Pars fracture and surgery

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brosiah
  • Start date Start date
B

Brosiah

Guest
Hello everyone-
I just returned from my appointment with the spine doctor. He told me I have a "Pars fracture" that is from my childhood. Im 26 and my first back episode happened when I was 12. Anyway, he said with the condition my back is in now that my only treatment option is surgery. Apparently my vertebre is pushed forward 50% and when I bend pushes forward even more. I have some nerve damage already.
The doctor said the surgery I require will be two fold. First, they have to go in the front of the spine through my abdomen and do whatever it is they do and then they will turn me over and fuse my spine and do bone grafts. He said some kind of plastic spacer type thing will replace the disk which is pretty much gone. And then they will screw it all together. I really kind of glazed over at this point because I was panicing at the thought of all of this.:dizzy: I never expected to have to go through surgery. But I have suffered for so long and am glad they finally found the problem.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has heard of this type of surgery and if anyone has gone through it. What it was like and etc.
Should I get a 2nd opinion being that this is such a complex back surgery? He is a spine specialist with a fellowship. I am new to the world of back problem as I just assumed that this was just pain I would always have and never really looked into it after the first doc I went to suggested it was no big deal, and another said it was just related to being overweight. (well I lost 125 pounRAB and am now a normal weight..but still have the problem)
I am just really freaked out right now and would love any input you can give me!
Thanks so much
 
Get a second and a third opinion. Picking the right doctor - one who listens and takes time with you is really important. You may end up going with this first doctor, but you want to be sure. The other point is to ask them if there is any way that you could be worse after the surgery - it is best to have all the information - all these pieces are added to the pot that you are going to use to make your decision.

Good luck to you
 
It sounRAB like you have a condition called a Spondylolysthesis. This can often repair itself with collagen overtime but over 50% slippages can often require surgery and can get worse. Without MRI's etc it is impossible to give full advice but I would always seek out further advice from back specialists if YOU are not happy with the advice given. Chiropractors MAY be able to help but only in certain situations.
 
Well, I was told I have Pars fracture in my L5, and this doctor told me at this point my only option for recovery would be surgery. But I will see what other doctors say.
 
A pars fracture is a spondylolysthesis, It's just the full long medical name for the condition - just thought it may be helpful for you to know if you were trying to look up stuff on the internet about it!
 
Thank you for that information! I looked it up and thats exactly what the doctor was describing except he didnt call it that, he just said Pars fracture. But I was able to find a lot more information with the info you gave me. I appreciate it =)
 
Back
Top