spondylolisthesis experiences

Hi folks.  I have recently been diagnosed with a grade 2 spondylolisthesis and a herniated disc at L5-S1.  My chiropractor is going to do IDD Therapy which decompresses the disc and stretches the spine.  He says the spondy will hopefully drop back into place and the herniation should be fixed.  I have also talked to an orthopedic dr. and he chose to monitor my symptoms and talk about surgery at my next visit.  He also told me to go to physical therapy.  Has anybody had any experience with spondylo's?  I'm interested in hearing about anything.  Thanks for your help!!!!!!!

[Kalvin]

It was laminectomy and a fusion at L4-5 as a result of a large disc herniation compressing the right nerve root and spinal cord. It happened from fall. I let it go for too long and lost the majority of the use of my right leg. I could hardly walk.

Surgery wasn't an option, I had to do it. I got lucky an got a real good Surgeon, I don't remember how long the procedure was, but I was in the hospital for 3 days. The recovery was rough, I had a lot of pain and it took forever too heal. I was suppose to go to P.T. at 6 weeks but I was in to much pain and too weak. I ended up going at 12 weeks. I had 6 months of P.T. getting my muscles back in shape and relearning to use my leg again. At 6 months I still had pain, but was a lot better. It took a full year to recover.

Its been almost 9 years, I haven't had a problem in my low back since. I've been very lucky. We had a member that had surgery for everything I had and Spondylolisthesis earlier this year, and she stuck around pretty much for her whole recovery, she doesn't post much anymore, but as far as I know she's doing great.

Like I said in my other post, with a grade 2 you really shouldn't need surgery. How bad is your herniation? Are you getting a lot of pain from it?

[Kalvin]

I don't have spondylolisthesis, but I've had every other type of back problem. Grade 2's usually respond well to conservative treatment, make sure you give it it enough time, before you start talking surgery. I know some of them are done through the back, that's how I had my fusion, it's a rough recovery.

[Punkinhead75]

Thanks for your response.  Please tell me more about the fusion.  Why/when did you get it, the recovery process,  and how are you doing now?  Hope all is well with you and best of luck.

[Kalvin]

It was laminectomy and a fusion at L4-5 as a result of a large disc herniation compressing the right nerve root and spinal cord. It happened from fall. I let it go for too long and lost the majority of the use of my right leg. I could hardly walk.

Surgery wasn't an option, I had to do it. I got lucky an got a real good Surgeon, I don't remember how long the procedure was, but I was in the hospital for 3 days. The recovery was rough, I had a lot of pain and it took forever too heal. I was suppose to go to P.T. at 6 weeks but I was in to much pain and too weak. I ended up going at 12 weeks. I had 6 months of P.T. getting my muscles back in shape and relearning to use my leg again. At 6 months I still had pain, but was a lot better. It took a full year to recover.

Its been almost 9 years, I haven't had a problem in my low back since. I've been very lucky. We had a member that had surgery for everything I had and Spondylolisthesis earlier this year, and she stuck around pretty much for her whole recovery, she doesn't post much anymore, but as far as I know she's doing great.

Like I said in my other post, with a grade 2 you really shouldn't need surgery. How bad is your herniation? Are you getting a lot of pain from it?

[Punkinhead75]

Hi Kalvin,  I get a burning sensation in my low back which radiates out towards my right side.  I also get numbness in my right leg.  Both the numbness and burning get worse the longer I am upright.  Sometimes I have trouble with my psoas muscle getting tight which pulls on my vertebrea and can cause some pain.  Usually I can stretch it and get some relief.  I can move around a lot and am doing a lot of exercise right now.  I'm currently out of work but expected to go back in a couple weeks.  Gonna stick with the decompression therapy and core stability exercises and see how that goes.  It has worked in the past.  I used to have a herniated disc at L4-L5 but that is now gone and doing well considering my L4 vertebrea is beating it up pretty good.  

I really appreciate hearing from you and am glad you are doing well.  Getting doctors to let you talk to other patients, especially patients who have had trouble, is not easy.  Thanks again!!!!

[chiclette]

Hi there, I have recently been diagnosed with spondy at L3/4 with degenerative disc , moderate nerve compression, and bone spurs. I have tried physio (4 months), cortisone injections into the spinal nerves.  The surgeon is only giving me a 50% so I am now trying a chiropractor. It is all very frustrating but I want to make sure that I have tried everything before having surgery..I also do ice (helps the inflamation (inflammation)) and some core strenthening exercises...I have been told no heavy lifting, reaching or arching back wards.

[Punkinhead75]

Good to hear from you.  I hope things go well for you.!!!!!!