This is a discussion on Still satisfied with fusion within the Spinal Fusion (Including Discectomy & Laminectomy Procedures) forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; It's been a while since I've been around. Thought I report in with a bit of encouragement for those considering ...
Still satisfied with fusion It's been a while since I've been around. Thought I report in with a bit of encouragement for those considering surgery. I guess I'm like a lot of people, in that once an issue is taken care of, they don't check in regularly.
Had minimally invasive fusion of L5-S1 with titanium winter of '09. So far, I'm happy with the outcome. I've learned I can't behave like a 20 year old but if careful, can keep back pain to 0-1. I do have brainstem and c-spine lesions in the white mater that are currently felt to be low grade tumors. Messes up the feedback from my feet as they are mostly numb. If I don't look at the ground where my feet are being planted, I'm subject to tripping/falling. Couple times it took weeks for my back to recover but eventually it did.
Anyway, there is help and hope out there and much of the time you only hear about the bad outcomes as the good outcomes fade away.
Low back pain became somewhat dehabilitating in 2005
Have had 11 steroid injections, IDET, Trial for nerve stimulator, PT, chiropractic trial, practically every med known to mankind. Discogram indicated three diseased levels with L5-S1 being the most likely pain generator. Post minimally invasive PLIF with internal fixation (titanium) on 12-28-09 of L5-S1. Doing better than expected. Last opioid 7/9/10. Five months pain free, then my neck turned against me. MRI on 12/1/10-- disease at C2 to C7. Only surgical alternative is to fuse entire C-spine. Diagnosed now with Aggressive Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with cord & brainstem active lesions
Re: Still satisfied with fusion JOAT,
Thanks for checking in with us! It's great to read that you are doing so well.I was just thinking about you the other day and I was wondering how you were doing. I do hope the other neuro problems that you were facing are better under control.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: Still satisfied with fusion JOAT, thanks for checking in Jack. I've been off the grid myself with issues, but you have such an upbeat attitude, it is contagious. So thank-you. You rock.CL
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
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