Spondylolisthesis

[Justin]

I appreciate the insight. I would say that I do trust my chiropractor. He really isn't cracking me at the spondy point, but doing the decompression machine and making sure both legs are sitting right in the hips, not off.

The rest of my spine is evidently good. But that is what I fear. I have heard that fusing the vertebrae can then cause the vertebrae above and below to start to move. Thoughts?

I don't know if my condition was hereditary but I do know skiing was what put it over the edge. My wife doesn't want me to ski anymore if I am in pain. I agree, but it is my most favorite thing to do.

Rockinit, it sounds like your chiropractor is being careful with your spondy. This is definitely a good thing. Try to keep your adjustments to soft-tissue techniques, if possible.

Fusion can accelerate the degenerative processes of the spine by placing abnormal stress on the adjacent levels above and below the fusion. However, this is not to say that fusion is a bad procedure. Fusion is actually a great procedure in properly selected Spine Patients. Of course, many factors ultimately go into this decision.

Like you, I loved skiing. It was my passion in life and I had to give it up (or I guess I should say I chose to give it up). I look forward to getting on the slopes again someday, but I still haven't pulled the trigger on that one.

Thank you guys for all your input. It is helpful. At least I know one thing right now. I don't want my current doctor cutting me.

I am still so lost. I am going to give this a go for a while I guess. If it doesn't get better, my wife will kill me as she is becoming an insomniac because of me. At that point I will get cut. It is so hard to swallow that a 27 yr old NEEDS back surgery and can't heal with some TLC.

Thanks again.

I understand the difficulty of spine surgery at a young age (I've had 3 spine surgeries under the age of 30 and my first was at 17). However, I would say "the ball is in your court." Things out of our control directly or indirectly affect our bodies (genetics, trauma, accidents, etc.) and you just have to roll with the punches.

The best weapon you have and a great way to empower yourself is by doing research--find out what options are available to you (conservative and surgical options) and truly understand what's going on with your body. Also, make sure to share how you are feeling with your wife and use the Spine Patient Society as a sounding board. It truly meant the world to me to know that I could connect with others that were facing similar issues.

We are all in this together.

[sportsnut3007]

You would have to ask a doctor and maybe justin since he has it in him, but they have that paradigm dynamic stabilization thing in europe. Not sure if it is appropriate in your situation or not, but a thought. Again though, insurance wont cover it or repair if needed it revised so its all cost and lots of money and with any new thing, its a risk.

[Hooch]

Gday Rock,

You need to do what they call in the states 'spinal stabilisation' physical therapy. It won't hurt as if it is done properly the initial exercises are performed lying down with very slow movements. After back injury muscles in the back 'switch off' and do not spontaneously reactivate, so you'll need to become cogniscant of and train to activate your transverse abdominus, pelvic floor and multifidus. These muscles stabilise your spine and bring pain relief. From there you work your way out and activate glutes over hamstrings etc in an attempt to unload the spine in daily movement as much as possible.

This is a box that needs to be ticked before surgery, after years of back pain this is the only evidence based program I have found that did reduce my pain levels in the long term, as long as the muscle memory is grooved and maintained. There is an excellent program here in Australia called 'Bounceback', but I am not sure if someone has actually created a program in your country. Just make sure you get a good physio, and that any work begins by ensuring you can activate those stabilising core muscles in unloaded poses (lying on back, side etc).

Personally I wouldn't let a manipulating chiro within 10 feet of me if I had a slip. Unfortunately I've found most chiros to be useless, at best providing short term relief, at worst quite loopy with some wiered ideas. I had one clown rubbing on the back of my pelvis with a splicing fid to break up my scar tissue. She still wanted $75 a session.

If you do go for surgery one level with a slip and neurological symptoms is probably decent indications, just make sure you've stretched, strengthened and mobilised everything first.

Best of luck,
Chris.

[rockinit]

So I just saw another back specialist, this time a non surgical back doctor. Really good guy. Spent 2 hrs with me talking about my back. He pointed out other issues I have at the L4-5 area I didn't know about.

Pretty much what he said was PT will help and injections will help for a bit, but I will need back surgery in the next 10 years. As I said, a NON surgical back doctor who normally isn't a proponent of surgery. But he said not yet. I personally think if I need it, or will need it indefinitely, why not get it done now. You heal better when your young.

Pretty bummed out... but such is life.

I live at Lake Tahoe, Ca. I would imagine back doctors/ surgeons in the SF/ Bay area would be better. If anyone knows of a specialist, please let me know.

Once again, thank you for all your input.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

rockinit,

I'm kind of curious, was this new doc a physiatrist? If so I saw one for a while before I went to a pain management doc. The difference is the former don't normally Rx opiates. They are into injections and PT. I ended up spending to much time with him before moving on. I spent to much time with the pain doc too before having surgery as I was scared to death of surgery. In the end, it is what I needed. I may not have given the physiatrist a fair shot though because I continued with my back detrimental life style refusing to modify it. At any rate, it might be worth a try. Some people have a short series of no more than three steroid injections and never have any other problems. If it were me, I probably would not see both a physiatrist and chiropractor at the same time without informing both of the other. To many cooks in the kitchen.

From my experience, I would only be concerned with the level that is the pain generator. Even if you have surgery now, with a modicum of activity modification, you may never have any more problems.

[KBear]

I completely agree with all that Jack said. I also spent way too much time doing the conservative stuff, which I think was mostly lining pockets of the doctors who after a bit of it had to know it wasn't going to help. I personally believe that the sooner in the injury you have surgery, the better the chance you have of healing completely (of course after trying conservative therapy and allowing time to heal- at least a year in my opinion). I know looking at surgery young is no fun, but why let your youth be filled with pain? Might as well get better and enjoy life! There are quite a few younger people on here, some started back problems in their early teens.... makes me feel lucky that mine wasn't until I was 25.

[Cindylou]

Typically, it's the insurance companies that want to see all exhausted conservative measures taken before any surgical intervention is approved. Which is a good thing....up to a point.

[Carmen]

Hi CindyLou,
Surgery is not fun by a long shot. Physical therapy is also not fun. I am going to try and send you something by PM.
Hopefully you can open it, although I am sending it via office 97. If you can't I think of another way I can get this to you. Probably through my email. Operations are tough when you are by yourself. My family has been terriffic. Carmen