Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis

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Spondygal

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Hello board!
I'm 24 years old and I was diagnosed with spondy in my L-5/S-1 this past July. The MRI showed that my nerves are being pinched on my right side and I have a herniated disc.

I have went to two different neurosurgeons in two different cities. They both agree that I need a spinal fusion. I was born missing the pars and there is no way that it can be fixed with just physical therapy and bracing. Which BTW, I have been prescribed physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 months. Also, the neurosurgeon advised that I try water aerobics, which I am now doing twice a week.

Since July, my pain has increased greatly. I now hurt on a daily basis. My right leg is getting worse. The pain shoots all the way down to my foot. It feels like needles poking me over and over. Sometimes, the pain wakes me up in my sleep. I have to take a pain pill every night before bed. I am trying to quit my job so that I can rest more. I'm a senior in college and things are so very hectic.

I'm just looking for advice/support/what to expect. I would appreciate any information that you can give me.
 
Thanks for all of the info!!!
I'm getting scared thinking about surgery.
From what I understand, my nerves are being severely pinched. They are afraid I could do serious damage if I do not get the surgery done pretty soon. The worst days are when my back and right leg are both hurting. I feel better when I don't work, but I need the money. :/ The physical therapy and water aerobics help, but I still hurt at night. We shall see how things go over the next few months.
On the bright side, I've started losing weight and my abs are definitely getting stronger.
I want to graduate next Fall, but I fear that the pain and/or the the surgery will prevent this.

Skinamarinkybin- Please keep me updated on your progress. I want to know how the recovery process goes for you.
 
Hi I have a Spondy too. It really is not fun. I have tried all kinRAB of pain drugs and I can tell you that I do a duragesic patch and a daily patch called Lidoderm. My best time of day though is kicking back on an ice pack.
Good luck!
 
I did have a fusion 16 years ago for spondylolisthesis. It went well and my only problem has been my hardware. HOWEVER, I have a very old style of hardware and if they use hardware in your fusion today it would be much better (sleeker and less bulky as mine is). I had the fusion done when I was in my mid-20's. I had mine done by an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon.
 
Hi Spondygal,
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I know the thought of surgery is very difficult. It sounRAB as though your doctors are telling you that surgery is the lesser of the evils. The best thing you can do is get all of the information you can and keep losing the weight. The other thing is to get a lot of specifics from your doctors on what you can and cannot do now so that you don't do any more damage.
 
Thank you Meadowbrook. : ) If surgery will rid me of this pain, then it will be well worth it. I want to have days without back/leg pain.
 
I have Stage 2, and have found that a heating pad helps -- 15 min on -- medium heat, with knees up ("neutral position") and neck flat. Also, don't cross your legs when sitting.
 
Spondygal:

You are correct that the nerves can be permanently damaged if the nerve impingement (pinching) is not fixed. I know spine surgery is scary but think about how you will feel a few months after when the nerve impingement is gone and your symptoms improve!
 
My L5-S1 disc herniated 2x and I had 2 surgeries to fix the herniation. Even though my disc was not herniated long, I am one of the horror stories you hear about. I am left with permanent nerve damage. I am not as young as you by any means, but I just turned 36, which is young in my doctors eyes. I live with that leg pain every day, all day. I have had over 7 surgical consults and as of right now, there is no surgery to fix my nerve damage. The only thing they have to offer is a spinal cord stimulator to try and mask the pain.

Anyway, I would try and get a third opinion from another doctor not affiliated with the other two doctors. I am not trying to rush you to surgery, but I also know the he!! of living in chronic pain every day.

JRABun
 
Well the second surgeon made it seem like I would probably have to have surgery pretty soon. He doesn't want to wait too long, but he also didn't want to just start cutting into me without a bit of therapy beforehand. I am expecting to have it possibly in Deceraber.
I won't know until I go back to see him on October 22nd. He's going to do a CT scan and determine when I will have to have surgery.
 
I'm 20 and i just had a spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis grade 3 about four months ago. I use to have nerve pain when i first found out i had it five years ago but about three years ago my nerve pain went away. I didnt really have that much pain when i had the surgery. I just couldnt stand for very long. My doctor said i should of had nerve pain and it could have came back at anytime. I went to two different doctors and they all thought it was bad enough that i needed surgery so over summer break i did it.

The doctors said it would feel like i got hit by a truck and that was about right. The first time i tried to get out of bed i passed out and i spent my time in the hospital sick to my stomach from my medicine. My aunt who also had this surgery didnt have any stomach problems though. I had to use a walker in the hospital and at home mostly in the mornings. Sleeping was hard for like the first or two month. I'm not suppose to bend or twist yet. The hardest part about the surgery was going to the bathroom! The first month is the worst and its gonna hurt.. alot. but it gets better alot quicker when your young and i dont really have any back pain now. Just nurabness in the back of my leg which doesnt hurt.

Usually doctors dont look at surgery till a grade 3. You should go see a Orthopedic doctor since he would be the one to do the surgery. When i had my nerve pain it was shooting down my leg and i couldnt walk or stand and i know thats the worst pain. I started going for walks every day, even though it hurt and would try to walk as much as i could. Eventually it just went away and then i started having back pain which i would pick over nerve pain any day! Keep doing the water aerobics maybe that will help but you wont see a difference over night, you'll have to give it time. Last thing.. with the sleeping, try not laying on your back. Before surgery i couldnt lay on my back without having pain. But if you have surgery you'll have to lay on your back. Alright sorry this got so long. If you have anymore questions just ask.
 
Hi Spondygal,

My daughter was born with spondy that was discovered when she was around 11 or 12. She was/is under the care of a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. She tried all of the normal things - physical therapy, bracing for 3 months and then more therapy. Well after canceling one surgery date, my daughter had surgery for grade II spondy. Her slip was about 33% at the time. She had leg pain and tingling in her toes at times.

After getting three opinions, I agreed to let my daughter have a two level fusion. She was 15 at the time and is now 20. She was one of the lucky ones in that she has been pain free. It was a tough decision but she has been able to live an active life again. She is over five years post op now and has had some slight discomfort from the hardware recently because she is thin.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you will be able to look forward to a pain free life.
cas
 
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