Post 2 yrs lumbar fusion L3- S1, have Si pain and now R hip and knee pain

Thank you for your response..    this is no fun for sure!   People look at you and say you look great and we are actually miserable.  Just to be pain free one day , please.  I am trying to get him iPad xray, pain management  booked up 6 weeks. 

I have 6 rods and screws and need to make sure everything in place. Worse at night.  STill have SI pain esp w activity.  2 yrs post op  but things get worse over time 

Did the nerve stimulator help at all? They have discussed that with me but I am very hesitant

I’ve had two spinal cord stimulators. My first one was a Medtronics with the buzzing feeling and my second one was the Nevro HF 10 with no buzzing. Neither one really targeted my pain. I had each one for probably a year. My current stimulator is called the Medtronics peripheral nerve stimulator which is just under my skin in my lumbar area. This has the same battery as the spinal cord ones implanted in my right hip. I guess it’s better than nothing because if I turn it off, my legs hurt worse than when it’s on. It really doesn’t do a whole lot for my back. I can turn it way up for better relief, but then I have to charge it twice as long the next day.

Hav2 rods and 6 screws, be nice to get xray

Hi Laura, I am 65 years old never had hip problems before or knee problems.

My hip pain started after my first knee was done, maybe I walk differently.

Did you have any bone packed around the fusion? I was fused L5/S1 years ago, and it was only a bone graft from my pelvis, but that started making new bone which has grown up my spine, more on one side than the other, so it pulls me out of alignment. But nothing can be done, it’s too risky. It’s awful being in constant pain isn’t it, and trying to have some kind of a life. I hope they can find something on X-ray, pain clinic wait is ridiculous when you don’t know what’s going on inside you.

My pain Mgmt Dr is now booked 6 was ahead  I love him but he has gotten so busy, hard to wait, then xray, then wait...

Meanwhile you know! Not much fun

I am now trying to get appt w a place called “ total body orthopedics, I may get better results quicker at this time. 

It it really nice talking to others w similar issues, who really understand. 

The surgery cured one aspect but other issues come from it. I would hate to know how many people in the world suffer from alike issues , so many back problems.

So you are permanently fuse from L what to L what?  including S1?

That’s crazy I hope I never have to go back in again I was really great post up but as time goes by things seem to get worse I would love to walk for exercise and cannot because of the SI joint pain with activity. Now the hip and the knee are bothering me doesn’t help. But why?

Chirpractor can fix the SI problem.  I have chronic SI problems.  Chiro gets me back to normal every time.

Thank you so very much for being on this forum and taking the time. You are awesome. I am also a retired nurse and get so frustrated with managing my own care  should I see a chiropractor to get my alighnment checked, leg lengths etc. my surgeon pretty much discharged me at 1 yr post op w Si pain and told me to get a nerve stimulator. I have tried very hard not to go that route, for now.  I was just for a message, also went to physical therapy last fall and she worked on my psoas  area, tight!!

I am afraid to have a chiropractor adjustment

What About scar tissue? Does that factor in or is that not that common?

No chiropractors, they are quacks in my opinion and usually out to bilk you for money with continuing appointments. I was thinking more a licensed deep tissue massage therapeutic type massage therapist, someone with a license on the wall. LOL this massage may not feel great, but it will re align you. Right now you have tight muscles and scar tissue pulling all out of whack along with you walking a certain way. A good therapist will need to be digging their fingers deep into your abdomen to release your psoas and other ligaments, that’s the sort of massage I am talking about.  But don’t do any chirp “adjustments”.  That therapist can measure your leg lengths and gauge her therapy by them.  Once you work on that your SI joints will be less twisted and so they will feel better.

You have your opinion, I have mine.  They have helped with misaligned hips, sciatica and locked SI joints for decades...especially during my 45 years of playing hockey.  To dismiss an entire medical specialty that has proven itself to be helpful to millions over the past century is both uninformed and irresponsible.  Yes, there are those that take your money and provide little benefit but every one I've seen over 40 years has fixed my issue either immediately or over the course of several weeks...and they ALL have licenses on their wall (gee...what stupid thing to say...)  The ones I have seen have always been dedicated, healing professionals who do a great job.  It would be better if you would keep your prejudices to yourself instead of spouting unsubstantiated gibberish.  Mic drop...

Thank you for your advisement, I will look into finding the correct one!! Much appreciated.

They weren’t saying a chiropractor without a license , they were talking about a message therapist being licensed,  not a feel good message. 

Sorry but the last chiropractor I went to 4-5 yrs ago was afraid to touch me, I could hardly stand. She was scared to death.

I meant the massage therapist be licensed!  Everyone knows chirps hand themselves licenses

Actually, I think that chiropractors could have a place in pain management if they would just stick to doing their adjustment of the back that is out as a cause of pain.  My problem with them is when they try to set you up on an ongoing schedule for your "overall health".  They then usually start making claims that they can cure the common cold and what not, all the while taking your money.  I have a daughter-in-law who takes her kid to one to help with the kid being a picky eater. Yea, explain how cracking her back is going to help that?

Their origins were also not exactly as a rigid medical specialty like surgery is, on a spectrum they are nearer snake oil than truly medical and there was quite a bit of argument over granting them licenses and the title of "Dr" back when licensing started.   Osteopaths then developed the same hands on healing techniques but with a true medical basis and they do have medical degrees.  In fact, a lot of PM docs are osteopaths, or DOs.  If I were to need my back cracked, I think I would go to one of my DO colleagues for it. As a pain management doc I had to do 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship, 3 years of residency and one year of a pain fellowship.  To be a chiropractor you don't need to graduate from college, you only need 3 years and 4 years of chiropractic school. Which takes me back to the beginning of my post, if they would stick to what they are trained for, given their relatively limited understanding of the back, they would be a helpful adjunct in the field of pain management. So, yes Chico, you are right and I was wrong to dismiss all of them. But, I have seen far too many who are out there to take folks money and since I know what limited training they have, I don't recommend them.  And I have tried a chiropractor, I got my neck cracked, then I got put in front of a 20 min video of why I needed to come weekly and when I told them I was still in agony at the check out desk, they just took my money and said they would see me same time next week. I went to Urgent Care and got actually treated by an MD.

I completely agree, there are bounbries in the medical process for a reason, other than over stepping and confronting Mal-practice.