Already had a double fusion now need a laminectomy

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jasonh23

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I have had 2 surgeries in the past 14 years and was told I now need another one.

First two Surgeries:
1) L5-S1 laminectomy and diskectomy - 8/94
2) L4-L5 & L5-S1 double lurabar fusion - 8/01

I have been experience more back pain in slightly different areas in both legs and feet, sitting is becoming increasingly difficult. I had an MRI and was told that I have a bulge on both sides of my nerve canal at the L3-L4 region, right above my double fusion. It was ok for a while and is now getting worse. The doctor recommended another laminectomy. I am nervous about going in again but know I am delaying the inevitable. I am concerned that I will disrupt the integrity of my spine and cause even more problems on the other disks.

Has anyone had a fusion surgery and then had another surgery on the disks above or below the original fusion? Was it helpful? Was it something that caused more issue? Thoughts?
 
Jacon,
2 years ago I had L-4, L-5 S-1 SIJ fusions with instrumentations; lami and decompression as well.
A year later I had L-3 L-4 fusion with hardware again. I was told after my last surgery that my L-2 level is 50/50; this means it a matter of time before it neeRAB to be fused.
I read somewhere that first fusion surgery opens the door for more surgeries and more complications. My surgeon explained to me that more surgeries we have weaker our spine becomes; that is why upper and lower levels give up.

So sorry you are going through this...
Best of luck to you!
 
Yes, I had a fusion in 1982 and then in 2006 I had the next level up had a laminectomy. Then the laminectomy made that level unstable so they ended up fusing it 7 months later.

It does not always happen but it is normal to have the domino affect once you have spine surgery. The level below the surgical site or the level below has problems. One never knows how long this process will take - I had over 20 years between my first and second surgery which is awesome.

My biggest advice is to get a 2nd opinion - no matter how much faith you have in your surgeon. Just double check and make sure this is the best decision for you.

Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
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