The good, the bad and the ugly regarding my spinal fusion surgery, including recovery, eventual results and a skunk.
Exactly one year ago, to the minute as I write this at 6:15 AM, I was being driven to the hospital for 4-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Since it was such a major event in my life, I couldn’t see not observing such a huge personal milestone with a summary of the ups and downs of recovery and the eventual outcome.
Hopefully this will be the last time I feel compelled to broach the subject.
My orthopedic surgeon told me that recovery, however it ends up being defined in my case, would take about 6 months, with a few of his patients reporting continued recovery for up to a year. I found “recovery” to be a benign-sounding word when compared to the brutal reality of it all. For about nine months I was in almost constant pain, for most of that time I was even less mobile than I’d been prior to surgery and I struggled psychologically. Seeing little or no improvement for so long while I was in significant pain was massively depressing.
Then one day I realized that I was doing things that I hadn’t been able to do since the surgery, and in some cases since long before surgery. I could stand for longer, walk up and down stairs and even put on socks with significantly less pain. Trips to the grocery store were no longer a physical ordeal. I was using my cane and my “grabber” less and less as time went by. Eventually I mowed my lawn for the first time (neighbors had been doing it for me – thank you Shane and Ryan!), cleaned my incredibly messy garage and even worked on a few projects out there.
Now, at one year post-op, I can do most of those things and others with no pain at all as long as I don’t push it too far, too fast. I’m even beginning to think that I may be able to hike short distances while carrying my tripod and camera gear for bird photography, which is something I haven’t been able to do for more than three years. I haven’t tested it yet but I’m reasonably optimistic. With all those rods and screws in my back I’ll never be as flexible as I used to be but that I can live with.
Caveat, there’s always a caveat. Prior to surgery my surgeon told me that my entire back was “a mess” and I may face further issues with it down the road. Some of those issues, unrelated to the problems I had in my lumbar spine, may be raising their ugly heads already as I’m beginning to have problems with my upper back and shoulders. But for now I’m going to revel in the progress I’ve made and see where life takes me.
I’ve learned some stuff about the medical world during this long journey that has included three back surgeries. Almost immediately after my fusion my surgeon’s PA recommended that I purchase an Orthofix Spinal Fusion Therapy stimulator (STIM) that would significantly speed up bone healing. He said that it’s expensive so he only recommends it to his patients whose insurance would cover it, and mine would.
So I bought one, at a total cost of $4995. Thankfully my insurance paid for most of it – all I had to cough up was a little more than $300.
This is my STIM. It may look impressive but it isn’t much more than a complicated belt and strap system that holds the SpinalStim Device on my upper belly. The device generates a pulsed electromagnetic field aimed at the lumbar region of the back that is supposed to promote bone healing.
You’re instructed to wear the STIM for an absolute minimum of two hours every day until your doctor tells you that you’re “healed” (about 6 months?) but I found the STIM to be a torture device that would make Dr. Mengele proud. I was in pain to start with and the device made sitting and laying down absolutely impossible for any length of time and I couldn’t stand or walk for very long, device or no device. So after not much more than five hours of use I stopped wearing the damn thing and never wore it again. It just sits on a shelf, reminding me of all the money I wasted.
Stick with me. I’m getting somewhere with this.
A few weeks ago a Facebook friend (I’ll call her Sue) who was about to have back surgery similar to mine, posted a desperate plea on her timeline asking if there was anyone who might have a lumbar STIM device that they’re through using that they’d be willing to sell to her. Sue’s surgeon recommended that she get one but her insurance wouldn’t pay for it.
So I contacted Sue and offered to sell her my STIM for the $300 I’d personally paid for it. She was very excited because she knew it was a “long shot” to find a STIM through Facebook and mine was virtually brand new and almost unused. But it turns out that STIMs have a built in “self-destruct” mechanism that renders them inoperable after a given amount of time. So Sue decided against buying mine and I don’t blame her.
So anyone who needs a lumbar STIM device has to cough up the 5 grand, one way or another, for a brand new one, Orthofix gets their blood money and used STIMS go to waste – even if they’re essentially brand new.
I smell a skunk. There’s something rotten and it isn’t in Denmark.
Ron
A skunk would smell delightful compared to the BS from STIM. We’re definitely living in a corporatocracy. 🤬
Rant over (for now).
I’m so glad that you’re seeing improvement in your pain and your ability to do things, Ron! And as my mom (who had spinal arthritis — I’m hoping it will skip a generation) used to say, “Flexibilty is overrated.” ❤️
Marty, I’ll admit that I miss my former flexibility. But there are far worse things than to lose some of it.
