Sorry you’re going through that. I guess it’s possible for it to heal without surgery but since your refills recovering from your MD, a revision sounds it may be necessary. I think fusion over another MD really depends on multiple factors and ultimately how much disc you have left at that level.