Bone fusions slipping

[Katy890]

Have any doctors/patients seen instances of L4-L5 lumbar bone fusions slipping out of position and causing excrutiating pain?  Is this a common happening?  I thought they were supposed to be permanent.  What is the treatment for this unfortunate event?

[Kalvin]

No, I'm not a Doctor. I'm just someone who's had back surgery too.


Take Care

[Katy890]

Yes, it definitely has happened to me.  I had my original surgery August 9, 1999 - exactly 11 years ago from the date when I learned my L4-L5 space  bone fusion mass had moved 6 mm from where it is supposed to be.  It is now compromising nerve roots in the left pelvic area to the extent that 2 Tylox every 6 hours doesn't really help much.  I can't sleep at nigh on either side or my back.  And I'm not a stomach sleeper either.  It hurts to sit down, so standing and walking are my only options right now.

I presume I had a posterior approach, but was under anesthesia at the time.  The scar, however, is on my lower back,  I recently had AP and Lateral x-rays at the hospital when this was discovered.  I am going to see a neurosurgeon Wednesday to see what needs to be done, but am compromised by the fact that I currently am suffering from a pulmonary embolism and am on Coumadin for that.  So I have a really big problem.  And I don't like to take pain pills for very long periods as they upset my stgmach and my whole body.  I don't tolerate them too well.

What experience have you had w/ this type of problem?  Any suggestions?? Are you a doctor?

[Kalvin]

It can happen, but I wouldn't say its common. Do you think this has happened to you, how long has it been since you had surgery? Did you have a Posterior approach, have you had an MRI or X-rays?