There is no way to pinpoint a certain cause for patients not fusing, but smoking is a huge risk for it not happening.

There are also many people on this site who continued to smoke but wore a bone growth stimulator that have not fused.

You have this one chance to fuse...you will not get a do-over. If you are wearing a bone growth stimulator, your doctor must think you are at risk of not fusing. Give yourself EVER opportunity to fuse. Through wearing your BGS, not smoking, good nutrition, appropriate exercise, you will have done everything in your control.

I am not a smoker, but I did like to drink coca-cola on occasion, which is known to be bad for osteoporosis. When I was 6 months postop fusion and saw NO fusion, I dropped them like a hot potato. Other than that I wore my BGS, eat organic foods and took supplements, walk 2 miles a day, and finally fused at 16 months. I have 5 degenerative levels that cause me a great deal of pain, but the fusion looks ok for now.

Never have I been so scared than the day I did not see any fusion. This is the most important thing in your life. Be good to yourself!!! There are some great people on this forum that will support you!!

Good luck,
SG

Now "ex-smoker" here...

My first fusion I smoked, no bone growth stim and I fused fast and good. A little over a year later my next level went and I underwent another ACDF. At 6 weeks a bit of clouding was showing in the x-ray - encouragement for fusion beginning.

Fast forward 4.5-5 months post op, most all of my symptoms came back. I was using a bone growth stimulator (Orthoflex), and as you can see by my signature line, my fusion failed into a pseudoarthrosis - false joint. Instead of just my two levels being fixed, the failure screwed almost my entire cervical spine and part of my thoracic! 5 levels next month. Not gonna be fun....

3 weeks ago, me and my friends "the ciggies" are no longer. They are toxic, I don't need them, and I really don't miss them! I just need to look at my x-rays to remind me. A dear friend on here told me of a book called: The easy way to stop Smoking, by Allen Carr Now she has never smoked but her son did, and it helped him, and I know it allowed me to become an "ex" pretty painlessly.

I smoked for over 30 years, grew up the child of smokers - so this is the FIRST time in my life on this planet to NOT be around any smoking! I feel better, my skin feels nicer, my leg and feet edema are pretty much gone, energy getting better, smell changing, actually lost 12 lbs!!! The key isn't the addiction to get through, but the mind set and what your brain is telling you. No harping, just something I discovered, and it worked [for me].

I guess for me, this many levels, "never ever smoked types" are even at risk - so I am going to give my body every chance to fuse and heal. Wishing you well on your path to fusion.

Brenda

Rascal,

When I was first put on a bone growth stimulator, I too looked for statistics. On Orthoflex's web site, the "only" statistics I could find where their study results - and sadly based on one level!!

Honestly I would guess the stimulator does give you more of a fighting chance than without...if smoking?

Brenda

So then haven't you answered your own question?

This is called a "cop out". It's the excuse every drug addict makes. It's not good enough. Many have quit before you and many more will after you. So it is doable.

What difference does it make. You'll be your own statistic. That should be enough. Want to be a success and statistically 0 chance. Quit the smoking and stop making excuses.

You're welcome. Bet you wished you hadn't put that statement in your post huh?

An ex-smoker. You can do it.

I read the book that helped Brenda and I started CHantix, now my quit day was only 3 days ago (today is day 3) but so far so good. I really don't think about smoking and if I do I don't need it, it is a want and how often do I tell my kids you don't need that you want it so your not getting it. Or I say nope not doing it been smoke free for two days not messing it up now. Today will be hard my mom is taking me to see my second opinion in Buffalo a hour away and she will be smoking the whole way ... Urrr But I will do it.. I am not gonna let someone else break me Wish me luck... I smoked for over 20 years never really wanted to quit, then when I discovered what was going on with my back and how much it effected my fusion I had no choice took til now to work up to it mind over matter , but it is happening You can do it believe me if I can do it anyone can do it..
Sheryl

I have been online for weeks reading all the informative and interesting info that this site provides. Many of my questions have been answered, and the forums have made me feel like I am not alone for the first time in three years. Although, I am still confused regarding the Exogen Bone Stimulator suggested by my surgeon. The more I read the more confused I have become. To keep this short, I would like to know if Exogen is the only stimulator to get or is there other reliable stimulators out there? I will be paying out of pocket for mine. Ebay seems to be an option, but with alot of caution and risk to the purchase. Any advise will be helpful and much appreciated as I need to purchase a stimulator within the next week for the benefits to work.

I recently underwent lumbar facet fusion on L4/L5 on Oct.6th, this was non-invasive (as they like to say)but still very painful recovery, very little sleep, and anxiety regarding if the fusion will happen. Prior to this procedure here is my history. A crazy list in such a short time. Yet all failed! This lead me, without choice, to my latest surgery.

Laser Discectomy on C4/C5 this worked! Laser Laminectomy L4/5,L5/S1 failed. Injections into lower back (I lost track of how many) they all failed. I only felt relief for two to three days. Lyase injections (imported from Germany) wasted of time and money, did not work. Nerve root injections, failed. Nerve root abalation/SI joint failed. Then, back to surgery with a Discectomy on my L4/L5, left me with nerve damage left leg, and complete failure for pain relief in lower back. Diagnosis after that was pain management for life, not an option for me that is why I recently had my latest surgery, which I call my "hail mary" last ditch effort to get my life back. Not to mention the three years of pain meds, all the different nerve pain meds that did not work and the unforseen damage they may be causing to my insides. Writing all my history with all the pain and frustration I endured makes me ill. I know everyone on this site is all to familiar with pain and frustration, again I know now I am not alone in this nightmare of a journey my life has taken.

I believe there are many manufacturers of bone growth stimulators. The one I use is Biomet. Some stimulators are worn for a short time per day and others suchas mine is worn 10 hours per day. Fortunately, mine was 100% covered by my insurance.
Why not ask your doctor what other ones he recommends and how you can reasonably get one?