Re: continued pain after spinal fusion

Posted By frank on July 08, 1999 at 09:49:43
I am 42 and had 3 level surgical spinal fusion with bak with the anterior approach on 8/22/98. The fused areas were L3-L4, L4-L5and L5-S1. Prior to surgery an MRI was done on 7/15/98 Impression: 1)Left sided Interforaminal Disc Herniations at L3-4 and L4-5. This was most severe at L3-4 with nerve root compression. Simialr changes were noted at L4-5. 2) Bilateral Lateral recess stenosis at L4-5 secondary to hypertrophic facets. This was worse on the left. 3) Disc degeneration from L2 to S1. An x-ray on 1/20/98 also noted R sacroiliac arthtitis. I am now 10 months post op and continue to experience Lt. leg pain anterior, to the knee and numbness in the lt. foot. At times I also experience lt. leg siatic (sciatic) pain and occasional rt. leg pain. x-rays show some possible bone fusion at L5-S1 and L4-L5. I had a second spinal fusion scheduled 6/99,posterior approach with pins and rods, due to intolerable pain but cancelled when slight improvement was noted. From your experience what is the general outcome of 3 level fusion and is a second surgery often needed? Also what is the average time frame for fusion with 3 levels? As long as the pain is not intolerable I am willing to wait without more surgery if there is a chance the fusion will occur over time. I have been working since 3 weeks post op and don't want to go through another surgery if possible. If the spine is unstable at this time am I doing any further damage by not having a second surgery? I walk daily after work and try to keep active until the pain becomes too much. I currently take Neutontin 400mg.tid, Indomethacin 50mg. tid and Duragesic 50mcg/hr path.        Thank you in advance for and information you can provide.     Frank

[TRENT__0]

Posted By TRENT on July 28, 1999 at 23:31:35
I AM 27 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A TWO LEVEL FUSION ON L4-L5,L5-S1 I HAD THE SURGEY IN NOV. OF 1994. I HAD BEEN GOING BACK TO THE DOCTOR CONSTANTLY WITH BACK PAIN AND LEG PAIN AND NUMBNESS. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK AND CAN NOT DO TO THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING ANY INFORMATION ON WHAT I COULD DO WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!
I HAVE EVEN CHANGED DOCTORS AND HE SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE, EXCEPT TO GO IN AND REMOVE THE HARDWARE AND SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK..
HE SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE NO GURANTEE THAT IT WOULD HELP.. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND A ONE YEAR OLD SON THAT I CAN'T EVEN GET IN THE FLOOR TO PLAY WITH AND HAVE FUN DO TO THIS.. SO IF YOU WOULD OR COULD TELL ME OF ANYTHING OR SOMRTHING THAT I COULD DO TO MAYBE GET SOME RELEIF PLEASE LET ME KNOW... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
FOREVER IN PAIN TRENT.....

[denise-to-Trent]

Posted By denise (to Trent) on August 02, 1999 at 13:59:00
I know exactly what you are going through. See my comments I made to frank.
I also went through several sessions of accupuncture but I feel the chiropractor  and myofacia release therapy were my answers to feeling better.
Also see if you can get in a warm swimming pool and do some walking  andor
floating excersises.
i will keep in touch
denise










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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion frank 8/04/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion Shoe 8/17/1999
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