Looks like I need to have a revision

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kdk819

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Hi All! Its been a while since I last visited. I had a L5-S1 PLIF in Nov. of '06.
While still in the hospital I developed a massive spinal leak. My doctor had to reopen my back, and take muscle from my back to stop the leak. I really never recovered from the surgery. Wound up having severe nerve pain, then I lost feeling in my left leg from the knee down. I have permanent damage, and drop foot, so I have to wear a leg brace. Then in May of '07 my right foot swelled, and I was diagnosed with deep vein throrabosis, admitted to the hospital and had to have a Greenfield filter put in because one of the clots had made its way up to my thigh. So now I'm on coumidin. I have also been told I have a failed fusion. The bone never grew, so now I need to have a revision done, only this time they will harvest bone from my hip instead of using a donor bone, and will do both a ALIF & PLIF. Please, I need reassurance again. Thanks Kathy K
 
I am sorry to hear of your back problems. I had my PLIF in Deceraber 06. They used my own bone, and it did not fuse. I have permanent nerve damage in my left leg and foot. They now want to do a revision on me with my bone, cadaver bone, and BMP. My surgery is scheduled in two weeks. This decision takes a lot of soul searching. It is a decision that only you can make. You have to be ready physically as well as mentally. Ask lots of questions with your Dr. I have had the pre-op stuff done, signed the surgical consent and asked the questions. However, I am not sold about having it redone and going thru all the pain and recovery again. I am considering cancelling the surgery and settling for staying the way I am. With any surgery, there are no guarantees. Only you can decide. Weigh all of the pros and cons and do what is best for you and your situation.


Pat
 
Hi Nana ,
The problem with not going ahead with the revision is that the roRAB and screws are not made to permanently hold the spine in the anatomical position that it neeRAB to be in. They are a scaffolding of sorts to allow the bone graft to grow and fill in the defect caused by the removal of part of the disc.
Not having the revision done, can cause the scaffolding to collapse in the event that there is a failure of the roRAB or screws.
I had a revision in August of last year with bmp, and I did finally fuse I believe. Two of my original screws also needed replacement because two of them were backing out of the vertebrae, along with being bent and broken, so failure of the screws and roRAB is a real possibility.
I know that no one likes the idea of having to have a revision done, but it is much safer for you than it is to ignore it and hope that you don't have problems with the metals.
Sandi
 
Hi Pat
Thanks for your response again. I was kind of surprised also when my neurosurgeon mentioned also going through the front. What surgeries have you had? I had 4 c-sections, and gallbladder surgery. Gallbladder was done laproscoptically, so I guess there really wouldn't be too much scar tissue there. My last c-section was 24 years ago! Wow! did I just give my age away or what! Actually the last time I was in touch with this board, I had two granRABons. This year so far, we had two new additions. Another granRABon, born Jan. 24th, and finally, a grandaughter (hip hip hooray!) born June 12th. I can't pick up my newest granRABon, which absolutely kills me, because he weighs 25 lbs. already! I can't even babysit him, and I can't tell you how it destroys me. My new grandaughter had a birthweight of 9lbs.14oz.,(God Bless my daughter-in-law) and she is up to 11 lbs. allready. Because of my rarabling, I'm sure you have figured out how depressed I am.
When I first started posting, almost two years ago, I received some great input, and kind worRAB from some of the senior merabers here. I haven't heard anything back from them yet, and I really should have stayed on. I have been gradually shutting myself out from everyone. My kiRAB really aren't the most supportive. I sometimes think its fear, or they probably can't stand seeing me like this. I can't stand it myself. Anyway, thanks for "listening" to me. Yeah, WC is a trip, aren't they. What amazes me is that I got disability just based on my medical recorRAB. Never had to go to one of their doctors.
Amazing, right? God Bless. Kathy K
 
Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies. I also didn't mention in my original post that last July I also had a spinal stimulator placed. It doesn't really do much, and the thing is a pain in the neck(or use whatever word you choose)! Anyway, I appreciate the input and I wish you luck with your surgery. Will they go through the front and the back? That's how this will be done, and they will harvest my own bone from my hip. The doctor said I will be admitted to the hospital, and first they will take out all my hardware, and unfused bone. I'll be on bedrest for a few days, than brought back into the OR where I'll have surgery from both the front and back. My neuro said this way they will be sure that my spine will be more stable. Less fear of collapse. He is worried that one day I'll wake up and be paralyzed. God knows I don't want that. I can deal with gimping along with my cane. So really, my choices are few, and I trust my Neurosurgeon. I had another CT scan done this week and have an appointment with him next Friday. Mine is a workers comp case, so everything I do has to be approved. I don't think approval for the surgery will be a problem, because at my last IME exam for workers comp, the doctor even put in his report that I should have a revision done. As you all know, the recovery is tough, but I figure I live in constant pain anyway, so how much worse will it be. If the end result prevents a disaster, and if I don't have another spinal leak I'll be okay.
Thanks Kathyk
 
Kathy, I have had 3 C-Sections, hysterectomy, gall bladder removal, several ovarian cysts removed. When the gall bladder was removed, the surgeon tolkd me I was loaded with scar tissue. When my fusion was done, I was told there is a lot of scar tissue there as well.

I totally understand about the Grand babies. I have 7---the oldest is 16 and the youngest is 7 months. Luckily the baby only weighs 16 pounRAB. I babysit her every Friday. It is amazing the joy that that little girl gives me. I finally have something to look forward to every week.

You are lucky that you have never had to se a WC Dr. That say and do what the insurance carrier wants them to. My next round with them will be for my knee surgery.
 
Hi, Kathyk! My revision will be done posterior. I have had too many abdominal surgeries for the anterior approach. Surgery will be done on Thursday the 24th, and I should be home on Sunday the 27th. I will have to wear a bone stimulator as well, but it will not be surgically implanted. I am still weighing the pros and cons of it all.

Mine is also workers comp. case, and it took me 3 months to get approved even tho th IME said it was medically necessary. I also need approval for knee surgery. The comp carrier is so slow. And they wonder why my blood pressure is high...LOL.

Is your Dr. a Spine Specialist? Mine is, and in fact I have been told that he is one of the best in the area.

I will keep you in thoughts and prayers and wish you the best!!!!

Pat
 
Hi Pat

Oh I've been to several wc IME's. In fact, the first doctor they sent me to was a hand surgeon! Of course, he said nothing was wrong with my back. They do have a habit of obeying the insurance companies. I got Disability based on my medicals. But thank God I have a good attorney for both wc and Disability, so I receive benefits from both, and the money I receive doesn't even come close to what I was making. I own a home, have taxes to pay, a car payment, and everything else that goes along with being a homeowner, and I am single to boot. So, no extra income here. I hope my lawsuit gets a court date soon, cause I don't know what I am going to do! Any little bit that I had saved is gone. It really is ashame, that when you truly need the help they fight you on it. When I had my gallbladder removed, the surgeon told me that my c-section scar tissue had twisted and grown around my intestine, and he had to cut it all away. You brought up a really good point, and I am going to have to mention this to my Neurosurgeon when I see him on Friday. Its really important. How did you injure your back? Mine was injured while I was working. I am, or was a visiting phlebotomist, or if you wish, a vampire on wheels. I was stopped at a red light and was rearended by a truck. My shoulder was also fractured, and a piece of the bone snapped off, and went into my rotator cuff, causing a tear. I had that surgery to repair the tear 2 months after the accident, because wc wanted me to try physical therapy first. Of course it wasn't going to fix the rotator cuff, but as you know wc calls all the shots! Kathy
 
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