[Dynamic Stabilization] Coflex Surgery Update

[Gilbert P]

Hey All

I am still here
seven weeks post op.
I am waiting for my X Rays results and will post a full detail of my surgery and outcome so far

Gil

[ajj1001]

when are they due?

[Catherine]

Hey Gil!

I've been wondering how you were doing. Haven't seen you on here, figured you were out hiking the Tetons!! I'm looking forward to reading your update and I surely hope you're doing well.

Catherine

[Gilbert P]

Hello All

I have been gone for a while but have been checking post daily.
Here is the coflex surgery outcome.


My surgery was to have decompression, Coflex – F implants and Staxx xd spacers at L4-L5 and L5-S1.


The actual surgery is bilateral hemi laminotomies, medial facetomies and foraminotomies with redo microdiscectomy on the left at L5-S1; decompression of the spinal cord and nerve roots at L4-L5 and L5-S1 followed by insertion of interlaminar Coflex implant with riveting into the sacrum L4; poster lateral bilateral fusion utilizing locally harvested morcellized bone??
As you can see not exactly what I had been explained on my first visit? No staxx Xd implants?


The first words my surgeon said on his visit the day after surgery was “Your Back is Awful” is this admission of failed back surgery? Or your back is so bad this procedure will not help. Insurance approved the surgery and paid in full, Is this a money driven surgery, and procedure approved for profit?


I am eight weeks out and feeling stiff, sore, seem to be going downhill? Cannot sit very long, Standing is pain full, Get crooked and P.T. is working on this with lots of confusion. My left leg behind the knee is feeling weak, also numb left heel that comes and goes with rest.
No longer on pain meds some acetaminophen with little help.


Trying to get back on my feet, three short walks every day, some core work, some stretching.


On the positive side I can do toe raises on the left side, drop foot on right side is better, early morning stiffness (arthritis) is much better. There is some improvement I was hoping for more at this time?


My X-Rays review:

Dr. Pettine did look at your x-rays and

the implants look in great placement. Why you are "going downhill" I don't
know. It does seem odd. We can try a short course of steroids to see if
that decreases the inflammation enough to provide you relief. If the
steroids give you relief, we can also have you come down for an epidural
steroid injection. Let me know what you would like to try. Hang in there.
I have done all of this prior to surgery and here we go again?
Over all I feel that things should improve over time and only time will tell.


Gil

[Pbchoclovr]

Hi Gil,

Glad to hear from you. I was wondering how you were doing, given we had surgery on the same day. Sorry to hear you're having so much post surgery pain. I hope the PT will help. I'm scheduled to start my PT this week. As everyone keeps reminding me when I think I should be farther along... it's a slow steady process.... but you know this. I hope things begin to improve for you soon!

Linda

[ajj1001]

Early days, if it was 4 - 6 months post surgery then it would be an idea to be concerned. Hang in there, sounds like a plateau in your recovery. Foot drop improving is a good sign.

[trkdoc714]

Gil,

Keep your chin up. Both of us had Discectomies and were back up on our feet within days. This type of surgery takes longer.

You're about at the time I was when I started feeling a bit better day over day. Take it slow and easy, it's not a race.

Hang in there, you're going to make it.

Bob

[Catherine]

Hi Gil,

I'm so sorry to hear that your having problems, but it does seem really early from everything I read. I'm sure things will start to improve, it is just 8 weeks, and you had many things done to your body that I'm sure it didn't like. Hang in there.

May I ask who you spoke with that gave you the review of your x-rays and recommended injections? Was it Arends by any chance?

Catherine

[KanRunMo]

Gil,
From all accounts of everyone on SPS it is still very early in your recovery. Take whatever you need to get back on your feet, including steroid shots. I'm cheering for you. PT has done wonders for many people but it also takes time. I saw my friend after she broke her pelvis in several places and it looked like the end for her. Her pain was terrible. I saw her recently after she had PT and she was pain free and walking just fine.

[Gilbert P]

Thanks

You all have given me HOPE!

I am going to try the steroids ????

Catherin it was Gina

Life is short get busy living

Gil