[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] 6 months post op. ALIF L4/L5 - L5/S1 with cages and BMP - Success Story

[archer10]

My success story... (L4/L5 L5/S1 herniation & DDD)
(ALIF with cages and BMP)

History - Was 24, sitting watching football. Had my little 4 year old boy in my lap. Jumped up to celebrate a Steeler touchdown and bang, severely herniated 2 discs. I didn’t know it at the time, but my life changed at that point. For the last 23 years, I’ve been fighting back pain. Have seen many doctor’s, gone through the pain management and physical therapy routine with some success. For about 20 years, I’d follow a pattern of going for a few months with little pain, then having some trigger event where my back would go out. Sometimes these were really stupid things like sneezing or looking up quickly. Standing without moving was always the worst / sure thing to make my back go out. When it would go out, I would be in constant / server pain for a few weeks. I could usually find a position, usually flat on my back, where the pain would not be so server. Pain meds made very little difference when my back was out. The fear of a trigger event ruled / limited my life. A frustrating thing during this time was that by the time I could schedule a doctor’s appt, my back was usually feeling better. I was always told when I finally did get to see someone that I should consider surgery as a last resort. It was major surgery with many risk. I blame myself at this point for not really taking ownership of my health and looking for a solution.

The last few years have been different. Instead of going months without pain, I’d have months with moderate pain with brief days \ weeks of relief. In the fall of 2009, I made the mistake of trying to do yard work myself. What a mistake. The next 8 months were just miserable. I spent many nights feeling throbbing pain in my lower back and leg. I know it sounds kind of strange, but I was able to find sleep some nights by imagining Jesus healing my back. Anything to relieve the pain. I felt like an old man at 46.…. Well, a person can only take so much. I decided to look for a solution. Having been completely scared off of any type of fusion surgery, I started looking at the different laser methods. I contacted a doctor in a nearby state and sent him my MRI results. He said he could help me and I decided to take the chance. The only problem was I’d have to pay about 10k out of pocket.

I’m not a rich man, but money doesn’t mean much when your in pain. My wife and I went up for a 3 day surgery. First day disco gram, second surgery with the third day follow-up. Had my disco gram, and was immediately brought out of anesthesia with hits to both my discs. This was followed by a cat scan to track the die out of the holes / cracks / leaks in my discs. I guess the idea is that the leaks will be cauterized later by the laser. Made sense to me. Was literally in the pre-op room with an IV in my arm when the Dr. came in with the disco gram results. I knew something was wrong by the way he was acting. He showed me the cat scan of my 2 discs. All I could see was a bright area where what was left of my discs were. He explained that there was nothing left of my discs to repair. My discs were completely collapsed, basically bone on bone at that point. There was nothing he could do. I cried …… I have to hand it to him that he gave my money back and informed me that I was a perfect candidate for a spinal fusion.

Got back home and scheduled an appt with my Orthopedic doctor for 3 weeks later. Wouldn’t you know it, when I finally met him after 8 months of non-stop pain, my back was feeling good again. He suggested that I try to live with the pain since it was feeling better. Wasn’t sure what to do … A month later and I was right back to the pain I had for 8 months and completely depressed and discouraged.

My bother-in-law at that point introduced me to the man that changed my life. He had gone to a neurosurgeon in the Harrisburg PA area by the name of Dr. Beutler and was very impressed. I knew things were different as soon I met Dr. Beutler. Instead of having to brief him on my medical history, Dr Beutler came completely up-to-date with my history. He actually had different MRI films that I had taken over the years. I could see on the recent film the damage to the bone / discs that had occurred. I told him I was sick of living with pain and felt like an old man. He asked me why I wanted to live with pain. I think my jaw dropped. That’s the only option I’ve ever heard from the Dr. that took the few minutes to study my charts. Dr. Beutler reviewed with me the procedure he recommend for my condition. ALIF with cages and using something called BMP. We reviewed the risks and down-time associated with the procedure. But also the advantages I had of being any otherwise healthy person. We soon had the date set for the procedure.

I’m going to make long story short ( I know, too late ..) and say I was out of the hospital in 3 days. All of the pain in my back and leg were immediately gone when I opened my eyes. I was completely off pain meds after 2 days. I’m not sure if that’s normal but that’s the way it was for me. Dr. Beutler told me that one of the best things I could do during recovery was walk about every 30 min or so. I actually used my stove timer for the next 10 weeks and had it set to 30 minutes. The first few weeks, I used a walker but was quickly able to use a cane. I did that walk religiously during the time I was at home. I was back to work after 10 weeks (I’m lucky and have a desk job). At the 3 month mark, I went for another MRI. Dr. Beutler showed me the before and after MRI of my discs. I could clearly see the new space between my discs and the cages installed. I had gained an inch in height J . Better yet, the doctor explained that the white area in the cage was new bone. I was completely fused at 3 months. He asked if I cared if he used me as a best case example. I know I had a tear in my eye. I’m sure that not all fusions go as well as mine did, but they do happen.

Its now about 7 months post-op and it seems like my back pain is just a memory. I have no pain at this point. I know there is a chance that some of the discs around the fusion area could have a problem in the future. I’m just happy to have as much pain free time as possible. I thank god that Dr. Beutler came into my life and made me young again, that’s how I feel. I hope this success story gives some hope to the people going through the pain that I did.

[Hooch]

Congratulations. You must be stoked.

Thank you for posting.

[Cindylou]

Wow. What a great story. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for sharing it. You have no idea how encouraging and helpful your post will be. God bless you, (I think he already has...) Cindylou

[KBear]

I am so happy to hear you are pain free! That is awesome after suffering for so long. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[archer10]

Thank you for the kind replies. I hope a positive story helps in some way. Here's a few things I think I overlooked in my story (it was pretty late when I wrote it). First thing is the negative reaction I had from family and friends to my decision to have fusion surgery. It seems like many people have a spouse / mother / friend who has had a bad experience with surgery. My brother asked me if I was sure I was doing the right thing, and if I had thought it through. A few days before surgery, a co-worker told me a horror story about his mother and told me that I would have 'No stop pain the rest of my life.' I know I was a nervous basket case the day before / day of surgery. You just have to have trust in your doctor and prey for the best. One thing that helped during recovery was the fact I borrowered a lift chair from my in-laws. I was uncomfortable sleeping in my bed and was able to fully recline in the chair. It really helps to be comfortable during recovery. I wish you all the best and hope you all find the relief that I did.

[Justin]

Archer,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

Thank you for sharing your success story with the SPS Members and the thousands of visitors that frequent these Forums daily. Your posting will touch many lives--this is the essence of the SPS--to give back to those Spine Patients that are facing similar issues that we once (are still?) faced (facing).

Be well.