Pars defect & partial spina bifida-spinal fusion possibly needed-VERY scared!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Christina42503
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Christina42503

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Hello. I was diagnosed with partial spina bifida and a Pars defect in L5 when I was about 13 (I'm now 21). At the time I had been in a sledding accident and had a pinched nerve. With the help of physical therapy and a few pain pills I felt good as new as long as I took it easy. Since then I hadn't had any problems until last year when I was in a car accident. I went to my physician and he took X-Rays. After looking at them he said that I had a lot of inflammation but nothing had slipped. I just needed to rest and do more PT. Well, a few days ago my fiance took me out dancing for our 3 year anniversary (sweet huh? ;) :D )and I woke up at 4 the next morning and I felt like I had a rock in my spine. I couldn't move and my fiance had to help me get out of bed. I went to the doctor and he said that I may need surgery now (I have no idea how dancing caused me so much pain :confused: ). I'm very scared and I was wondering if anyone else has had a spinal fusion and knew how it was done, how painful it was, how long the recovery is, etc. I'm starting my senior year in college in a couple weeks so I wanted to know how I would plan for surgery and juggle classes at the same time. Any help would be so appreciated. Thanks so much.

Christina
 
I have had two spinal fusion surgeries. One in my lower back and one in my neck. I am 6 days postop from the neck fusion and it is all I can do to get through the day. I still have to take pain meRAB. which make me forget things and feel confused. It would be very difficult to recover from this and still go to school. Would you be able to take a symester off? With my lower back it took me a year to be able to sit without discomfort. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
 
Hi Christina,
I have almost the exact same story. I have spina bifida and pars defect and also was in a sledding/ tubing accident when I was 12. At that point I thought I had broken my tailbone, but my x-rays revealed no break and I discovered the spina bifida.
I am a professional contortionist/ acrobat and the thought of spine immobilization/ surgery scares me because I don't want to have to stop my career. I'm actually waiting this week to find out more about the pars defect. I had a sciatic injury from weightlifting 3 years ago. So, we shall see. Hopefully physical therapy will be helpful.
peace.
LinRABey
 
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