All things considered, I am happy for you Ron. That’s a lot of hardware to onboard. Congratulations on reaching this place in ‘recovery”.
As you wrote, “But for now I’m going to revel in the progress I’ve made and see where life takes me.” That’s the ticket!
As for that device and the built in life serviceable span, there ought to be a law. It’s just plain criminal. Don’t understand how FDA could have cleared such a device with that limitation.
I don’t understand it either, Michael. I’m suspicious of some slippery, slimy things going on in the background politically with lobbyists, etc.
Ifixit (find the website) may enable restoring operation of your disabled device. Firm established by Cal Poly students frustrated by Apple impediments. Abundant hacks to rehabilitate many devices.
Fortunately my spine surgeon adamantly insisted that I walk five or more miles daily after my laminectomy and spinal fusion 12/2016. By 5/2017 I made that and he consented to limited driving. Our x-rays are similar, Ron. 10/17 is my 77th birthday.
Very grateful for you and beautiful images and fascinating information you share. Please continue!
Gary, there was no way I could walk 5 miles, before or anytime soon after my surgery. I don’t think I could do it now. My absolute limit was about 1/4 mile and that was pushing it. Even then, I paid for it for a couple of days after doing things like going to the grocery store.
On the other hand, my surgeon allowed me to drive just a few days after my surgery, as long as I wasn’t on pain meds of course.
I’ll check out Ifixit. Sounds like an interesting site.
Pain can be so debilitating that we will do anything to get relief. I’m so happy that yours was successful. Thank goodness for a good surgeon and your will to do all the hard work of recovering.
As for the “device” it needs to say “dispose after use”.
Thanks, Diana. Long-term, significant pain is a bugger.
I am thrilled that you are in much less pain, and are more mobile.
As one who is as supple as a brick I feel for you on that front, but it is still a decided improvement.
Hiss and spit about the STIM though. As if there wasn’t already bucket loads of money made in the medical appliance field.
EC, I still don’t have the muscle memory to remind me of my flexibility limitations. So I try to do some things and then I’m rudely reminded that things are different now. But as I said, that I can live with.
Happy to read such a good report! But enraged that so many aspects of the conglomeration of health care products and services are such boondoggles and rip-offs! I can’t believe that there isn’t a way for those devices (and others like them which must also be out there) to be returned to the manufacturer and retooled so that they work again. Ridiculous. Everyone in the health care industry is in it for profit and greed. Ugh.
Sue, the only option Orthofix gives you is to return the device to them for “recycling”.
Thanks for the update on your health. A very long journey but a positive that you can now enjoy the present. Discouraging & sad that the device has a “self-destruct” mechanism.
Thanks, Laurie.
WOW! Glad the surgery accomplished much of what was hoped for. Not so much on the rest of your back thinking it needs to give you hell now AND it REALLY SUCKS that the “appliance” is of such limited use before self destructing…… 🙁 I don’t suppose the box it came in has a “use by” date…. 😉
Judy, I think they’re deliberately vague about it. It’s hard to find a definitive answer online and no one, including my surgeon, his PA or the representative from Orthofix, told me about a self-destruct date.
I am happy that things are improving for you and you are able to do the things you love to do.
I hope someone can utilize your device. You are generous person.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Ron, I add my congratulations and best wishes. So glad you are doing well and that you are able to continue your interesting series aboutt birds and wildlife!!
Mary
Thanks, Mary.
Wow – what a bad ending to such a good story. Really a shame they built that into the product. I smell more than a skunk. But the good news is that you are recovery well and even thinking of hiking a little bit with your photo equipment. At 85 I am well aware that we all have physical problems from time to time, but knock on wood so far I have had no back problems.
“I smell more than a skunk.”
So do I, Everett.
Absolutely “smell a skunk”. That said, I’m THRILLED to read the
rest of your report ! You’ll probably never know how many people
with spinal challenges to whom you’ve given hope by relating the
story of your journey ( I’m one of them). A question–is that “self-
destruct” feature activated by the amount of time that it’s USED,
or is it linear time after it’s sold ? Anyway to find out ? Thanks for relating the whole truth of your ultimately successful year !
Kris, I haven’t been able to find an absolute answer to your question. I get the impression that they’re purposefully vague about it.
Sue’s doctor told her that “they will only work for 3 months. They will still charge and turn on, but not doing what they are supposed to do.”
You have come a long way and I am so happy for you. I hope someone takes advantage of your offer and likewise profits from it. Best wishes for continued good health and lots more photos
Thank you, Kenneth.