Failed Surgery!

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bogeyfree 57

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The doctor's office called this afternoon and told me to stop by and pick up my papers. She said there is a letter in there for me but she wouldn't say if the doctor will see me or not. I would say that since I was told to pick up my pictures and exams that he will not see me. Even though he has operated on my back twice in the past. He's also done 5 other surgeries on me in the past. I don't know what I will do now.
I will post tomorrow after I pick up my papers.
 
Janiee, I have received all my tests on a disk. I did have my mri with contrast dye.I have requested my results to be sent to my home address.I will share what my dr. wrote as soon as I get them.
Sorry to hear about your pain. I hope you get some relief from pain management. I never had good experiences with PM. Take care and I will keep in touch.
 
I had a microdisectomy done earlier this year and I'm not any better than I was before surgery.The nuerosurgeon said this type of surgery helps 90% of patients. I guess I fell into the 10 % category.I had a mri and mylegram done in may that showed post-op change that were normal. My right leg was so heavy when I walked. My back at the incision spot started burning and I couldn't get ant relief.The doctor said I had a nerve that just was irritated. It would calm down. It took 3 weeks and then I felt better. For 1 month. Then it started back up again. This time it has been 6 weeks and I'm now taking predisnone sterioRAB. Without them I could not work.Talked with doctor and he ordered the mri,cat-scans, and mylegram again. The results were the same as in may.When I did get to talk with him he told me that I might never get better. Said I need to think about disability. I cannot believe that I am disabled. He just sounRAB like he doesn't want to do anything else for my back.
I'm going to get another opinion from a different doctor in another town.
My orthapaedic doctor in my hometown had told me before I had surgery that a fusion is the only surgery that will help me. My nuerosurgeon said I didn't need a fusion.I don't understand how doctors differ so much.
I had a fusion in 2004 at L5-S1. Even though it was a long recovery (14 mos.) I was glad I had the surgery.I had 5 good years before L3-L4 ruptured.
It so hard to find a specialist that you can trust and who has your best interest at heart.
I'm writing this in hoping that someone can share there failed surgeries.:wave:
I really enjoy reading all posts on this board. So informative. If anyone has any questions, please ask.
Keith
 
My doctor's test results:
There are no changes compared to the May study. No indications for additional surgery. I have recommended treating his symptoms for now. Flexeril has not worked in the past and he can use skelaxin and darvocet and we will call him in a medrol dosepak as well. We will do a phone followup visit in four weeks. I told him that he may need to retire and go on social security disability. He is not able to return to work at a job which requires working on concrete for long perioRAB of time.
My procedures: Lurabar Myelogram via lurabar puncture.
Anterior extradural filling defects L3-L4 and L4-L5. No abnormal nerve root sleeve filling noted.
Procedure: Lurabar Spine, 3 Views
Stable postsurgical changes at L5-S1. No evidence of complication.
Stable moderate degenerative space narrowing L3-L4.
Stable marked narrowing L5-S1 disc interspace.
Procedure: MRI Lurabar Spine without and with Contrast
At L3-L4, expected evolution of postoperative changes within the right lateral recess with resolution of right-sided fluid collection with improvement in lateral recess stenosis. Mild epidural scar noted.
Stable operative changes of decompression with bilateral pedicle screw fusion interbody fusion at L5-S1.
Disc and facet degeneration at L4-L5 leading to mild central canal and bilateral foraminal stenosis, stable.
Procedure: CT Lurabar Spine Post-Myelogram
Stable postsurgical changes at L5-S1 without significant central stenosis. Stable bilateral bony foraminal narrowing.
L3-L4 demonstates a right hemilaminectomy. Interval disappearance of the previously noted fluid collection within the right lateral recess of L3. There is no central stenosis. There is marked bilateral foraminal narrowing related to disc bulge and spondylosis.
I don't know what all of this means. I do know that my right leg continues to be heavy and my back burns at the incision site. If anyone has any insight on the results that I posted, please post.
I am going to take these copies from my tests to my orthopedic doctor here in my home town. Hopefully he will see me. I don't know. He told me last january that I needed a fusion. I'm torn right now on what to do. I don't think I'm ready for SSD. Any insight from anyone will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Keith
 
Well as I thought, my orthopaedic doctor will not see me anymore for my back. His letter says that since I went to a nuerosurgeon for my surgery, after seeing him before surgery that he would not handle anymore care for me. It was a professional letter. I guess I see his point. Most surgeons don't want to play second fiddle to another one.
This doctor told me back in january that I needed a fusion. Then my nuerosurgeon said I did not. Now, maybe I do. I don't know. I know I can't go on with this pain in my leg. Something has to be done. If it means a fusion, then I guess I'll have it. I'm going to be talking with my nuero today or monday about pain management. If that doesn't do me any good by noveraber then if he or some other doctor can convince me that a fusion will take care of my leg pain then I will be all for it.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
 
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm so sorry your micro wasn't helpful. I'm afraid that it isn't as unusual as you've been lead to believe. You are right to seek a second opinion. You might want to get a 3rd as well. If you can find an orthopedic spine specialist, that might be your best bet as far as finding someone who will talk with you and listen. At least, that's been my experience. It does sound like your ns just isn't interested anymore, so he's the last one you want to listen to!

