Question about a bone stimulator

[carolynms]

I just had a C5 to C7 fusion and vertebrectomy (through the front). I am doing fine, walking more than the program calls for and feeling better than I would have expected.
After my L5 S1 fusion, I could not do much for myself at all---this time I can even pull up my underware all by myself!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I have to use a bone stimulator 4 hours a day (was kinda surprised by that). Have any of you that have used them find that they cause pain in the bones? I seem to do pretty well untill I put the stimulator on, and then my back/neck really starts to hurt. I did not use one on the last fusion so really don't know what to expect. Thank you in advance for any advice you may have for me.
Carolyn

[Kathi49]

Hi Carolynms, I wore a bone growth stimulator for my cervical fusions two different times. I don't recall any pain in the bones. But since they hold you a certain way, I would imagine there could be. My difficulty with them was more in line with spasms. But I will say this much, they DO work! Oh, and yes, I had to wear my own for 4 hours a day for at least 6 months. The first time I was still working. So, I just would get to work early, put it on for the 4 hours and by lunch time I was done for the day. Hang in there and just know you can get through. :)

[Mark N]

Carolynms, I never had to use one but I do know a couple of people that have used them. I agree with Kathi that the pain seems to be more from being in one way for too long. The people that used it were smokers and they had success with fusion despite smoking. I hope you are fusing and won't have to use the bone growth for too much long but it is worth it based on the success others have had with it.

[Kathi49]

Mark, smoking isn't the only indicator. There are other factors, i.e., multi-level fusions, allograft bone, etc. Anyway, my brother in law had to wear a lumbar bone growth stimulator and he has never smoked in his life. I am pretty sure he had one level done but perhaps due to a donor bone and his age at the time is probably the reason he was prescribed one. I don't know for certain. I just remember that he wore one for about 6 months as well because he called me and asked about it. It was a few years ago but he is doing great and getting around just fine. Anyway, just know that there are other factors besides smoking.

[carolynms]

Thanks for the replies! I don't smoke, but had a multi-level fusion. I see the Dr tomorrow and will ask him. I didn't realize you had to wear them for so long! I have to wear mine 4 hours a day, but I thought I might be done after a few weeks--guess I have wishful thinking! I took my walk without it tonight and wore it at a different time, and my neck did not hurt like it did before. It may be the way I carry myself with it on, and may just have to use it when I sit still (hahaha). Again, thanks for the replies, I am feeling good, not like I just had major surgery. This is certainly easier (so far) than the lumbar fusion!

[Mark N]

Kathi, I know smoking is the only indicator as I was just using it as the worst thing for growing bone and the stimulator still worked for those people that smoke. Carolynms, you have a leg up on having a bone fusion especially with the bone stimulator. It is great you fell better than you did with the lumbar fusion as I know how that feels like. Unfortunately our healing takes more than a few weeks especially for our bones to grow. I am glad you found a way to use it and when not to use it to keep the pain down. Just keep up the healing and in a few months you will be feeling like a new person. I always felt that I had really healed after 18 months even though I returned to work much earlier. I found that I accepted a level of pain with going back to work but some time around 18 months I realized I wasn't in pain that I thought I had to put up with.

[Kathi49]

Mark, right! Glad to know you know there are more indicators. My NS told me he prescribes them for people who have a LOT going on regardless of whether they smoke or not. In other words, as I stated, multi level fusions, donor bones, diabetes is one too. Anyway, there is a long list of reasons.

Carolyn, I should have clarified. I was fused at 3 months both times. BUT, my NS wanted to see a more "solid" fusion before I was able to dispense with stimulator. So, yes, another 3 months. The first one I had was very uncomfortable and bulky. But the second one was designed more like a necklace which was so much better! :) All in all, I think they are well worth it. But you are right about holding yourself a certain way; they tend to make you do that.

[Mark N]

Kathi, one thing I like about this site is there are people that can bring up all the different aspects of treatments that we face. One of the big problems with spinal issues is we are all different and the way we respond to treatments is different. I know I have been fortunate to have a body that fuses without any trouble but being on this board makes me aware that other people have issues that make fusion difficult to achieve. It has been a while since I have seen a report on what factors lead to fusion problems. One thing that has been shown not to work very well are the cages that doctors used in the past as they seemed to hinder fusion.

Carolynm, keep on healing and do what you can to keep the pain down. One day it will dawn on you that you don't hurt any more and can go back to some of your old activities.

[Kathi49]

Carolyn, here is the one I wore the last time. The whole purpose is for patients at high risk for whatever the reason. Other sites lists the indications as well. Mark, I don't know about cages so I can't speak to them. I realize people respond differently. I was answering Carolyn's question because I have worn a stimulator twice and do have a lot of experience with them.

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[houghchrst]

my mother was given one to wear after her rods were put in and a bone graft was done and she only wore hers for the first couple of days because it was so uncomfortable. She wound up walking hunched over all the time and had constant debilitating pain. Course we didn't know at the time that she had cirrosis of the liver which caused her abdomen to swell miserably and that was why she was in so much pain when she wore it.

I hope your pain continues to abate. Hang in there.