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










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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion TRENT 7/28/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion denise (to Trent) 8/02/1999
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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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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion denise 7/24/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion frank 7/26/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion denise 7/27/1999
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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion Betsy 7/11/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion Michael 7/15/1999
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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion frank 7/26/1999
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Re: continued pain after spinal fusion frank 7/08/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion howard mcmillan 7/09/1999
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continued pain after spinal fusion howard mcmillan 7/09/1999
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