Bone density/fusion healing

[Karen Ocker]

Fortunately my fusion healed well. Because of my age and the fact hardware failures are tied in with fusion/bone failure I monitor my bone density carefully.

I consulted an osteoporosis center with a specialist in bone metabolism. She stressed the fact that--in addition to enough calcium-- we must take enough Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) for the bone to absorb calcium. She also mentioned that a lot of people, because of sun blocker, do not get enough Vit D since the body needs sun to synthesize it's own Vit D. She recommended taking 800 units a day which requires a vit D supplement. The maximum safe dose is 2,000units.

Other things which affect bone density are: smoking, alcohol use and in the year after surgery NSAIDS: ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac etc.

Some medications INTERFERE with the absorption of Vit D like some antiseizure medications and should not be taken at the same sitting. The pharmacist is the best help in this area.

[sweetness514]

I wish the orthos would prescribe calcium with added Vit.D when we have surgery, if it can help; and also tell us to take it for the rest of our lives.

My mom who has osteoporosis takes one type of calcium with vit.D and I started taking it also, so at my doc's appointment this week, I will ask what he thinks.

So far I'm seven weeks post op for revision surgery of a broken rod and fusion, and I'm finally feeling better, an getting used to these new bigger screws. Hopefully the fusion is healing well this time.

[shelley]

Karen, you raise a very important point. I would add that all women with fusions and instrumentation should carefully monitor their bone density, especially as they approach menopause. The bone density scan (Dexascan) is a painless test that takes about 20 minutes. Even if your fusion has healed properly, osteoporosis and scoliosis don't mix. My gynecologist has suggested the items mentioned by Karen as well as an exercise program to combat osteoporosis. If this is not enough, drugs such as Actonel or Fossamax are available.
Shelley

[sweetness514]

So I went to my eight weeks post op appointment, and asked many questions.

I had revision surgery for a broken rod and fusion(non union area), Dec.15th. They took out the old rod, put in a new one, removed all the hooks and screws from THAT side and put bigger ones to fill in the gaps from the old ones(that's the only way the new ones will hold), and they also added BMP with some of my fusion bed for new fusion. So far they tell me that it looks all right in my X rays but like they had told me before surgery, only time will tell if it heals and no scans can detect if the fusion healed, with a 100% response anyway.

I asked about the calcium with vit.D, and was told that it can't hurt but when one is relatively young(I'm 35), it has nothing much to do with the bone graft healing, unless I REALLY would be underweight and/or have a poor diet. Either the ortho didn't put enough bone graft the first time I got operated on in '97 or it's just that one area didn't fuse, even if they took bone from my hip wich is suppoed to be the best place.

As far as recovery time, I'm bettter now, the first month and a half were really painful as far as hardware pains and healing. The orthos all told me to be safe and take it extra easy the first three months, no driving or heavy housework, and JUST walking as far as exercises. I wanted to do weights or go swimming(wich I love to do), but was told that it's too soon and the walking helps the fusion heal because of the "bouncing" effect it has on the spine. I wanted to share some of my experience as well as what to do and not to do after surgery since I read a lot of conflicting experiences with some going back to work really soon after surgery and also driving. Of course that is personal to every person and doctor, but according to all the orthos I've seen the first three months are crucial to heal the fusion and are best to be taken easy.