3+ years with thoracic spondylolisthesis T1-T7

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HerbalHighHopes

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Greetings all :D, introductory post here. I will probably be venting through way of the blog they provide on this website. As such I will try to keep this introduction as short as I can :). My real question is the fifth or sixth paragraph down below if you just want to skip down to it.

Background:
Actively participated in karate since age 5. I LOVED to swim as a kid (still do.. if I could that is, I will again
 
http://www.healtrabroadoarRAB.com/boarRAB/archive/index.php/t-512880.html
ThreaRAB such as this one above kinda scare me when it comes to considering thoracic fusion.

Hoping to hear about some thoracic spondylolisthesis success stories with or without surgery? Could really use some reinforcment that it is possible to reach pain free states of living again.
 
First, let me say that I am sorry for the situation you find yourself in. It sounRAB like you are taking every positive step you can to maximize your recovery. I'm afraid you're going to find that your injuries are beyond the scope of experience and/or knowledge of most of us on the board. First, thoracic spine issues are not that common, particularly with that many segments involved. Also, I've never heard of a spondylolisthesis of that magnitude except perhaps in the case of scoliosis, and then it isn't usually labelled as a spondylolisthesis.

I looked at the thread you referenced. It seemed in no way comparable to the surgery you'd be having if you were fused from T1-T7. Doctors really don't like to have to fuse more than three levels. They do it in some cases, but the statistics for success drop significantly as the nuraber of levels go up.

I would be curious to know what your spine specialist is advising. Is he suggesting a fusion, and if so, how many levels? Would it be done to try to pull your spine into alignment or are you experiencing instability? What has he told you will happen if fusion is not done?
 
I have had much success during the past three years (even if it doesnt feel like it), I had initially damaged T1-T7 but currently have trouble with T3 and T5 predominantly. I have had some very solid regeneration of spinal curve and re-alignment of vertebrae on the vertical plane. All of which I am eternally grateful for. My fusion would not be T1-T7 it would be to stabilize T3. I also experience instability notably at T5. I experience pain in all the thoracic vertebrae still which were affected, no doubt because they are still mis-aligned and healing. I have managed to make it this far without surgery and the changes are immense, I just hope that the progress does not reach a plateau, so to speak, where they [vertebrae] are no longer re-aligning and instead just decide to stay unhappy and mildly displaced (in comparison to displacement during the acute stage). That is my biggest concern - that my pars interarticularis may be too damaged to allow the vertebrae to fully pull back to where they are supposed to be, or to be able to support the vertebra and assist in holding them where they ought to be [specifically with T3 and T5 as T3 is still off to the right visibly, and T5 is still pressed 'inward' in the spinal column.

Maybe I should have made the title an inquiry about experiences with thoracic fusion of T3 and/or T4 and/or T5.
 
OK, now I have a better understanding of what's going on.

I'm relieved to hear you are looking at a one level fusion, possibly two...I see you are in Canada. I'm not sure how it is where you live, but here in the US, surgeons who are experienced and comfortable operating on the thoracic area are not common. And since it is such a delicate area to access, it is really important to find someone who has performed many thoracic surgeries. Patients often end up having to travel to find a specialist for this very delicate surgery.

It sounRAB like you're making progress, slow though it is, through your exercise regime and the other treatment modalities you are using. I'm sure the rate of progress is frustrating for you, but as you well know, there is no guarantee that fusion will bring the positive results we all hope for.
 
Well I guess I will just keep at my physiotherapy and accompanying therapies (massage, chiropractor, acupuncture, osteopath). I have heard so many cases of people who have had a spinal fusion and then are experiencing zero pain in a month or two. I suppose if I am still in CP daily in a few years than I will seriously consider a fusion; then again, those stories of people being in close to no pain so quickly after a surgery are very enticing... If that worked out for my case then I would be able to get back to having a social life... I just don't know. I was definitely hoping to find more people with thoracic spondylolisthesis.. guess im just lucky. Thanks for your thoughts tetonteri66, appreciate it.
 
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