I had a two level ALIF and a single level total disc replacement. L4/5 L5/S1 had the ALIF and L3/4 got the total disc replacement. BMP was used in the fusion to ensure a solid union was formed. A lot of days I am 100 percent pain free, but I do have some days where I am not. Overall a pretty good result six years out
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I would definitely recommend ALIF over ADR at L5-S1 given it's more of a loading disc. I'm sorry but 4-6 weeks recovery time isn't accurate. Working with a lot of patients I can now confidently say. There's a minor population who can be pain free and functional within 3 months ie 12 weeks but there are A LOT of that can easily take up to the year to fully recover from ANY spinal surgery. I feel this 4-6-8 weeks recovery time a marketing pitch.
Hey Doctor! I know an ALIF only gets about 90 percent of the disc because of the frontal approach. What happens to that remaining bit of disc? Can't it still be compressed on the nerve? Will it eventually erode/absorb?
I had ALIF done 3 months ago. The surgery went well (except one of the three screws for the plate was missing from the operating room, the hospital had to get a screw from a nearby hospital, a 2hr surgery turned into 4hrs) I was up and walking right after I got to my room, had a light dinner of hummus and pita bread later that evening. They released me the next day in the afternoon after having an enema to get my digestive system going again. I was almost pain free for the first 5 weeks, then the pain began to really set in. Now, 12 weeks out the pain is beginning to subside, I’m finally able to remove my body vest and start physical therapy. I hope to get back to feeling “normal” soon, although I know it’s still going to take time for the fusion to fully heal.
How do you feel now? Hoping still good results! All the best from Maryland where we have a friend soon to go through this, likely also anterior. So thanks for sharing.
@@Shanopla Hi, I’m doing ok, still in recovery. There are days/weeks where I feel great then suddenly I’m in a lot of pain. That generally happens when I do too much bending over. It’s difficult not to, especially in the summer (here in Michigan) when I’m maintaining our house and property. The ALIF surgery is pretty intense, having my organs shifted around and my spine opened up has taken a long time to recover from. In fact, my neurosurgeon said that it takes about a year to fully recover, sometimes longer. I went back to work 4 months post op and realized shortly after that I could no longer perform my job as a steel worker. At 45 yrs old and having done a pretty good toll on my body for the last 30yrs I’ve decided to retire(temporarily). One piece of advice I would strongly encourage for your friend is to go to physical therapy as much and as often as possible. In the beginning it may seem like a waste of time but it will dramatically improve mobility and healing.
@@tomstirdivant37 Wow, I am so sorry that after so many months the challenges continue, and also the inability to work in your field (such an important one!) even if temporarily. I spoke to my friend and he appreciates so much your time in replying and will follow your advice - it makes sense to maximize on the front end not wait. We have taken it to heart. Will keep you in prayer and that sooner than expected you see a great improvement. Best, Shane and Fred
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 82 วันนี้!! คู่เอก | ยอดไอคิว vs อับดัลลาห์](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hSsyTl_9bqs/mqdefault.jpg)
I had a two level ALIF and a single level total disc replacement. L4/5 L5/S1 had the ALIF and L3/4 got the total disc replacement. BMP was used in the fusion to ensure a solid union was formed. A lot of days I am 100 percent pain free, but I do have some days where I am not. Overall a pretty good result six years out
That's great to hear, glad you are doing well.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I would definitely recommend ALIF over ADR at L5-S1 given it's more of a loading disc.
I'm sorry but 4-6 weeks recovery time isn't accurate. Working with a lot of patients I can now confidently say. There's a minor population who can be pain free and functional within 3 months ie 12 weeks but there are A LOT of that can easily take up to the year to fully recover from ANY spinal surgery.
I feel this 4-6-8 weeks recovery time a marketing pitch.
Hey Doctor! I know an ALIF only gets about 90 percent of the disc because of the frontal approach. What happens to that remaining bit of disc? Can't it still be compressed on the nerve? Will it eventually erode/absorb?
I had ALIF done 3 months ago. The surgery went well (except one of the three screws for the plate was missing from the operating room, the hospital had to get a screw from a nearby hospital, a 2hr surgery turned into 4hrs)
I was up and walking right after I got to my room, had a light dinner of hummus and pita bread later that evening. They released me the next day in the afternoon after having an enema to get my digestive system going again.
I was almost pain free for the first 5 weeks, then the pain began to really set in. Now, 12 weeks out the pain is beginning to subside, I’m finally able to remove my body vest and start physical therapy. I hope to get back to feeling “normal” soon, although I know it’s still going to take time for the fusion to fully heal.
BTW the hospital had a backup plan if they ruptured one of the arteries. All the blood would have been recovered/filtered and replaced.
How do you feel now? Hoping still good results!
All the best from Maryland where we have a friend soon to go through this, likely also anterior. So thanks for sharing.
@@Shanopla Hi,
I’m doing ok, still in recovery. There are days/weeks where I feel great then suddenly I’m in a lot of pain. That generally happens when I do too much bending over. It’s difficult not to, especially in the summer (here in Michigan) when I’m maintaining our house and property.
The ALIF surgery is pretty intense, having my organs shifted around and my spine opened up has taken a long time to recover from. In fact, my neurosurgeon said that it takes about a year to fully recover, sometimes longer.
I went back to work 4 months post op and realized shortly after that I could no longer perform my job as a steel worker. At 45 yrs old and having done a pretty good toll on my body for the last 30yrs I’ve decided to retire(temporarily).
One piece of advice I would strongly encourage for your friend is to go to physical therapy as much and as often as possible. In the beginning it may seem like a waste of time but it will dramatically improve mobility and healing.
@@tomstirdivant37 Wow, I am so sorry that after so many months the challenges continue, and also the inability to work in your field (such an important one!) even if temporarily. I spoke to my friend and he appreciates so much your time in replying and will follow your advice - it makes sense to maximize on the front end not wait. We have taken it to heart. Will keep you in prayer and that sooner than expected you see a great improvement. Best, Shane and Fred
@@Shanopla .
Dude thank you so much! I can’t wait to get this surgery, I’ve been blown up and set on fire before this pain is going to be nothing in comparison LOL
hey mate did you end up getting it done?
@@varuninnz I get it done September 13. Scared to death it’s gonna make me worse. But most of what I read is that it helps tremendously
@@FromTheHood2TheWoods Are you getting PEEK cage or metal cage?
@@varuninnz I don’t know they didn’t tell me anything? I guess I need to ask, thank you
@@FromTheHood2TheWoods I would highly recommend you to get a PEEK cage because you'll be able to get MRI after. Metal cages cause scattering.
My spinal surgeon said another risk of sexual disfuncion after ALIF due to possible nerve demage
Yes if the Dr decides to just cut through the nerves instead of carefully dissect them, goodbye erection