Failed interbody fusion with cages but didn't put in hardware

[Richard3889]

I'm 48 and I have had two back surgeries. The first one was done in 1985 which was a laminectomy on L4-L5,L5-S1. This surgery was a good surgery. Then in 1994 I had a fall and hurt my back again. I put the surgery off until 2000 when the dostor told me that I have degenative disc on L1-L2,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1. I also have a lot of scar tissue and this is growing on my nurve root.He said I would need to have a interbody fusion with cages only on L5-S1.I asked him about the others and he said I don't need it yet.So the dumy like me said yes. But the day of surgery he came and said all he was going to do was put the cages in. Then he said that if this surgery does not work he will go and cut the back and scrap the scar tissue off and put the pins in then. About a month after surgery the pain did not stop but got worse and also had blood clots 13 of them trap in my lung. When I told him about the pain he drop me and move away. So I got scared and would not have another surgery. Will today I'm think about it because I live in a wheelchair and on SSI and I'm tired of the meds. One of my meds is Methadone and all it does is make me sleep. Now I'm have the following: heavy pain in lower back,Leg leg pain with numbness and spasms. I can't control my left leg it's like its on it own. So you can see. What I want to know is if this doctor goes for another surgery what kind of surgery should I except? Should they scrape the nurve and fuse all these disc that are bad or just the one the did not get the hardware and if I do the surgery can I get more blood clots again? Please answer me

[Mumpy]

Hi Richard, I just wanted to say hang in there. It's hard to face more medical help when we've had a bad experience already.  I had a fusion with instrumentation at L4-L5 and L5-S1 3yrs ago and now and finally getting to the bottom of the reason I fell and got hurt in the first place.....a cyst in my head!  Now after trying to avoid docs for the past 3 yrs I have to go and maybe even have surgery.  Very scary but I'm with you, I think it's a good idea to go and have everything checked out.

Best of luck.  I hope you post back how you make out.

[Domo nov]

I think that methadone is not good for you at all . Do you go for therapy ? I would try as hard as i could to deal with the pain and get on lighter drugs . Let me tell you its real easy to take something that makes you feel good . But thats only a temporary cure , I seen a lot of people go down hill from heavy drugs . you have to fight this , be strong . God bless you

[First lady]

I am a 38 year old female with a very old back injury.  I origanlly had a herniated disk.  Had lazer surgery to fix the disk witch failed and a debitus cage was put in my back with no screws for suport.  I since have had two surgeries trying to correct the issue of fusion in my spine.  L4-L5,  I screws and bone grafts put in wich offered some support but not enough.  This was also complicated by a staff infection.  

I am looking for some encouragement.  I am haveing what will be my sixth surgery.  They will be removing this cage which was, from what I understand, not mounted well as well as more bone grafts ect.  

I'm not looking for a miracle but, I am hoping to have more control over my right leg and less pain in my back and legs.

I also have the concern of drug addiction.  I started taking morphine which made me sick.  I know take oxocodone and oxicontin.  I have been taking them for a year know.  My concern is how well my pain will be controled after surgery concerning the type of meds that I am currnetly taking prior to surgery.