Spinal surgery - pedicle screw fixation
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone!
I had surgery following an L1 burst fracture in January. I had pedicle screws and rods placed in T22, L1 and L2.
Basically, I got a really bad surgeon who won't see me for a checkup and won't answer my questions even after me demanding to see him and emailing him my questions twice, and speaking to his secretary.
Better get to the point haha, basically I really want to know if this surgery was fusion surgery or just to stabilise my spine.
The way the doctors in the hospital put it across was that the metal was just being put in to hold the back in place until it is healed, they never mentioned fusion. They then said that in a year / year and a half they could take it out again because I am young (19).
So I can't get answers from the hospital and it doesn't say on my medical records, how else can I find out if it is fusion or not?
My accident happened on January 30th and my surgery was on February 1st. If it was fusion, could I have either an X-ray or CT scan at a different hospital that would show if the surgery was fusion or not? Or if I spoke to another surgeon / doctor would they be able to do some form of test to find out if it was or not? My GP does not know as it isn't explained on my medical records.
Any help at all would be very much appreciated, thank you for reading such an unnecessarily long post! Lol
0 likes, 8 replies
james57451
Posted
carol78519 james57451
Posted
I think you should see another doctor - orthopedic or neurosurgeon. Can you ask your GP for a recommendation? They should be able to do an x-ray to be able to tell. And perhaps they can contact the hospital to get your records. The hospital may be more responsive to a doctor then to a patient. It shouldn't be that way, but sometimes it is.
The other doctor sounds like a nightmare. It sounds like you've had an awful time and I wish you much luck in the future.
james57451 carol78519
Posted
Hiya Carol, I have been referred to another hospital to see a specialist but my GP said this could take months and I just can't wait not knowing haha.
You think they would be able to tell by an X-ray? That's good then anyway.
My GP requested my records 3 times over 3 months and they didn't respond to her each time! Lol, the only way I managed to get them was by going to the hospital and demanding them, but they really don't say anything about the surgery, more just the scans you know.
Aw it has been a nightmare to say the least hahah. It's just my luck for something like this to happen lol. Thanks so much it means a lot! Take care
CHICO_MARX james57451
Posted
I'm not a doc...but...
Most likely, this is to stabilize the spine. You cannot "fuse" T12 to L1 because it is a "transitional" part of your spine...thoracic to lumbar. T11 and T12 do not attach to the sternum in the front so it's not a truly stable area for fusion.
I just had an LLIF fusion of L2/L3 and my doc warned me, very sternly, about bending over and blowing out L1/L2. Told me that if I did that, he'd have to completely fuse me T9 through L2. I don't want that so I have to be very careful...lots of squatting instead of bending.
Sound to me like this is temporary so you can heal. I'd see another neuro....
james57451 CHICO_MARX
Posted
You may not be a doctor, but you definitely know what you're talking about haha! Thanks so much, that's been a massive peace of mind for me.
I'm also so glad you mentioned about the bending!! I was at a Pilates class tonight, my first time and it was an advanced class and I had to try and touch my toes 5 times and it was so sore on my back I really shouldn't have done it. I'll know for the future to definitely not bend anyway because I don't want something like that happening haha.
I'll get on the ball for that as soon as possible and get an opinion elsewhere. It's just my luck to end up with a surgeon like him haha.
Thanks very much!!
CHICO_MARX james57451
Posted
I would not do a lot of (or ANY) bending until your back heals. When golfers get a back fusion, they are forbidden to swing a club for 6 months and then slowly get back into the game over the next six. You do NOT want to screw with your spine...it can have long term effects down the road. Take it easy for now...make it up later. NO BENDING!!!
I played hockey for 45 years. Now, at 69, I have a new hip, a new knee and three spine fusions. Neuro said my T3 through S1 looked like a "junkyard" (his word) but I would NEVER take back one second of ice or roller time. Greatest game on the planet and goalie was the absolute best position!!! I'll never play again but I do hope to do some light skating as soon as I rehab the metal knee and simultaneous L2/L3 fusion. Slow and easy...but I miss the old days. Would still be playing if my body hadn't abandoned me...
CHICO_MARX
Posted
Oops... L3 through S1...
Here's the recent L2/L3 LATERAL (LLIF) fusion...you can see it's above part of my old L3 - S1 TLIF with the rails, screws and spacers.
james57451 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Very true, it makes sense not to I mean. Sometimes squatting too much can get sore on the knees but I've heard trying a "golfers lunge" if squatting gets sore, as it's still easy on the back u know.
That's the best attitude to have! Don't regret all the fun you had in those many years for the sake of living with a few complications now. Granted, a hip and knee replacement and 3 spinal fusions is quite a lot but you'll be doing everything you want/need to do if you take it easy and keep at physio I'm sure.
Oh I've never seems fusion like that before! Very complex looking, why are the screws to the side of your vertebrae?