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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Failed fusion - what now?
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Failed fusion - what now?
by TSpale, Oct 31, 2004 12:00AM
My husband had L4-S1 fusion done 18 months ago. Despite over 12 months of therapy he still suffers from extreme sharp pains in the left hip and leg resulting in the need to lay down at least every hour or so. EMG revealed "mild" damage probably done at the time of surgery (per surgeon) We've not found any pain meds that help. Contributing problems---obesity (due to lack of activity (6'4" 350lbs) and smoking 2 packs/day. The weight is slowing coming off. What else can we do???
Fusion was done due to an injury but delayed 3-1/2 months due to work comp.
Fusion was done due to an injury but delayed 3-1/2 months due to work comp.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Nov 04, 2004 12:00AM
I would encourage you to have a second opinion at an academic spine center. They will be able to review his case and then make medical or surgical recommendations. They should be able to recommend other medications or procedures which may treat the pain. Good luck.
your symptoms sounded like mine. i had L5/s1 fused and every day it felt like i was getting worse and no one would listen. it's been a year and i finally ditched all dr.'s and got new ones. i just found out my fusion NEVER fused, a screw coming out of one of my discs, large amounts of tissue forming in there, just to name a few. basically go with how you feel , i wish i had done it sooner because i am in agony as you are, i can not sit stand walk. my quality of life is terrible all because no one would listen and people did not do there job right. I went (recently to American Radiologists - who got it right) to get another CT and another reading. if you go in and the place is not nice the people are not kind and helpful then leave. make sure the equipment is state of the art. i had a lot of my films miss read because of poor films and radiologists that didnt take the timeto try to read them and doctors who didnt listen and put two and two together. I have been living like this for over a year. It sounds like you are having the same pain I am. My fusion didnt take. Get a new doctor. Go to a new place that specializes in films and get a new CT scan and go from there. I bet that's it, I know how it feels and it is absolutely Horrible!!! Good Luck.