Corrective lumbar fusion surgery
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi guys I'm back again, so I had a l4/5 fusion 14 years ago and have had trouble ever since, been told there's nothing they can do it's wear and tear, I'm not buying it really, Iv had a few people look at my scans and said there's nothing serious enough that could explain the amount of pain I'm in, I am in constant 9/10 pain, can't walk 5yards, stand or sit, the only relief I get is lying down.
It's been mentioned to me about having corrective surgery? Where do I start looking for someone competent enough to do this as my neuro dosnt want to touch me, he wanted to refer me back to my original surgeon but after I explained I already was referred back 7 years ago and he refused he didn't know what to say next, also my original lumbar fusion caused a thoracic arachnoid cyst with compressionof spinal cord and will paralyse me if removed
0 likes, 5 replies
Laura3333 Carolineq8
Posted
Hate to say it Caroline, but don't think they will touch you once you've had a failed fusion. Was it a bony one or did they put metal in? I was fused L5-S1 years ago with bone grafts from my hip, and the fusion made new bone that carried on growing and has pulled my spine to one side. Also put stress on other levels.
Like you, only have relief lying down. Now have arthritis on three levels and have been trying anything I could for thirty years now to get help. Nothing has helped, neuro sent me back to pain clinic,loads of injections spinal stim trial, tens, drugs, anything and everything. I'm still back where I started, and as you probably know all these cause more pain.
I have had to come to terms with the fact that I am never going to be any better, and live my life centred around lying down to recover every time I do anything.
It's not much of a life and the pain never goes, but with acceptance comes some kind of peace. I have to accept it because I have no choice, it was driving me mad trying to find a non existent cure
I hope you have more luck.
Carolineq8 Laura3333
Posted
Oh Laura it feels like I have just read my own post, I'm so sorry your suffering to.
I had titanium rods and plates with artificial bone and mesh.
I have to be thankful that the injection I get do give me some relief but it's only lower back as my thoracic and neck is also constant with muscle spasms daily, degeneration, pressure, burning...
I think I have turned a corner and realised yes my life is different now and I need to live it the best way I can.
I hope your having a good day today and thank you for your reply 😊
nancy43771 Carolineq8
Posted
My step son has had 7 major back surgeries. The first fusion lasted 10 years. Then a boat accident and the ones next to it needed to also be fused. On Opiads. Now scheduling a SCS NEVRO trial through his HMO. My back pain specialist's patients are having 95% success with NEVRO. Hoping it works for him. He knows he will always have pain issues but the chance to get his pain levels down along with his meds is promising.
He told me that "Failed back Surgery" does not necessarily mean the actual surgery failed. It can mean that other back issues pop up that are not fixable by more surgery.
I have spoken to several people who have had amazing pain relief with PRP spinal injections - that would be for nerve issues - not orthopedic structural ones. Seems like a SCS device like NEVRO might help deal with pain of the cyst??
Carolineq8 nancy43771
Posted
My heart goes out to your son in law, that's quite an ordeal he's been through and I hope he gets some relief with the stimulator.
The cyst needs to be monitored every year incase it grows or changes so the scs is not an option.
I'm having EP tests done as we speak so hopefully this will help, I have left leg numbness and lower back instability but I'm worried that my doc said there's no change in the lumbar scan so if this is coming from the cyst then it's not good. Thank you 😊
nancy43771 Carolineq8
Posted
Sure hope the EP tests help. Not familiar with them. Best wishes to both you and Laura.