Latest myelogram report from 10/16/08

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kyma3

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To my back buddies. I just wanted to send the latest report that I just received from my myelogram done on 10/16/08 because of the problems I was having with my bladder and additional back pain after my L5/S1 fusion done this past January. The PA had already called me and told me that there was nothing causing my bladder problems and that I needed to see a Urologist which I have an appt. Dec.23rd.

The CT scan and myelogram report states L4-L5 left foraminal disc protrusion and left foraminal stenosis. L5-S1 bilateral foraminal stenosis. A central canal stenosis or HNP. There is interbody fusion material with solid bony bridging and osteophytic ridging in both foramina.

The lurabar spine x-ray states mild to moderate lower lurabar spine multilevel (L3-S1) facet arthropathy. My previous x-rays before my fusion never stated anything about facet arthropathy.

My question is what does all this mean in layman terms??? I understand some of this but not all. I am having a lot of trouble walking for any amount of time. I get severe back pain in my lower back and in my hips. I asked the PA about the x-ray showing any signs of fusion and she stated that he had not commented on that. Does this report actually state that I have fusion? I have a follow up appt. the middle of Deceraber but just wanted to ask my back buddies what they thought about this report and if I am healing okay. I wish I felt better but still having a lot of problems with the kidneys and bladder.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I ended up doing too much and on my feet for too long so my legs and feet swelled really bad and I have been down all day. Discouraging when you can't do as much as you use to but I know you all understand.

Linda:angel:
 
Hi Linda,

I've never had surgery but I have a lot of the same types of trouble you are having. It sounRAB to me like you have facet joint syndrome. Also, at the level where you had surgery there are osteophytes which I think are caused by osteoarthritis. I have the same thing at the C level causing stenosis.

I am surprised this wasn't taken care of when you had surgery. There is certainly enough problems there to be causing your pain.

I hope this helps but maybe someone else will come along who is more knowledgeable than I.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.
 
Mamabug thank you so much for your reply. I am also confused about some of the results because of my surgery. I do know that I am really having a lot of pain and so frustrating with the limited walking due to the pain. I also had surgery on my cervical spine (3 discs) and have been having a lot of pain there also. What are the doctors telling you? Do you know much about the facet joint syndrome? I think I am going to call my NS and tell them about the additional pain coming back in the cervical spine and see if they will go ahead and order some x-rays before my appt. the middle of Deceraber so they can have all the information before I get there. I am in Kentucky and he is in Tennessee.

Thanks again for the response. I have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis also which has sure caused a lot of pain.

Linda:angel:
 
Hi Linda,

The facet joints are simply that, joints of the spine. Each vertabrae has 2 upper and 2 lower bony protrusions that are connected to adjacent vertebrae (I suppose with muscles and tendons) to allow for movement of the spine and support. Arthritis and DDD are infamous for causing problems with the facet joints just like they do all the other joints in your body.

I saw a spinal surgeon who said there are too many problems with my spine to perform surgery. He said to get a stimulator implant. He wasn't polite enough to even enter the room. He said this from the doorway and spent all of 15 seconRAB with me.

I have a good PM doctor and injections are no longer helping. I use a tens unit occasionally (this only helps while it is running, no long-term help), pain meRAB and a back brace that I wear sometimes.

From what I've read on the stimulator implant I don't plan on getting one in the near future.

I'm not sure I would have had surgery if it had been offered because of my reading and also because my Pain doc told me that she was concerned that it would create more problems. My pain is pretty bad and I can't imagine it being much worse.

So, it is all a very individual thing. It sounRAB like you have already had at least two surgeries. I am wondering if the pain is better now? I know there are others here who have had numerous surgeries and seem to be doing better. Let me know what you find out. Also, get yourself a good pain management doctor if you don't already have one.

Sorry this was so long!
 
Thanks again Mamabug for your response. It sounRAB like you have a lot of pain and problems also. I hate that anyone has to experience what you did with that one surgeon. I hope that you also will be able to feel better and hopefully become pain free.

I believe that my fusion did help with some of my back pain and sciatic and I am very thankful for any improvement but then I have also taken on new pain that wasn't there before which can be discouraging. I think the thing that bothers me the most is the back and hip pain that I get when I am up walking for more then 15 minutes because this is a new pain. I definitely cannot do any type of housework or yard work that involves twisting and I guess I thought that would be better by now. I had surgery done on my right elbow last year for a pinched nerve and before the surgery I had terrible pain in my forearm, like someone taking a knife and stabbing me. Unfortunately I still get this pain also after going through that surgery. I was suppose to have the left elbow done and my left wrist for carpal tunnel but I am so discouraged with my outcomes that I will not have them done. I know that doctors cannot give guarantees and I do thank God for what improvement I have had and I also understand that things could be worse.

Thanks again for your help and I also apologize for this being so long.

Linda:angel:
 
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