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3 replies [Last post]
March 15, 2010 - 11:56pm
RandyG
User offline. Last seen 1 year 47 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 03/15/2010
Posts: 1
Points: 2
Back Surgery Help Request

Hello All, I am a 47 year old aircraft mechanic who had surgery a couple of years ago, the L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 fused together when both disc's were still in place but buldging from Dengerative disc desease. I thought it would all be good and get off the meds. I never got off the meds and my doctor kept taking X-rays and Ct scans, Mri's and what ever else. I think they were concentrating on the area where they operated. I went to another doctor, a neurosurgeon and he discovered that the L3 had totally turned and is crushing the nerve. I had him send everything back to my original surgeon and now I am scheduled for a second fusion on the 26th. My question is if anyone has ever heard of this happening before and posible causes and outlook of living a pain free life? He is going to fuse the L3 to the current fusion, remove the lower rods and decompress the area. Please help any body, I am scared!

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March 16, 2010 - 5:52am
#1
marirlpn
marirlpn's picture
User offline. Last seen 1 week 6 days ago. Offline
Joined: 12/09/2008
Posts: 1043
Points: 2162
Hi and Welcome to SH

It is very common for a disc above a fusion to have problems. There is no guarantee with spinal fusion that you will be completely pain free. Understandable you are scared, spinal surgery is a big undertaking. I wish you the best.

Marianne

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Please click on my picture for medical/surgical history

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March 16, 2010 - 6:30am
#2
iowarobin
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Joined: 12/08/2008
Posts: 1255
Points: 2572
Randy

Hi,
I am going through the same thing that you are. I had my fusion on Dec 11,2008. I never had relief from the pain, and now am having a discogram to see if the disc above, same as yours, is the culprit. I did have some issues with the disc, prior to the original fusion, but my Dr would not fuse it at the same time for risk of failure of the whole fusion. Most Drs do not do a 3 level for that reason.
This being said, fusion does put strain on the discs above or in some cases below. So it is not un normal. Good Luck on your surgery, and try to keep a positive attitude. I hope that this is the answer to your problems. Take care, Robin

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2 level PLIF Dec 2008
Hardware Removed Sept 2009
Bone tumor in Eye Socket removed 10-26-09, They confirmed I do have a brain LOL
Fentanyl Patch 100 Mico, Oxycodone 30 MG every 4 hours breakthrough

Surgery Dec 13, 2 level fusion L2-3, L-3-4, ALIF min invasive. Nuvasive procedure..quite the deal!

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March 16, 2010 - 6:43am
#3
trishdownunder
User offline. Last seen 2 days 2 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 06/29/2008
Posts: 905
Points: 1810
Hi Randy

I hope your surgery goes and well and that eventually you will be out of pain.

Do let us know how your surgery goes and don't hesitate to post again if you need support.

Trish

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ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009 - successful
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
Disc degeneration at L3/4 and L5/S1 with right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1 with slight flattening and elevation of the right L5 nerve root.

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