I've dealt with my back issues since l981. Had a laminectomy, continued pain, another laminectomy because more of the disc had herniated. After the 2nd lami, I continued to have worsening pain. After months of dealing with the ns who sounRAB just like yours, I found an ortho spine specialist. It took him all of 4 minutes to tell me I needed a fusion. Of course, he backed that up with tests. The fusion was successful and I had relief for a while before another problem reared its ugly head. Of course, there are many people who have had very successful fusions (including my husband) and never needed to see another surgeon. They aren't posting on boarRAB like this, tho cause they are out there leading full lives and aren't in need of support or info.

I hope you will stay in touch and let me know what the new doctor recommenRAB for you; and I pray that you will find relief.

Carol
 
>>>>> Hi bogey....sorry I haven't gotten back here sooner. I want to answer your question about my surgery....I've had 6 procedures on my lurabar, including 3 fused discs, a fused vertabrae, bone spur removal and 2 laminectomies,,,,,,,,,,,the lami's led to the first fusion at L5-S1.

I don't know why your dr. is blowing you off, but if I were you I would be looking for another doctor. I've always preferred orthopedic spine specialists over neuro spine specialist because I've found them to be more down to earth and willing to talk.

Your last MRI shows bilateral (both sides) foraminal stenosis. The foramen is an opening thru which a nerve passes; therefore, those openings are narrowed and could be causing your symptoms. I think your surgeon doesn't like to admit "failure" and is not showing enough concern for your condition. It's important to find another doctor before the nerve damage gets worse. Already your leg is showing signs of nerve stress and truly neeRAB to be evaluated thoroughly.

I, too, am having some weakness in my left leg which is progressively getting worse. I have a myelogram ct scan ordered for the 17th after which I will meet with my ortho and go over the results. I fully expect that he will be recommending surgery because along with the leg weakness I am having burning in my leg as well as lots of lower back pain. Having been in a similar situation before, I can almost predict that there is a large bone spur compressing a nerve. The waiting for the myelogram is really hard. I swore after my last surgery (4 years ago) that I would never have another, but I've learned not to use the word "never" when talking about spine problems. For sure, I do not want that nerve to become permanently damaged. I want to be able to walk again without my cane and pray that will come to pass.

Please continue to stay in touch and let us know what is happening with you. I wish you the very best of luck in finding a specialist who is thorough.

Carol
 
yes, basically my Dr also gave up on me. I had cervical surgery done in Deceraber and I can't lift my left arm above the level of my shoulder. I have a hard time lifting even my purse with that arm. I have tried to talk to him about it and he says I have enough strength and that I basically just need to live with it that I am fine and that the fusion looks great. I have pain down my left side of my neck and into my upper back. I was hurting one nite and called his answering service, it was after 10 at nite and he yelled at me and asked why I didn't call during the day, well I wasnt' hurting then. He then proceeed to tell me he didn't like being called that late at nite. I also started having pains in my lower back to the point that my husband had to call 911 cause I couldn't move. The same dr did mri on it and he said it wasn't that bad and I would be fine. Well here it is Sept and I have been hurting for the past week unable to move. I have an appointment with a new Dr next week that was reccomended to me by a patient of his that I trust so I am going to try again and see if I can get any relief. I hope all goes well with you. Let me know if you have any ideas that I might be able to use. Thanks and God bless
 
Carol how long since your fusion? Is your problem from a disk above your fusion?
 
The nueorosurgeon I saw today also said that he did not think I needed a fusion at this time.
 
sknc0604, get all your pictures, paper work and your doctor's report on the surgery. This doctor will want all information
I'm going to a nuerosurgeon tomorrow here in my hometown. Hope to get some answers to my pain.
Good Luck to you with your new doctor. Remeraber, you don't have to stay in pain. Be persistent until you get results.
 
you can get relief from pain management. you just have to find the right dr-but you must start now-your only going to get worse n not be able to or evan want function at all-ive had some really good dr's tell me "we really dont operate to relieve your pain but to fix the indtsbility,ect-that doesnt mean you wont still have pain-they told me aabout 30% of pts experience pain relief-so why have the surgery if you have 70% of getting relief plus making the pain worse-sure there are sucessful spinal surgeries; but its my guess it is not life long and eventually have to seek pain management-just what i believe after many ns consultations and the few who were honest with me. so, i have a great PM specialist and he helps me have a quality of life-dont listen to what others tell you,negatively about getting in PM and taking pills and that cant be good!- do this for yourself or suffer needlessly

