New information on possible surgery

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jenj770

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I saw my neurosurgeon today. From the new MRI's it looks like the problem area is now L2-3, not L5-S1 as he previously thought. I don't see much mention (posts) of fusion in this area. Has anyone had this surgery? I got the impression, from the doc, that this may not be quite as difficult, although still surgery, with all that implies.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Jen
 
I had that disc fused-along with two others. It is still a disc. It can be difficult in some instances because it is smaller and in a tighter spot than the discs that are higher up on the lurabar column. It is still major surgery no matter how you put it....
 
The word "Retrolisthesis" (from the MRI report) was mentioned as one of the reasons for this area being more involved. I think it is some kind of displacement of vertebrae but do not yet understand completely.
 
Retrolisthesis is the posterior displacement of one vertebrae with respect to the adjacent vertebrae. So it means one vertebrae is moved slightly backward over the other (as opposed to spondylolisthesis which is anterior displacement or moving forward over another vertebrae). The key to retrolisthesis (or spondylolisthesis) is the degree to which is is moved and if it is affecting the nerves in any way (what symptoms occur). Usually it is given a "grade" and test results will say "Grade 1 retrolisthesis". Grade 1 is the most minor and as the grade nuraber increases that means the amount of movement is higher.

Hope this helps.
 
Spine AZ,

Thanks for the thorough explanation! I just looked at the MRI and no grade was given for the Retrolisthesis, just the placement at L2-L3, along with other issues at those levels. I am having another CT scan next week so hopefully further information will be forthcoming, and then explained to me by the neurosurgeon.

Jen
 
Like ibake said, it will still be major surgery and will be a long recovery. Long term, though, I do believe that the levels they're talking about for you now are easier than the lower levels. When you have L5-S1 involved, you're probably going to have pain with sitting for any length of time. When I was fused from T4 to L4, sitting was never painful. It was always a relief. Now that I'm fused the rest of the way down, sitting is difficult and I have to get up and move around frequently and lie down several times a day. Granted, I have a very long fusion, and mine was for different reasons, but my therapist told me that "sit pain" is generally a given when L5-S1 are involved.

I hope that's helpful. If you decide to go ahead with surgery, come back and ask all your questions. You're sure to have lots of them, and we're here and happy to help from our own experiences.

Blessings,
Emily
 
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