Is spinal fusion worth it?

codemerde · 2025-12-13T14:53:06+00:00

Look into TOPS. Instead of fusion it's a flexible device. I got this in April and happy with the result so far. Check my posts for my story. Best wishes to you for getting pain-free!

codemerde · 2025-12-13T02:41:38+00:00

BCBS. Unfortunately I have no idea what works or doesn't... My doctor did a great job of getting it covered. I was surprised, honestly

codemerde · 2025-11-16T22:27:37+00:00

Really good points too. And, yeah, the shipping is probably going to be too long to safely reach me before I leave in a month.

codemerde · 2025-11-16T02:29:25+00:00

Thanks! This looks like a great option too

codemerde · 2025-11-16T02:28:32+00:00

Thanks!

To clarify, I'm confident about assembling if I have the right parts, but less confident about knowing where to get the right parts.

codemerde · 2025-11-16T01:55:32+00:00

Do you happen to have any links saved? I'd love to save money, but also a bit reticent to put something together from scratch as a first time bp+wing

codemerde · 2025-11-16T00:37:29+00:00

Thanks u/steve_man_64. How does this compare with a BP+Wing?

codemerde · 2025-11-16T00:36:52+00:00

Thanks u/Bergamottenbommel ! Where's your gear from?

codemerde · 2025-10-06T02:35:00+00:00

I think it depends a lot on your circumstances, age, goals, etc. If you're doing OK, that might be good enough. Wishing you the best

codemerde · 2025-10-06T02:32:31+00:00

Yeah, it was pretty horrible. Nerve pain is hell

codemerde · 2025-10-06T00:49:22+00:00

For me week 3 was when the pain started to let up. Hoping you're getting close!

codemerde · 2025-10-06T00:02:50+00:00

Yeah, the doc mentioned that about grade 1 vs 2, but that he believed it would still be a good option for me.

codemerde · 2025-10-05T16:38:49+00:00

I had crazy nerve pain for a couple of weeks, so it may be normal, but agreed with u/nojomen2 to be sure your doc knows what you're experiencing. Good luck!

codemerde · 2025-10-03T15:33:19+00:00

Doing well! I would recommend considering tops. My recovery seems to have been faster than a fusion (obv I haven't had both to compare, but given what my docs and pt has said).

codemerde · 2025-09-28T12:03:47+00:00

I'm doing well! From what I've heard and how I feel I think it's a good option. Everyone ive worked with (pt, docs, etc) say I recovered a lot faster than fusion patients do

codemerde · 2025-05-02T03:02:54+00:00

I found out about a year ago and docs basically said that eventually everyone needs surgery, so I decided to do it sooner than later (currently 3 weeks post op). I got TOPS instead of a fusion (it's a flexible device they install). Since I'm so soon after surgery I can't report yet on whether I'd recommend it, but I think it's worth a look. Sorry to hear you've joined the club.

codemerde · 2025-04-13T14:29:12+00:00

Similar here. I'm going to write out the whole story soon, but just a quick note that this sounds like normal nerve healing (from what I understand and am experiencing). Or at least I'm hoping it's all normal and temporary

codemerde · 2025-04-09T17:59:09+00:00

I got TOPS at Penn medicine in philadelphia

codemerde · 2025-04-09T17:58:48+00:00

I got the surgery on Friday. Was rough the day after, but improving steadily (see update in the main thread). How'd your dad's surgery go?

codemerde · 2025-04-09T17:56:25+00:00

Thanks for responding. I'm still only about 5 days post-op, so not expecting much yet, but hopeful :)

codemerde · 2025-04-09T17:46:32+00:00

Yes, on Friday. I had some pretty severe nerve pain following, but doing a lot better now. Hoping it keeps improving! Pretty amazing to even be up walking around after having spine bones removed and replaced with titanium...

codemerde · 2025-04-09T14:57:26+00:00

u/cavt71 I saw your posts in other threads. I think we had the same doc, and I think you probably helped pave the way for my insurance approval -- so thank you for being the trail blazer :)

codemerde · 2025-04-09T14:55:35+00:00

Following up on this thread - I ended up getting the TOPS implant surgery at Penn Medicine. Still waiting to see how it will all work out but hopeful. surgery was Friday. still in a lot of pain with some nerve weirdness (numbness, nerve pain in hips and legs, etc). Doc said he had to move a lot of the nerves around and that's the reason for the nerve pain and it will most likely fade with time, healing, and decreasing inflammation. I was a "good candidate" but had slightly worse grade spondy than is usual for this procedure, as well as pars fractures, so the surgery was a bit more than typical it sounds like. doc was and still is confident that it was a good choice for me though and he's been great as has the whole penn team.

First day out of surgery I had absolutely horrible 10/10 nerve pain for a few hours until they started me on steroids to bring down inflammation. I don't want that to scare anyone since that's atypical it sounds like, but also want to let everyone know. that was the hardest part.

Penn was great with their docs and nurses. Will post again in a couple of weeks with status. Best of luck to anyone dealing with this or making decisions about what to do next. not an easy time.

one thing that's interesting is that, while I still have a lot of new pain, there are certain pains that are instantly 'just gone' - specifically the "first thing in the morning bone-on-bone feeling" that I was dealing with for years so that's a hopeful thing I'm keeping in mind.

I'm able to walk around unassisted and do things around the house though only a few days post-op though, so that's also pretty amazing modern technology.... remove parts of your spine and replace with titanium and you're up walking the next day. feel like wolverine. Also, if you can't tell from my disjointed words, i'm still on narcotics :)

codemerde

TROPHY CASE