Failed Spinal Fusion

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sapphyreskyy

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Thanks everyone,

Emily, Yes I have confidence in this Surgeon, he works on the Cincinnati ReRAB and the Bangals to mention a few, so I imagine if they trust him I should, they could see anyone they wanted. I am quiting smoking, I tried the cold turkey method and that didnt work at all, but I have cut my smoking by more than half and hope to be smoke free very soon. I am also watching my diet carefully and making sure I get plenty of calcium as well as extra protein to try and help promote bone growth.

rainiermec1, It's good to hear from someone that has gone through it, it scares the crap out of me, but I see your point. If I could go back to that first one I would have done a lot different, I learned as I went. I think the thing that is disconcerning is that they really cant pinpoint why I still hurt. It's very possible it is just the hardware rubbing against the nerves and irritating them. I think the majority of my pain stems from my SI Joint in my opinion, it always hurts, but I dont know if that explains my leg pain. I just want it to stop, Im way too young to be disabled this way, I'm just so tired of hurting. So far I have had 2 MRI's, countless Xrays, and a CT Myelograph with the dye, so I dont know what else they can test; I'm just so dang frustrated right now.

Thanks Again
~Kimmy
 
Hey Everyone, I'm new here but desperate for some opinions. I am a relatively healthy 38 y.o. woman, I had 360 Spinal Fusion of L-3 - L-5 with cage implants in July of 2008, they also freed up the nerves to my legs. I continue to have back pain, hip and leg pain with tingling and nurabness in my right foot. As of April 2009 I only have 15% bone growth and my surgeon says there is only a small chance of there being any more. He talked to me about Revision Surgery and explained that it would be very involved, they would go through the front and remove my cages and replace them, as well as doing a bone graph, which they didnt do the first time. My question is this: I am still in quite a bit of pain but is it worth trying the revision surgery? Has anyone else had any experience with this procedure? I've also read that there can be loosening of the instrumentation if there isnt a complete fusion....I'm at a loss as to what to do, I'm just so tired of being in pain.

Thanks in advance
 
Hi, and welcome to the board! :wave:

You might want to get several opinions, although some doctors are reluctant to take you on once you've had this surgery. It's a loyalty thing between doctors.

Just my two cents worth, but if you had decided on the surgery last year and haven't improved, the same reasons for surgery must still be there. How much pain can you bear? I would definitely ask about a bone growth stimulator, too. And if you smoke, you need need need to give it up while you're trying to fuse. If it were me, I'd probably go for it.

I'm sorry you're still in so much pain. I wish you nothing but the best!

Emily
 
I am very sorry, I haven't read the whole thread as I am in a little rush.

Spine fusion is something that is in my interest, so my direct question is:
Is spine fusion reversible procedure?

Thanks in advance.
 
Keano16 Spinal fusion is done to eliminate the motion of your vertebrae at the spine, in hopes of reducing the pain caused by the movement of the unstable discs. It can be done bu one of two ways, metal screws roRAB and plates or like in my case the removal of the degenerative discs and replacing them with titanium interbody cages as well as a few well placed screws. In a complete fusion the spine would regrow bone surrounding and supporting the cages. Mine has failed to grow, therefore my cages can loosen and rub on the nerves in my back causing my continued pain. There is a very good chance that they are going to have to go back in to mine and replace my cages and do a bone graph from my hip which would cause a biological response causing the bone to grow, which in turn would stabilize the cage inplants. I am by far not an expert, but I dont believe it can be reversed, in my case it definitely couldnt be with the removal of the bad discs. It also will limit mobility to an extent with that area no longer able to bed, discs being replaced basically with one long bone in the end.... I hope that helps some....
 
Hi Emily,

Thanks for responding. I have a high pain threshold, my Dr told me with the way the nerves to my legs were entrapped I shouldnt have been able to bear walking and yet I was, I had been dealing with the back pain for over 10 years.

I have had some improvement since the surgery. My legs no longer buckle on me, and although my back hurts it is slightly better. The hip pain however is becoming unbearable. I feel like I am being shocked periodically in my right leg and above my fusion in my back and it kills me to sit for more than a few minutes at a time. My Physical Therapist said that she thought I had a positive right anteroid innominate rotation and I about jumped off the table when she pressed on my SI joint. My Dr looked at me like I had 3 heaRAB when I told him about it and I the patient had to tell him it meant my pelvis was tilted. He didnt seem concerned with that, but I of course wonder.

I did use a Bone Growth Stimulator for the first 6 mos. and my Dr told me to begin using it again. I do smoke however and have decided to quit in hopes of improving my chances.

Thanks again for your input *hugs*

~Kimmy
 
Yikes, that would shake my confidence a bit, having to explain to the doctor what those terms meant! Do you feel good about him, though?

Yeah, do stop smoking if you in any way can. I know it's hard, one of the hardest addictions to stop, but you have a really good motivation! It'll be sooooo worth it!

Stay in touch!
Emily :wave:
 
After a bone scan and two CT Myleogram The have found two fractures. No explanation other than during my revision surgery. I will now have to have a TLIF an ALIF and removal of the broken bone. 6 hours, two surgeons and I am absolutely horrified of going through it again. I have followed all of the rules, two hardware failures and simply poor work by on my last revision. He told me for 6 months everything was fine via plain films. I was in terrible pain. He sent me to a pain management doctor and I have been on Oxy and the normal accompanying drugs since. (16 Months) Never believe you are fused until you have a bone scan because they simply do not know otherwise. My new surgeon, Jeffery Garr has been great. I have had my life consumed by one level L4 L5, and a circus from the medical community. I am not on any public or work programs, thank god.
:mad:
 
I have had 2 revisions and they were not nearly as bad as the original surgery for me. I guess a lot of it is you know what to expect and prepare better. I would force quite a bit of testing to try to definitively find where your pain is coming from. As I stated in my post today, I had a fracture they had overlooked.

Good luck, hang in there!
 
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