FMS, Spinal Stenosis and L4-L5 Spondylothesis (Fusion Recommended)

[dianegvsunp]

Spinal fusion has been recomended. Epidural and Facet injections after the first injection have given no relief. Partial relief with TENS, Have had to leave my job due to pain and inability to bend or stand. I have an appointment for prolotherapy this week. Any thoughts of this. It is out of pocket and somewhat concerned, but I have had overal reaction to the steriod injections. I am also concerned about the fusion and FMS. WHat kind of reaction can I expect. Am I going to be worse. I have had other corrective surgeryies on my feet and has not gone well. Thoughts

[KBear]

If I were you I would see 3 or more surgeons and get recommendations on what to do next. Ask them why the recommend what they do and why not something else. You may get 3 opinions that are the same or they may all have different opinions. Either way, it's good to research your options before making a decision. Good Luck

[Hooch]

You've probably got a few decent indications for surgery there, but you've been diagnosed with fibro for some reason so a fusion won't help that.

I agree with KBear, get some more opinions.

Yes, you can end up worse after spinal surgery due to a variety of reasons. Discuss the chances of success with your surgeon. Any surgeon who says you can't end up worse is blowing smoke.

[Katie]

I'd also been diagnosed with FMS two years ago, but my symptoms seem to have lessened substantially since surgery in March...so it may have been a misdiagnosis. On top of the lumbar fusions below, I also had significant compression of the spinal cord and stenosis at C5/6, and had the NeoDisc ADR put in at that level in the same surgery which reversed many of the neurological problems I had pre-op.

I had spondy at L5/S1 and an ALIF there with a stand alone PEEK cage, but had XLIF at L4/5 also. I highly recommend the XLIF, as the recovery from that was so short. What a difference in the healing time and lack of pain! The XLIF procedure goes through the psoas muscle without cutting any nerves, by weaving a probe through that lets the surgeon know where they are and then can go around...it is brilliant. My post-op pain levels were very small because so few nerves were damaged.

Like others, I recommend sending your images out to a number of surgeons, both in the US and internationally. There are some brilliant doctors out there and eventually you will get a feel of the best way to go.