L4-5 and L5-S1 problems....

[diegoenfuego]

I'd had back spasms in my lower back before but they began getting progressively worse after late February. I had shoveled our driveway and about 1-2 hours later I couldn't stand up straight and I ended up in the doctor's office with what they said were back spasms again. Since Feb I've been to the doc 2 additional times and it would've been more like 5-7 times had I not had left over muscle relaxers to take. Anyway, it'd been getting much worse to the point that I was having pain nearly every day or every other day in my lower back so I finally convinced the doc to order an MRI after going in to his office in severe pain. The MRI showed disk dessication at the L4-5 and L5-S1 level. Grade 1 anterior listhesis of L5 over S1. There is bilateral spondylolysis and grade 1 anterior listhesis. Mild diffuse disk bulge at the L4-5. At L5-S1 there is associated moderate facet arthropathy. There is mild to moderate neural foraminal stenosis.

So, i'm 30 yrs old and I'm a police officer who has to carry about 25 pounds of equipment on myself through the 8 hour work day. I'm going to the neurosurgeon on Monday, but I was just wondering what people think might end up being the course of action to treat my lower back pain. It's been running down into my left knee and recently had an episode where it ran across my right hip into my groin...very painful I must say. So let me know what you think. Thanks

[karen717]

I have not had very serious back surgery before, but I have had some problems. I was first diagnosed w/ L4 and L5 buldging discs. Rounds of steroids worked sometimes. Then later, I had a lumbar epidural which helped for 3 yrs. (I was lucky. only had one and it worked that long). The next flare up was bad. The MRI showed a ruptured disc w/bone fragments pressing on a nerve. When the surgeon went in to remove the fragment, he found more than what the MRI showed. I even had on fragment lodged in the V where your nerves come out of your spinal and split down both legs. He said he didn't know how I lived w/the pain. It also showed I have degenerative disc disease and probably have a fusion in my future. My mother-in-law had great success w/her fusion. She and I have talked to great lengths about all this. Sometimes you come to a place where the pain is so bad that you think if I was paralyzed, at least I wouldn't hurt. This is a bad place to be. There are stories about back surgery from one end of the spectrum to the other. Ultimatly, the decision will be yours alone. Good luck and stay here for support no matter what you choose to do.

[Judy1961]

I have had three lumbar surgeries, which now have been surgically fused from T-11 down to S-1 (my entire lumbar spine).  I have also had two cervical spine surgeries, which now go from C4 to C7, which the last cervical spine surgery permanently paralyzed my right vocal cord and had to have a silastic implant.   I am forty-seven years old and have had lower back problems since I was twenty-two years old.  I had a diving board injury.  

My last spinal surgery was October 2007 and I am still having problems.  I would think will all the problems I have, that I would be able to be on disability.  I have seen people with much less problems than me on it.   I was released to go back to work in February 2008 and now I can't even find a job (trust me, I have been looking since February).

Anyway, invasive spinal surgery is extremely painful and the recovery is slow.   I was in the hospital for 11 days and had to have two blood transfusions while in the hospital recovering.   At one point, I was hallucinating and had to be put on Haldol while in the hospital.  They were going to transfer me to the Rehabilitation Unit of the hospital, but thank goodness I was able to go home with full-time help of my favorite sister-in-law.

Right now, the most I weight I am allowed to lift is 25 pounds.  In the last month, I am finally able to sleep in my bed after sleeping in my recliner all of this time.

Are you having numbness in your saddle area?    Sounds like you have a lot going on with your lumbar spine.  I don't believe with the spondylolisthesis and listhesis that this can be corrected with minimally invasive surgery.  The main problem with having a fusion performed that I have encountered is:  the next spinal level with eventually go next, but usually that is at least 5-7 years or more after the surgery.  Mine, unfortunately was two years or less with each level.    

Please let us know what the neurosurgeon says.  Don't forget to take the actual MRI film or if it is on a on disc/and the results with you.  I worked for an orthopedic surgeon for 11 years and he always wanted this.   Take it easy and hopefully this won't be as bad as it is may seem.

Judy

[spinefused]

I don't know if you have had any prior back surgeries but from my experience I would not have any surgery done unless you are told that you will be paralyzed or do massive damage to your back if you leave it alone...... I have had 3 fusions all done in the lumbar area... 1st one when I was 12 that went very well...........last two have taken me completely out of work, out of shape, and out of a healthy future... and they were done by a highly recommended neurosurgeon with latest techniques.  at the very least you will be out of work for a while and probably won't be working as a police officer anymore. Even though my 1st surgery went perfect and had records, ect along with martial arts, ect.  I could not get into any public service or serve in military... too much risk of further injury.. that included paramedic or fire dept as welll.  really think it over... it will change your life if you opt for surgery........... good luck