goog luck
 
Saw my PM doctor today. He wants to do a epidural steriod injection next thursday. He thinks he can help me. He went over my mri with me and explained everything to me. Much better and he spent more time with me than any other doctor. He showed me that L3-L4 is bulging on two sides and L4-L5 is also bulging. He's convinced that L3-L4 is causing me all my problems with my leg and the middle of my back. He thinks that somewhere down the road I will have to have a 2-level fusion. Even though my nuerosurgeon did a discectomy on L3-L4 he only repaired the ruptured outside of disc. He was not to favorable on the discectomy. Called it a band-aid.
So now, I will have the ESI next thursday and then go to another spine specialist on friday, Oct. 1.I've seen 3 doctors with all giving me different opinions. I'm hoping the ESI will help. Had them earlier in the year, before my discectomy, they did not help. I guess I'm just trying to buy time.
Has anyone had so many different diagnosis? Who do you believe?
 
Well, I just got home from seeing another nuerosurgeon. He looked at my mri's,cat-scans,mylegram etc..... Said he THINKS that my problem is from scar tissue at L3-L4. He said my surgery looked good, my hardware at L5-S1 was intact and I had only moderate stenosis. He also told me that if I ever need another fusion that I would need to fuse both L3-L4, L4-L5. L4-L5 is bulging now. He does not think that there is anything I can do about the scar tissue.
I walked 2 to 3 miles a day following surgery. Did everything I was told to do to help with avoiding scar tissue.
He said I would have to get off of sterioRAB. Can't stay on them for a long time without consequenses.
So now, I am going to PM on friday and see what that doctor can do for me. SSD is the last resort. I hope I don't have to go that route right now.
In two weeks I'm going to a spine specialist and see what he says. I will keep in touch.
 
While on vacation this week, my wife and I went out for a walk and I could only walk about 50 yRAB. My right leg is so heavy that I had to stop before I could turn around and walk back.
I was a very active athlete. Used to run, play basketball, golf. Now I can't do hardly anything.
I knew my nuerosurgeon just wanted to stop seeing me. He didn't want to admit that his surgery didn't work for me.
I'm hoping to see my orthopaedic doctor as soon as we get back home.
Has anyone else had a surgeon just throw there hanRAB up and actually quit on a patient? I do feel all alone with this outcome from this past surgery. No one understanRAB that hasn't had this or gone through this. It's hard to explain to family when the results from tests are not clearly showing why I am in so much pain and can not do anything that requires walking or standing for any length of time.
 
Yes, keith, my highly esteemed spinal surgeon from one of the best hospitals in the world threw in the towel when my surgery was a total failure. He wanted nothing to do with me. Because the x-ray of my back told him that I was fused, that was simply enough for him. He refused to order an MRI or dig any further to find out why I was in MUCH more pain now, than before surgery. He has never wanted to see me again. Now I live in the world of Pain Management. One more thing, about all those tests you had, did you ever see the results of these tests for yourself? Do you have copies of them? You should. When you do get them, if you like, you can share them with us. There are some really knowledgable folk on here, and maybe they could help you interpret some of your results. Also, did you get the contrast dye with your MRI? Contrast dye is better than no dye UNLESS you are ALLERGIC to the contrast dye!!!! If you are allergic to the contrast dye, tell your doctor, PCP, x-ray tech's, and any other medical personnel. Sorry this was so long:wave: but that's it for now~~janiee
 
Keep on posting and staying in the loop. I'm right behind you. 6'4" & 180, athletic, just turned 40. Had a lami /discectomy just like you in June. I am on a two week prednisone run. Doc thinks "this will finally do it" but, one week into the steroid run, I still have the sciatic, jut like I did when I woke up post-op last June.
If no improvement in two weeks, we redo MRI with contrast. I too have already met my deductible for the year. Grrrrrrr....
 
thanks for replying to my post. I was in PM earlier this year. My pain was worse with the ESIs. My doctor told me to stop taking them. I don't know why they would help me now if they didn't help me then. If my orthopaedic tells me I need a fusion I will get another opinion before I go that route. If 30% is the probability of pain relief with a fusion, I would not have it.
Thanks Carol for getting back with me. I don't know what they can do for the foraminal narrowing but I am going to see someone else and see what can be done. I don't like to think about another fusion but I don't think I am ready for SSD. If PM would help I would jump at it. Finding someone to trust and not out to make money off your insurance can be hard. My job is not hard but to walk on concrete is. I have to do something soon. I've already had one surgery this year and I have paid nearly $700 of the $1100 that I have to pay total for 1 year out of pocket expense. If I have to have another surgery, I need to have it by the end of the year. Or I will have to start all over with deductibles and out of pocket expenses.
Hope you find out on your myelogram what is causing your leg pain and back pain. Keep me informed. Best of luck.
Keith
 
Rescuegreen3, go to the pain management board and read my post on I have 3 choices.Read the post from Shoreline. It will open your eyes.
I go tomorrow for my 1st ESI. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
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