4th Surgery Scheduled!

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DAJ819

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Hello Everyone.

I've been away from the boarRAB for a bit because I was well enough to go back to work part-time.

I had lurabar laminectomies in 2003 & 2006 and a 2-level fusion (L4/5 S1) in March 2008. Recovery has been very slow, but I thought I was doing ok. I was able to return to work in October and about 3 weeks after that, new pain symptoms started on what I considered my "good" side (smile). It started with the radiating pain alternating with nurabness and difficulty walking. I was trying to chalk this up to being back to work and/or the change in weather. My therapist enouraged me to consult my dr. if this continued.

I finally did and was put on pain medicine, and scheduled for 2 MRI's and a CT Scan.

Results came back and I was devasted. I have developed (post-operatively) a very large cystic lesion that has displaced nerves on the left side (L5/S1) and has involved two of of my pedicle screws. Because of its size and location, the cyst has to be removed and two of my screws have to be replaced. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I didn't fuse. The dr. thinks the cyst has something to do with me not fusing. Regular x-rays did not pick this up. As a matter of fact, I had x-rays a week before the MRI's and CT Scan and nothing was noted.

My question: Has anyone ever had this happen to them?

This surgery will involve removal of the cyst, replacing the two pedicle screws and adding more bone material to give me a greater chance of fusing this time.

I'm very anxious, but optimistic.

Thanks for listening.
 
Hi, I just had my 5th surgery so hugs to you! I understand how disheartening this is needing more surgery.

As far as fusion, it is common that xrays show fusion and when they get in there is no fusion or there appears to be no fusion and they get in to find out there is partial fusion. All of my tests: mylegram, ct scan and mri showed no fusion. When my surgery was done last Monday, they found I was partially fused. According to my surgeon, he feels the only way to know if your fused is to do visual check once you are inside. He added bmp and more of my bone to the fusion site.

Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
Thank you and the best of luck to you as well. I'll post again after surgery to let everyone know how it went.

Happy Holidays!
 
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