My three boys have spondolythesis

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liesha333

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I am a mother of three boys who all have spondolythesis. We first found out through my youngest who was having leg pain at the age of 2. Found out when he was 4 he had a level 1 slippage at L5/S1. Found out my oldest had it when he was 12 lots of leg pain...siatica(sp?). The dr. decided to check my middle son with no symtoms and sure enough he too had it. Now, my youngest had surgery at the age of 16 (Now 18), they fused L5/S1 and put 2 screws in for support, my oldest had surgery, age 20 (now 22) L5/S1 fusion, no screws. My middle still has no real symptoms at the age of 21. My concern....both that had surgery still have lots of back pain. The surgery took away the leg pain...but did nothing for the back pain. My young men are very active, the oldest is a Sargent in the Army, full time, my youngest is doing his tiling apprentiseship. They both live daily with severe back pain, some days worse than others. You can usually tell how much rain or snow we are going to get by the amount of pain they are in. (Weather affects them huge.) I am writing because, as their mom, I see them either in severe pain or so drugged up from the meRAB they are given to tolerate the pain. They have done all the physical therapy, back bracing, surgery, pain clinics...that is possible. I need to know if anyone has any ideas that may have worked for them...I would love to see my children (young men) finally be pain free-without meRAB..Thanks Liesha333
 
Liesha,
I'm sorry that I don't have any advice for you but am a mother of a young spondy patient. We always asked my daughter's ped ortho if genetics played into having congenital spondy since my daughter was diagnosed my niece was also diagnosed. Having three sons with spondy shows genetics play a role in this.

My heart goes out to you. I know what I was feeling as my daughter went through all the therapies, bracing..... and then finally surgery at age 16. I can only imagine that times three. You have had a full plate since I know the time this takes. My daughter had a fusion of L4-S1 with discectomy and laminectomy for spinal stenosis. I don't know what procedure helped, but she is free of back and leg pain today (two years later). That's the reason I still hang around these boarRAB some. Because as her mother I am always worried and concerned about what lies in the future for her back. It's scary.

Sorry I couldn't be of any help, but just know I hope your boys are able to find something to help them. It's awful to see your young children in that kind of pain. cas
 
My youngest wears a "tens unit" (sp?), when it's too much pain for him (with little to sometimes no relief)...he also had a nerve block done, which was very painful, with no relief. I'm not sure if this is what you call a spinal nerve stimulator..If not please explain more, I am very eager to help them.
 
Hiya

i am sorry to hear about the boys problems being a spondolythesis sufferer myself and a father it must be a concern.

I have grade 2 condition with 17mm forward movement on L4 and 2 fractures on L4. I have had this problem a nuraber of years. Like your boys I keep actice I am a self employed lanRABcape gardener so as you can imagine it does worry me on a ongoin basis.

What i have found really useful depending if the boys are open minded to is Pilates to strengthen abdominal muscle tone. I do this weekly for 1 and half hours. I also have chiropracty to keep an eye on things. Without pilates i would not be still as active as I am.

This problem is not going to go away I have pain like your boys daily, and feel the weather. I find the pilates does not take all the pain away but it is a lot better probabley 2 out of 10 for pain. Since building up my abs if feels i have got a band around me rather than pain its weird in a good way.
I do not want surgery and this has helped to keep it at bay.

I know we are all different but it is good to know i am not on my own.:jester:
 
Have they had recent MRIs?...may want to look into getting an up to date diagnosis....you might ask them at what levels of pain they are dealing with....1/10 ....they may be dealing with a tolerable pain and not want to risk doing anything....If they are dealing with say a 3 or lower and only at times then I would not risk anything...if its much worse than that then look into options with the best Doc you can find...;)

Either way My hat off to the Sargent in the Army...tell him thanks!

your boys are tough and your a cool mom for trying to help.

Hope it all works out...let us know.

Devon
 
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