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Back again!

Posted , 4 users are following.

Devilwearspaula
Devilwearspaula

So it's been a while since i have been on here. But i am back and with more back pain.... New shooting pain down both legs, down both arms, nerves are going haywire.. etc. i was at the hospital last Friday because i couldn't breathe. They did a catscan and it showed new chronic changes and spinal stenosis now in my middle back. So now  I'm waiting to see my PC Monday to hopefully get an MRI done.. but here we go with the run around! 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Devilwearspaula

    Posted

    If you truly have spinal foraminal stenosis, you need to see a neurosurgeon who should do a CT/Myelogram with contrast...the gold standard spine test.  MRIs are sometimes inconclusive.  And if that diagnosis is confirmed...AND...it's a one-level lumbar problem, then you may want to ask the doc (or find a neuro) who has experience with the LLIF procedure. 

    This is the Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion technique where they go in from your side, drill out the disk and insert a device that acts like a car jack.  Then they use an actual Allen wrench to expand the device thereby separating the two vertebrae, opening the foraminal canals and relieving the pressure on the nerves running through them.  Finally, they backfill the device with a tiny bone graft from your hip and close.

    The beauty of this procedure is that it: 1. IMMEDIATELY solves the pain issue...all gone instantly; 2. one night hospital stay; 3. no rehab; 4. no brace.  It's like it never happened!!!  This is soooo different from a standard TLIF (from the back) with the rails and screws.  I've had both.  The TLIF was 12 days in the hospital, 4 months of rehab and 6 months in a brace.  I would avoid that if possible.

    Go to YouTube and search for "Globus LLIF" to see an animation of the procedure and "Globus Calibur" to see the device.  The attached pics are pre-op lateral, post-op posterior and post-op lateral.  HUGE difference.  PS: You can see the top of my TLIF fusion below the device.

    However...if you have the stenosis in the thoracic or cervical spinal regions, I am not familiar with any LLIF-like procedure that has been applied to those areas of the spine.  You'd have to do some research on that...or call Globus.  If you do qualify, make sure you find a neurosurgeon who's done a ton of these.  Experience counts.

    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      oh wow, thank you so so so much for this! i really appreciate it! I will keep you updated when i hear from a doctor... :D
  • allaroundanne
    allaroundanne Devilwearspaula

    Posted

    You said you are back and you have new changes, what were your old findings, if I may ask?

    Lynn

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