Quote Originally Posted by Wes View Post
i had 5 lower lumbars fused in 1973. walking was difficult and pain was sometimes unbearable. the cause is a congenital defect. the vertebrae didn't develop so they'd interlock. the dr. fused every other vertebrae and built the others up with bone from my hip so they did interlock which left me some twisting and turning motion. at nearly 67 it's still working well most of the time but sometimes i need pain meds or stretching or rest. mostly i need to be very careful how i lift anything.

the sad thing is it doesn't work for everybody and the success ratio for pain reduction is low. pick your dr. carefully and ask plenty of questions. get more than 1 dr. involved. try everything you can before surgery.
Really glad to see you posting Wes. Was thinking of you while in the doctors office the day you had surgery. I have been praying extra hard for you. Sound advice about second and third opinions too. Thanks for posting!