Sariera, welcome to the forum! I'm sorry that you are needing spine surgery.
You'll find a few people here with fusions. Most of us are trying to avoid fusions and are opting for motion preservation techniques, but there are many contra-indications to ADR that make it impossible of some of us to preserve motion.
I have a few questions for you.
Is the scoliosis mainly stemming from the malformed L5?
Is the neuro claudication thought to be related to the configuration around L5?
What is causing the neuropathic pain in your arms?
I have a client who (at 17 years old) had a fusion for a similar malformation with very good results. It was about an 11 or 12 hour surgery. (I left after 10.)
I can't post details here, but if you contact me (via GPN website linked below), perhaps we can compare cases and I may put you in touch with the patient or his family.
I hope you are dealing with a surgeon who has made a specialty of scoliosis surgeries. There is a huge talent and experience factor. These situations are very complex and a detailed understanding of the options, and experience trying, failing and succeeding with verious options is of utmost important.
All the best,
Mark
PS... I hope you don't mind, but I'm moving this post to the main forum where it will get more attention.
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