My Lumbar Log
Brian's 2020 PLIF Spinal Fusion Surgery
#mylumbarlog
Twenty two years after my last spinal fusion the time has come for a final repair of my lower back.
All episodes of My Lumbar Log are streaming on YouTube.
Below you will find blog posts for most of the videos posted on the YouTube vlog. In the days surrounding the surgery be sure to check the Love the Float Facebook page for immediate updates that may be posted by family members while I am recovering.
Screen capture from episode one of My Lumbar Log describing the surgery.
My surgeon is Dr. J. Rafe Sales and I can’t recommend him highly enough! He is exceptionally knowledgeable, favors minimally invasive and conservative treatments, utilizes the most advanced technology. Beyond all of that he and his team put the patient first with compassionate and caring communication, education, and consideration of the whole person. I am extremely fortunate to have him shepherding this next step of my journey.
My surgery has it’s own complexities based on my history and previous fusions. At it’s core though, it is a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF). In my case we’ll be fusing L5 to S1 extending my existing fusions from L1 through L5. There will be rods used in my case, and they will likely do some other work to insure that the nerves have an unobstructed path. Here are a few resources that explain the surgery in general terms with easy to digest videos:
Dr. Sale’s website has the best explanation, I can’t link directly to the video so after reaching his patient education site chose Surgical Care and Management then Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
This video is more generic but is easier to get to and offers good information.
Spine Health also has a short article that describes the procedure in more detail than the videos.
Take a look around the Love the Float website if you’d like to learn more about how floating has been a game changer for how I live with my back issues.
This page will evolve with my progress through the surgery and recovery.
Brian's Spinal Fusion '20 posts (in reverse chronological order)
I am a bit self conscious about my broken front tooth. I’ve found one of the most comfortable positions is laying fully flat with my knees on a bolster. I’ve rigged a couple of ways to have my iPad overhead in that circumstance. When I was experimenting with that early on it dropped and broke my tooth. I’ll have to wait until I’m more mobile to get it repaired. I now have a much more secure way of using my iPad while laying flat!
Thank You to:
Spinal Bone Vectors in Title:
Float Conference 2021 is upon us and it brings front and center how much change I’ve experienced since last year’s conference! A major skeletal failure followed by surgical reconstruction and changing jobs after 25+ years were the mileposts. One thing that I am very sure of, floating has continued to be a cornerstone of my life’s journey.