Anyone without cusion between disc? L5-S1

  • Thread starter Thread starter KAREN4ALLOFUS
  • Start date Start date
K

KAREN4ALLOFUS

Guest
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. Can they fuse the ones that blew out or are they trying to have you just deal through the pain? It seems that is what is inevitable for me as well, hold off on fusion as long as I can, which is what I am hoping for. I have been dealing with the pain for over four months now. I know that it can only get worse though. Time only allows the doctors more ability to improve technique I feel. Are pain meRAB working or are they trying other ways to help you deal? Karen
 
Does anyone have bone rubbing on bone only? I herniated the same disc twice.He said the tendon is condensed and pushing on my nerves. I was hoping to find out what possible treatments there are instead of fusion. Please help with any info. I have read some treatments have made conditions worse and am scared the doc may reccommend one of these, so I would like to be knowledgable beforehand. Any info would be appreciated.
 
I would suggest you get in to see a physical therapist or a physiatrist to discuss the proper exercises and stretches you should be doing. There are probably some limitations as to what you should and should not do...and seeing a trained professional is the best way to approach this, so that you don't make the situation worse.
 
Karen, I have had 3 surgeries since May 2006 to fix the other levels.

May 2006 - Laminectomy L5/s1 Bone Spurs/Spinal Stenosis
Feb 2007 - Fusion w/ Hardware L5/S1
Apr 2007 - Diagnosed with Herninated Disc L4:jester:
Nov 2007 - Removal Hardware Right Side
BMP added to L5/S1
Laminectomy L3, L4, L5

Unfortunately, I am now in chronic pain and on meRAB 24/7. They are saying there is nothing else they can do at this point.

I am sharing this story not to scare you but to let you know that you may go years without problems after a fusion but keep it in the back of your mind that you can still have problems years down the road. I went over 20 years with no problems then bam - it was a train wreck.

Good luck.
 
Hi I have trouble with my L5S1 ,narrowing of disc,positive discogram.some facets rubbing together.I was told by one doctor a fusion,another doctor tells me I don't need one just some bone removed from the nerves.very confusing.I too wish no fusion,I was advised its a dangerous approach and never cures the back from pain.And other levels soon collapse in time.But I'm under comp for injury and makes it hard to get treatment
 
Yes, I too have no disc material left at L5/S1...in addition to grade 2 spondylolisthesis and severe bilateral foraminal stenosis. I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of help, since I chose the "no surgery" route too. About the only thing that helps keep my pain at a tolerable level is daily exercise, core strengthening, and extensive stretching. Despite my back issues, I'm extremely active - I guess I'm fortunate to be able to workout as much as I do. Perhaps I have a high tolerance for pain and have just gotten used to it...not sure. I also use an inversion table daily, which I feel has helped reduce the sciatic pain in my right leg considerably.

Linda
 
Diet Dr. Pepper, I am so sorry to hear that you have constant pain. Have they tried those nerve blocks or anything like that? I am going to pm in about a week from now. I am wondering if they will want to do anything like that for me. I hope not. I don't think very kindly to shoving a needle into your spine. SounRAB too bad for me. I guess after awhile of dealing with the pain, our attitude changes. We'll see. I'm on percs and those are doing well for me, although I won't take them when I have to drive. Wish you all the best.
 
yeah, I have to go to see a pyhsiatrist on the 16th. I just thought that it was kinda strange that I would be told to do crunches right after I told him that any type of pelvic motion hurts. Is natural fusion a good thing though?
 
yes, I agree that all of this is very confusing. My doctor told me that fusion would be a last resort. I am afraid of getting one of those nerve blocks and stuff like that. I am afraid of getting rushed back to work, mine is comp as well.. I don't want to get a treatment like a band-aid and then end up hurting myself worse.
 
Hi

Well my diagnosis of my back condition has come down to a 3 level fusion or live with the pain!!

I asked my consultant and surgeon what will happen if i dont go ahead with the fusion and they said as the discs are degenerating eventually it will be bone on bone and become a natural fusion!

They carnt give me any advise on how long it will take or if i will be left in more pain than i am now(if thats possible).

Anyway i have opted to try and live with the pain. If it doesnt work out then surgery is my last resort.

Best wishes
 
Karen, I was born without any disc between s1/s2 - they call it a transitional vertebrae. Bone was on bone and everytime it moved it was chipping off bone and the bone was splintering in the spinal column. NICE. Growing up I was in alot of pain and M&D said, you are okay. Finally one day, my legs gave out on me and I had surgery within 2 days. At age 17, I had a fusion without hardware and was fine for over 20 years until the two levels blew out above it.
 
Hi everyone! I went to the IME yesterday. It seemed like it went well. He agreed with the drs. and said that I have a legitimate claim. He said that the choice for pain management was a good desicion and that I was being reasonable in that I don't want to rush into surgury. He said though that I should start to do crunches to strengthen my core. I'm not sure about this, because any bending or tilting of my hips results in pain. I do have bone on bone. Is it a good thing for the discs to fuse by themselves. And wouldn't constant forcing movement on those discs (resulting in pain) be a bad thing?
 
Karen,
I just had surgery on my L5/S1 disc and I have been bone on bone for quite some time. My surgeon told me that "yes, I could wait and eventually they would fuse themselves but that could take up to 50 years and he said he didn't think I could put up with the pain that long". Actually I wouldn't live that long but the pain had gotten so bad and my limitations were becoming more and more each day so I had the fusion.

Linda
 
Karen, so sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have been dealing with a sick child that has pnemonia. :( Anyhow, I have had the nerve blocks for diagnosis purposes - to confirm problem levels. To be honest, I had a bad experience with a nerve block. I believe they have their place in diagnosising but we all have to remeraber that epidurals and blocks can have risks/complications like anything else.


Good luck and please keep us informed. :angel:
 
Back
Top