Donna — Reston, VA
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A few years ago, I had an auto accident and immediately started having severe pain. The rescue squad took me to the hospital and, since then, I have been treated with physical therapy, home therapy - everything you can think of. But the pain continued. After several years, I couldn't deal with the pain anymore.
When my pain first started, I went to my family physician who referred me to a specialist, Dr. Thomas Schuler. Dr. Schuler suggested that I try non-operative physical therapy, routine visits and check-ups, different anti-inflammatory medications, etcetera. All of these treatments would work for a while, but then I would be back to a lot of debilitating pain, which led to hospitalization. This went on for a few years.
At the point where I was totally debilitated, I couldn't even walk. My husband would physically carry me to the bathroom, put me in the shower, get me out of the shower, and dress me. I stayed in the bed, and if I needed to get up, someone had to lift me out of the bed and carry me.
My decision to have surgery was a result of one of these debilitating episodes. One day I went to step into my kitchen and fell to my knees. I had to crawl to my bed because I was home alone. When my husband came home, he helped me get undressed and in comfortable clothes. I called my specialist and we treated my pain at home for a day with anti-inflammatories and pain medication because that's what I chose to do. None of it seemed to work, so by the second day, I went to the emergency room. That's when I decided to do the surgery.
I went into the hospital about three in the afternoon and started the anti-inflammatories and steroids to get the swelling down in the spinal column itself. I had to do that for two days, and then had the surgery. Dr. Schuler explained the surgery to me. He said that he would go in through the front and remove the deteriorating or ruptured disc [Click here to learn more about this procedure, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)]. He would then insert two cages with bone graft inside of them.
I was a candidate to get the INFUSE® Bone Graft with the LT-CAGE® Device instead of having a graft taken from my hip. I was concerned about having pain in my hip from the incision to get the bone graft if I didn't get the INFUSE® Bone Graft with the LT-CAGE® Device. I did not want any more pain.
The staff at the hospital was very friendly and knowledgeable, and explained everything to me as to what happened before my surgery, during my surgery, and what to expect after surgery. Basically, I went into surgery and when I woke up, I was in my room. I didn't remember being transferred from the OR to my room or anything just waking up late in the evening.
I left the hospital and went home with my husband and made sure I didn't lay too long or sit too long, that I kept mobile and moving. I was very careful about how I would bend and lift until I went back for my follow-up visit. Two days later, I walked the first mile around my neighborhood, which felt really good. I don't know if I would have been able to do that if I had had the graft taken from my hip.
I started physical therapy the second week after my surgery. My physical therapy consisted of aquatic therapy, which is working out in the pool with the physical therapist. After four weeks of the aquatic therapy, I went into strengthening and building muscle and working out with weights and different exercises to strengthen the back and the stomach muscles to keep your back healthy and strong.
Now, I exercise at home every day for 20 minutes and I walk three miles a day. I feel great; there's nothing I feel that I can't or won't do, as long as I do it wisely; I don't do anything to strain my back or exert my back. I'm careful and very conscious about how I lift, move, and do certain things. I feel great. I live life to its fullest, and I have fun.
It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of the INFUSE® Bone Graft/LT-CAGE® Lumbar Tapered Fusion Device with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
After reading this please keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary. Complications, such as infection, blood loss, or nerve damage are some of the potential adverse risks of spinal surgery. Please consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical results, and other important medical information.
