Hi! New to forum, need some help from everyone but more so the women on here! Thanks (Herniated disc at T11-T12)

[kflynn0318]

Hi my name is Karin, I was in a car accident last year 4/3/10. I suffered a herniated disc T11-T12. Since the accident I've done 8 months of PT, 3 spinal injections, a month of wearing a back brace, and acupuncture. The pain is worsening and my specialist said its time to consider surgery. The first issue I need help with is has anyone had this surgery before? I know Thoracic spine surgery and problems are very uncommon to begin with, so that makes me nervous. My dr did say we wouldn't have to break my ribs, he would be able to go in right from the back. He would go in take out the herniated disc, replace with bone graft and bmp. Here is where my second question comes in...have any females out there who have had back surgery used this bmp? There is a severe warning on the lable that says to not get pregnant within a year of surgery, its never been tested in humans, and that even if you do wait the year they don't know if it will have a second reaction causing pregnancy problems and/or deformities of your child. This is a huge issue for me b/c I'm only 28, have one child and my husband and I always planned to have a big family. If I do this surgery I won't be able to have kids, or at least feel uncomfortable knowing there could be deformities and issues with health on my unborn child or myself even. Please help!!!!!!

[nolonger_superman]

Hi Karin. I'm sorry to hear about your accident and thus your current condition. I unfortunately do not have any information I can share. I am a new member as well, but from what I have seen, I fully expect some people to chime in and hopefully at least provide some places you can look for information. Sorry I don't have any information. Best of luck and keep the board posted on anything further you find out.

[KBear]

Welcome to the forum Karin. You are correct, thoracic surgery is not common. I would start by getting 3 surgical opinions to make sure that you are a surgical candidate and there is not some reason you shouldn't have it done. I would also go visit your OBGYN and ask them about the BMP warning and see what they think (I'd ask the surgeon too.) I'll warn you, I had a few doctors act is if I was insane for even considering pregnancy with my back issues. If you can find a very pro life OB, you will probably get your best answer. If it is an issue, they can use your own bone for the fusion. I know in general, they ask people to not get pregnant for a year (I was asked to not get pregnant for 2 years, because I am in a clinical trial. The trial lady did tell me as long as I had the baby and could return at my 2 year appointment, that was what really mattered, hence why I'm preggo before the 2 year mark.) When I was consulting my OBGYN prior to pregnancy about what medications I needed to discontinue before pregnancy, he explained to me that other than vitamins, they all carry the typical pregnancy warning. Most medications they just don't know what if any effects it has on a baby (or they don't know of any negative ones.) Any medications that are known to cause birth defects will be labeled that way. Otherwise it's unknown. I'm sure with the BMP it is the same thing, because I know there are women who have fusions and have babies (though I have found it extremely hard to find any of them on the internet.)

[Cindylou]

Welcome Karin, Glad you found us even if the circumstances were not ideal. I am sorry you are dealing with spine problems since your MVA. I did want to tell you that I had BMP installed in my spine for several of my surgeries, particularly with my 3 lumbar Prodiscs. This BMP became necessary because even though my bone density score said my bones were fine, Dr. Bertagnoli discovered otherwise, as he opened my spine. At this point I can say I am not having any side effects or problems that I am aware of. That said, I am also not 28 but 58, and was clearly done with having children years and years ago. As Kathy suggested, I too would recommend asking your obygn and each surgeon you interview. My best to you as you move forward with treatment and relief from your pain, Cindylou

[ajj1001]

I'm not medically trained but was wondering if there was anyway to do the fusion using just your own bone graft, maybe extra instrumentation or a type of cage to assist?

[dalhousie]

I had an anterior lumbar interbody fusion in 2005 at L1/2 using a cage at 41 years old. It's not quite thoracic but nearly. I was always told it was unusual to have DDD at that level. My surgeon had to remove one of my floating ribs to access the area so ground that bone down & put it in the cage. I had a poor history of bone healing so he used BMP & packed it round the cage. I only fused anteriorly but that is classed as a fusion & I got a good result.

I haven't had any side effects (that I've noticed) from the BMP but I didn't have plans to have any children. I wasn't warned about any negative side effects before it was used & at that time information was limited & I didn't find any on the net.

Wishing you all the best with your pain issues.