Spinal Fusion

I had a Lower Lumbar Spinal Fusion in 2004 and since then my back pain has became worse than it was before surgery.  The last few days I have had severe pain and had to go to the ER.  I was needing to know if there is an MRI that can be done safely on me because I have the rods and screws in my back, I am scared something is going wrong inside there and I don't know what to do...I have an appt. with a pain clinic in 1 month, but I am in need of some help now.  Could you please give me some suggestions...........

[j3b]

I had a three level fusion about 8yrs ago.It did help, but I'm also in allot of pain for about the last 5yrs. the last two have been the worst. I cry every day. I went to a spine specialist we did ALL new test. He said my disc above my fusion is protruding ( going out) and my joints and having issues.When I told him how much I hurt .He said you should not be hurting that much. My be you also should see another doctor or two.

[CherryTreeIsMe]

I am trying to get into a pain clinic right now, I need somthing done I called the Doctor that performed me surgery and he refused to see me without a referral, and my workers comp insurance pays for it all and they are so darn picky and I am just having the hardest time right now, heck i had a terrible time just getting a referral to anyone.....but thanks a bunch for your answer..

[Grancyanne]

I had  spinal fusion at L4-5 about six years ago which helped a lot but now, like you, have a lot of pain especially down the buttock and leg.  Spine surgeon saw MRI and thinks it's the next level above (which apparently happens a lot after surgery because the fused part is strong, so the adjacent area gets the stress).  He said it would not be that difficult to fuse the next level and he wouldn't have to take out the previous hardware or anything.  But he ordered another test first called I think a CT myelogram, which uses contrast to see better around the metal.  I saw him because I was in tremendous pain but I just had two knee replacements and I think now that I am walking a little better and able to MOVE a little and stretch, the pain is getting better somewhat.  I found changing position helps more than meds for the pain.  I have to sit a lot for my job and that's the worst.  After I get up and walk a little it's somewhat better.

Good luck.

[CherryTreeIsMe]

Thanks, I try to move around alot, but sitting or standing doesn't really do anything, matter of fact, nothing really helps.  When I had the surgery, it didn't help at all, I didn't notice until a few months after because they had me so drugged the first few months, but If I could it all over again, i would have never had the surgery.

[Photohappy03]

My quick story to share about my fusion, I know most of you may not have scoliosis but I had a fusion also.

I had harrington rod/fusion surgery for scoliosis almost 23 years ago. In the last 10-15 + years, I have had terrible complications from the surgery, neurosurgeon calls it flatback syndrome. My 2 rods start at T3 and end at L2, they took bone off my left hip at the time of surgery to fuse the spine.

I have been in and out of doctor's offices, counselors, physical therapy, seen many massage therapists, chiropractors, multiple prescription use, and also have used many modalities of alternative medicine because I suffer from chronic pain all the time, fibromyalgia symptoms, myofascial pain (tons of knots in the muscles...everywhere), pinching and burning of nerves and especially around the rods/fusion and my legs, extreme dizziness/vertigo, migraines that last for weeks, TMJ disorder, bulged disks, abnormal forward curvature (at least 30%) of the cervical spine, degenerating disks, pre osteoarthritis, arthritis, bursitis, sciatica, numbness , burning, and tingling of extremities, muscle fatigue and weakness/atrophy, edema, shortness of breath, thyroid issues, gall bladder issues, hypoglycemia, poor concentration, memory problems, moodiness and depression, sleep issues... I think that just about covers it all :(  I never had any pain or any issues before my surgery, even though I was only eleven.   Many other scoliosis friends that have had fusions are suffering with the same things as well because of the long term outcomes.

[1babyboy]

I recently had a fusion L4 l5 the reason I decided two was a battle of ten years of nerve pain in the right leg..The doc thought it would help and said I needed one for years..If I knew then what I know now I never would have done it everything is worse and now I have atrophy. and the doc thinks something is wrong with the S1 nerve ..
though some people have great success ..my injury was also workers comp..fight for your self demand a referral.

[mikeinohio271]

i am having L4 L5 S1 fusion done in oct 5 i am scared to death i have had previous spinal surgeries and am on so much pain meds my head is spinning i dont bother to get out of bed because it is horrible pain even with the meds anyone share experiences good or bad cause im having second thoughts about even doin this