Spondylolisthesis
Posted , 2 users are following.
I was diagnosed with spondylolysis (bilateral) at the age of 16. I followed the instructions I was given at the time: avoid impact sports, build core strength and keep your weight down. I am now 27 and have recently found out that I have grade 1 spondylolisthesis (L5). The neurosurgeon told me that the disc below is bulging and this is the main cause of my pain.
Not only am I terrified, I am in significant pain every day.
Firstly, my parents have a history of spondylolysis with one of them experiencing grade 1 spondylolisthesis. I am slightly confused because my mother's spondy was more severe than mine (required a decompression) but is still just grade 1. She was told she would be in a wheelchair within 12 months without the op. I would be grateful if someone could explain this to me - her understanding is that it was beginning to affect the nerves in her legs. I thought this was only possible for grade 2 or more. The neurosurgeon said that my problem is unlikely to worsen as it has only just started to cause me trouble at the ten year mark (my mother only discovered her complaint at the age of 40 but I understand that it is congenital and she has probably had the spine defect from birth - she is now 52). I am frightened because I have seen what the disorder has done to her in terms of her quality of life.
Secondly, he said that a fusion at this stage may lead to problems in other parts of my spine and has referred me to a pain specialist to control the pain rather than deal with it surgically (I appreciate that surgery is the last resort and I am honestly scared of this and would like to postpone for as long as possible).
I would like to know if I am on the right path and whether any of you are in a similar position. I am lucky to have my mum to talk to as she understands everything that I am experiencing.
I am very concerned because my commute in between 45 mins to an hour each direction and the neurosurgeon said that I would be advised to find a new job closer to home. It isn't so easy to just 'find a job'.
Additionally, my hips are causing me a lot of pain. The scan showed no abnormalities in this area which is great news. I was born with dislocateable hips so I think this may be related?
I am currently taking codeine phosphate twice a day. I am not very active since the onset of the pain though I am looking to take up pilates or yoga with an experienced instructor. The onset of the pain coincided with an intensive course of yin yoga that featured a lot of back bends - I will be wary of hyperextension in future.
Please help,
Lou
0 likes, 4 replies
CHICO_MARX lou1991
Posted
If you really, really need a single-level fusion, you might want to reject the typical TLIF (rear entry, rails and screws) and consider an LLIF (LATERAL Lumbar Interbody Fusion)...doc goes in from the SIDE. Search YouTube for "globus lateral" for a cute animation.
I had a TLIF a few years back but got bad stenosis at L2/L3 last October. Doc did the LLIF this March. 90-minute op, one night hospital stay, no brace, no rehab. Miracle op...IMMEDIATE pain relief. My back feels like it never happened. Yes, had a few weeks of post-op nerve pain in my thighs because they retract the nerve roots during the op...but this was minor.
You should check with a neurosurgeon who has lots of experience with this op to see if it will solve your condition. This is the best kept secret in spine surgery.
PS: Pic attached. You can see the full-width device inserted above my old TLIF. After insertion and expansion (yes, they use an actual Allen wrench to crank it open like a jack for a flat tire), the doc backfills it with a bone graft from your hip to accelerate the bone fusion. Incredible technology.
lou1991 CHICO_MARX
Posted
This is great, thank you. I had absolutely no idea that there was an alternative and will be sure to look into this.
May I ask for the name of the surgeon? I have turned private messaging on if you'd prefer to send it there.
CHICO_MARX lou1991
Posted
I live outside of Fort Worth, TX. My surgeon is the incomparable Tom Ellis from the Fort Worth Brain and Spine Institute. Saved my wife's life 7 years ago when she had a brain aneurysm. For me, he removed a bone spur at L4/L5 that was crushing my sciatic nerve root about 5 years ago. Then I had the TLIF and LLIF fusions. My spine was a "junkyard" (HIS medical term) after 45+ years of playing hockey.
IF this is the right procedure for you, you need to see a neurosurgeon with this specific expertise. Just to let you know, it involves TWO surgeons...your neuro plus a General Surgeon. The GS does the incision and "clears a path" to your spine from the side. This involves moving "a few things" around to create the "path". Then the neuro does the LLIF and the GS does the close. I had to wait until Tom coordinated the op with my GS Tony Castaneda. I prepared a 90-minute CD of my band's blues music for them to work by...they loved it. These are some of the top guys in the DFW area...maybe even the whole planet.
mike92384 lou1991
Posted
Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Grade 1 is nothing to worry about. It's when the numbers go higher.
Your surgeon said "fusion at this stage may lead to problems in other parts of my spine & has referred me to a pain specialist to control the pain rather than deal with it surgically". This surgeon has done you a great favour. A lot
of surgeons can be knife happy..when surgery isn't all that necessary.
Do you know how many people have bulging discs??????? Deterioration of the spine is so common, it would make your head spin. It's when there are pinched nerves, or the discs are so badly deteriorated, of there's SEVERE narrrowing on the spinal canal is when surgery is performed. If you were to lose control of your bladder or bowels because of what's going on in the spine, that's usually deemed to be an emergency..& of course action wouldn't be delayed.
I'm sure the surgeon told you to find a job closer to home because your's talking about the travel to/from considering your 'condition'. My response would be the same...."find a job closer to home". I hardly think this is medically necessary. I'm not meaning to criticize what you're going through..not at all...but truly, your spine is not a threat to you at this stage of the game. Go for the pain specialist..see what they can do for you..but don't expect to be referred for surgery.