Re: Fusion failed, wheres the bone graft, Do I have to refuse?

Posted By Anne on March 04, 1999 at 11:01:50:

In Reply to: Fusion failed, wheres the bone graft, Do I have to refuse? posted by Anne Shear on February 28, 1999 at 12:39:41:






I have had spondy grade I since I fractured my spine in auto accident.  Fractured two vertabrae in neck, two in thoracic, and finally l-4,l-5 some 15 years ago.  Four years ago had surgery to fuse L-4L-5 with bone graft due to laminectomy from L3-L5.  I have been in moderate to mostly severe pain since surgery.  Because my insurance was cancelled the day of my surgery, no docs would touch me.  I have had a recent MRI and X-ray which shows instability in the l-4l-5 region.  Does that mean the fusion didn't take place?  If it did not where's the bone graft from my hip, is it floating around.  I was told by my surgeon that surgery was inevitable - instrumentation.  In your opinon, could I possibly try to strengthen the muscles and abdominal region and live my life with this constant pain.  I would rather live on controlled meds and live 50% of what I used to be like (thats where I am now) then to risk anymore surgeries.  I lost my job, scholarships ect. because I am unable to sit more than an hour, or stand.  Please HELP.