Fusion...

...was not what I expected to hear yesterday. Went to see the Orthopedic Surgeons PS yesterday for the follow up on my CT guided epidural I had a couple weeks back. We talked about how I was feeling after having the injection. She studied my MRI some more. She explained to me, using the images how much nerve area is being compromised by the disc. We talked some about my hip pain, and the sciatic type of pain slowly returning (I had an SI joint injection about a year ago) and what effect fusing the 2 vertebrae would have on it. She studied the L5-S1 disc images...and said she thinks that one more diagnostic epidural is in order. Looks like hip pain MAY be related to the stenosis in the L5-S1 disc area. So....I am going for one more shot to see how it effects my hip/leg pain. Depending on the outcome I may end up getting L-4 to S-1 fused. She is not real sure that the L-5-S1 fusion is going to help much but....
So....who here has had their L-4 & L-5 fused? How much mobility in your lower back was lost? She told me that with how much mobility the pain I am in is costing me that I will not notice any real loss after the fusion. She told me that having the fusion done should keep me right about where I am , pain wise, compared to how I was prior to the shot. Told me that my recovery should be relatively quick...be in a brace for 23 hours a day to start out. Therapy will start shortly after surgery. She told me that generally recovery time is in the 3-4 month range.
So anyone who has wen thru this....your input will be greatly appreciated...