More spine problems and questions

Fusion always poses the risk of putting added pressure on other parts of yr back . Speak to yr consultant about wallis ligament spinal surgery. This allows yr back to be flexible still and dosn put as much pressure on the rest of yr spine . Good luck

Simple answer is yes.  My L3 - S1 is all fused.  Suffering from severe stenosis.

The interesting news (just got back from my spine surgeon two hours ago), is that they have this technique now where instead of slicing your back open, the neuros use a General Surgeon to help them go in FROM THE SIDE.  Then they insert a special spacer in the gap causing your pain (mine's at L2/L3).  This new spacer has the ability to EXPAND!!!  So they place it in and then crank it so that it increases the spacing in the vertebrae thereby opening up all the compressed areas (in my case, the foramina) and relieving all the pain.  One hospital overnight; no rehab.  Otherwise, they'd remove all the previous hardware and fuse L2 through S1 with all new metal.  Three days in the hospital plus a lot of rehab work.

Works 80% of the time.  I'm in...

Hi abaybay2493, my name is Patricia and your problem perplexes me. By definition a Spondylolisthesis is a partial forward dislocation of one vertebra over the one below it, most commonly L5 over S1, which is my current problem. Spondylosis is a stiffening or fixation of a vertebral joint. And finally Spondylitis is an inflammation of any of the Spinal vertebrae with usual symptoms of stiffness and pain. Causes can be trauma to spine, infection or Rheumatic disease. Me? I am almost 69 and had a L4-L5 fusion 2 years ago. I recovered well after surgery and was back to the projected 80% of what I'd been used to with only an occasional ache in the lower back. Not quite 3 months ago I had to stand in line to vote the presidential election and the only thing I can say is this pain has been far worse than the stenosis, bone spurs(osteophytes) and herniated disc combined. Since the fusion, I have moved to another state, so I had no choice but to do my research and find a new neurosurgeon. The short of it is that I had the 1st round of 6 injections mid Jan and will go fo #2 next week. I was told that the steroids could take as much as 2 weeks to deliver any degree of relief. It was textbook with me. I'm able to walk w/o a limp at least.

So, read what I've said and decipher to fit yourself. Hope this helps. Good luck.