Should I have an L4-L5 Fusion

[Rick]

About 6 to 7 years ago I injured my lower back by leaning forward and lifting a large weight improperly. Since that time it has been prone to re-injury, and I seem to have a relapse about every 6 to 12 months but occasionally shorter. The pain is primarily limited to the lower back, although sometimes I will have very mild numbness or very mild pain in my legs, but not always and it is never severe or really much of an issue. The lower back muscles lock up during these episodes and I cannot stand erect, sometimes for as long as several weeks. The longest period I have gone without re-injury is about 18 months. Recovery/rehab is varied and takes between 2 weeks to 6 months. After recovery I can do pretty much anything I want with reasonable care. During these times I lift weights and do Judo, but I am careful to protect my back, for example I do not do dead lifts or squats or do very much stand up work in Judo where I might be thrown in an uncontrolled manner. The re-occurrences seem almost random, for example several have occurred when I simply leaned over to pet my dog or pick up a sock.

MRI indicates that the L4-L5 disk is degenerative(It is black and shows a slightly less inter vertebral space). There is also a slight bulge posteriorly at this level. All other levels look completely normal. X ray during back extension (leaning over backwards) shows reduced space between the vertebrae posteriorly as opposed to anteriorly. Forward and side flexion

[boofy]

In the past year I have had 2 spinal fusions. I have spondolythesis on L5-S1. In January 2000 I had anterior/posterior lumbar fusion on L5-S1. I felt GREAT! 3 months into healing I began to feel spasms in the lower back, went in for x-rays only to find out that the front of my spinal fusion was collapsing. I had rods and screws placed in back and the disc in front was removed and packed with bone from a bone bank. (the back was fused with graft from me) The back was healing and the front with the donor bone was collapsing. In August of 2000, I went back in for a revision due to the front collapsing, this time grafting bone from my hip and inserting a cage. I feel great and if need be would do it all over again if I had to knowing that there can be relief from back pain. Search around for a good surgeon, it took me 4 months before setteling with mine. I am thankful that everything worked out the way it has. I just wanted to share a success story about someone who has suffered as you all have. Good luck to Rick and everyone in whatever your decision is.

[Cheryl]

To Rick, dm5940, terry, maggie and all others who responded to Rick's original posting . . .   I hope the following information lifts your spirits.  I have come across two articles so far that address the potential use of artificial intervertebral disc.  There are trial studies going on NOW.  According to the information provided, these artificial discs could be used in both persons facing surgery for the first time as well as for persons who did not have a satisfactory outcome from spinal fusion.  One article provides a contact person if you want to know more about one of the studies currently underway in the U.S. Other names are mentioned in the articles that may give you the ability to extend your research concerning artificial discs.  Apparently results of one study were already presented at a meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in San Antonio, TX.  You may read these articles at: http://www. spine-surgery.com/SSPSC/discreplacementsurgery2.htm and at HealthSCOUT.com, (under New Articles do a search for "Spines of Steel").  Please let the rest of us know what you find out.  Perhaps "CCF NeuroMD" would care to contribute his knowledge/comments concerning these artificial discs.

[Cheryl]

To Rick, dm5940, terry, maggie and all others who responded to Rick's original posting . . .   I hope the following information lifts your spirits.  I have come across two articles so far that address the potential use of artificial intervertebral disc.  There are trial studies going on NOW.  According to the information provided, these artificial discs could be used in both persons facing surgery for the first time as well as for persons who did not have a satisfactory outcome from spinal fusion.  One article provides a contact person if you want to know more about one of the studies currently underway in the U.S. Other names are mentioned in the articles that may give you the ability to extend your research concerning artificial discs.  Apparently results of one study were already presented at a meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in San Antonio, TX.  You may read these articles at: http://www. spine-surgery.com/SSPSC/discreplacementsurgery2.htm and at HealthSCOUT.com, (under New Articles do a search for "Spines of Steel").  Please let the rest of us know what you find out.  Perhaps "CCF NeuroMD" would care to contribute his knowledge/comments concerning these artificial discs.

[pablo penaloza mac master]

Do you think that multiple sclerosis is a disease that involves a cross/reaction between viral proteins and myelin.
PleASE I need an answer,I have a hipothesis...

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[Linda]

Well you all have pretty much made up my mind for me.  DO NOT HAVE SURGERY!  I've been diagnosed with advanced degeneration  with spurring, extreme arthritis, and herniation with spurs on C-3 thru C-7.  My symtoms are constant aching in upper back, across shoulder and down right arm, with numbness, and muscle cramping.  I do not have excruciating pain though.  Rest and heat helps me along with aquatic therapy.  Mechanical traction worsened everything.  My orthopedic surgeon recommends "extensive" surgery to repair/rebuild my neck.  I have been going half crazy not knowing what I should do, so I looked for a good informative web-site.  I am so thankful.  However, I will be having a 2nd opinion just for my own peace of mind.  I hope all of you feel better soon.

[regina]

I had L4/L5 BAK Interbody Fusion System performed in Leonardtown, MD in March 1999 (four cages in all).  I am in more pain now than before surgery.  I wore a bone stimulator for the last three months (July, August, September and part of October 2000) which was unable to stimulate bone growth around the cages.  How am I supposed to continue working with this kind of pain all day--- I have burning in the lower back, pain in my right hip and down my right leg.  Anyone else out there with similar problems?