Possible L3-4,L4-5 fusion

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badbacklumbar

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my Hx...

1997...Laminectomy/discectomy @ L3-4
1999... Lurabar fusion (biological from donor) at L5-S1
2007... discectomy @ L3-4 (again)

I am experiencing SEVERE pain in my low back. Less often than not it is radiating down both legs. This pain is ONLY experienced when I move (on a scale from 1-10, I am at an 11). I have been fitted for an LSO with some relief (that and a long hx of hydrocodone and Skelaxin use). Been diagnosed with DDD @ L3-4, L4-5 and am seeing the surgeon on March 20, 2009 to discuss a spinal fusion at said levels. This pain I experience upon movement is not something that I can "deal" with. It wakes me up at night, I need help getting dressed (socks especially), cant concentrate at work, college, or on any activity for that matter (sorry for rarabling but I am hoping there is someone out there that is worse off than me and can put me in my place). My question is, with my Hx of back pain, DDD, and the lack of disc mat'l at L3-4, am I a good candidate for spinal fusion or is this something that will get better over time? (As I shake my 8 ball..."signs say NO") but anyway... I don't want to be alone here and would appreciate a hug!!

Thanks
 
My name is Cathy and 6 years ago I had my back fused from L3-L5. The S1 disc is also herniated but you cannot have 3 fused together, in a row.
My journey started 4 years before my fusion surgery when I was diagnosed with DDD. I tried every treatment available and I also had Laminectomy
 
Cathy,

Thanks so much for responding. I am almost positive I need the surgery because of the instability issue I have. Pain meRAB don't help much and the LSO helps but I still have the instability issue. As far as 100% recovery, I know that won't happen and I'm ok with that. I just do NOT want this thing to "slip" anymore. When it moves, I go down and its not fun. The pain is excruciating. I don't even care about the reduced range of motion... I just need to be able to relax. (The term "slip" is a sensation I have. I don't know if there is actual movement back there). I think its the sensation of L3-4, bone on bone, not bone on disc.

Again, Thanks for writing. I appreciate it more than you know

God Bless

Jeff
 
i had a laminectamy(sory if spelling is wrng) disectamy 9 years ago i have never recvered and have never returned to work ,my head is no longer on the floor so the opp did fix that but the pain the inability to walk or bend the falling to the floor the erabarresment when i try to stand and walk def never got better only worse.......now iv been offered fusion should i or should"nt i is killing my brain will i be worse......your story seems a little like can you give me any advice .thanks
 
Hi Jeff,
Your welcome.
I think your feeling either one of two things. First would be that the disc is actually moving it might be bulging out the side and that causes the pain and for you to go down or the second reason could be that the disc is out and has fragmented. Small pieces get stuck in between the nerves and muscles and they cause tremendous pain as well as knock you off your feet. Either situation usually comes and goes at first but it will get only worse. Sorry... I won't lie to you. An MRI will tell your doctor which one it is, what stage your at and the right course of action but it's very important to get the MRI done ASAP. When it's happening, because if it's not fully herniated it can trick us and look like everything's okay, which we know it's not.
My tests were all done years ago so maybe they have something newer.... something better that an MRI but my tests showed all.
My doctor didn't truly believe me when something happened to me.... he would just send me to the lab for my MRI's and then when he got the results he would call and then be all concerned. Be aware.... of what you need to do and what can be done.
I know I've said it already but I'll say it again. If I had to choose all over again...I would choose to be fused.
Take care,
Cathy
 
Less than a year ago I had a decompression and fusion performed on L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1 because of spondylolisthesis and other problems. The surgery was a wonderful success, bringing my pain from an 8 to a 1; I'm able to stand erect, walk and do everything I'd not been able to do for several years. Yes, I lost some flexibility, but that's a small price to pay for such remarkable pain relief.

It took several visits to several surgeons before I found the right one; others said there was nothing that could be done and to just take pain pills; that was not for me.

So, don't give up if you're having terrible pain; you don't want to end up in a wheel chair if there's something that can be done. Just be sure your surgeon is board certified and comes highly recommended.
 
CT LUrabAR SPINE

Clinical History: Previos discetomy 1993. Now pain radiation to left leg.

Finding: multidetector volumetic CT acquisition has been performed with multiplanar recontructions. The L4/5 apears to be fused and presumibly, represents previos surgery.
The pedicles are developmentaly short which predisposess stenosis but the spinal is considered adequate at this level.

There is facet jooint degenerative changes at 3/4 and L5/S1, but there is no soft disc protusion or spinal stenosis.

At L2/3 level, huge central osteophytic spur is present. This impiges the central portion of the thecal sac and results in a quite tight spinal stenosis. Correlation with the level of the patient's neorological symptoms would be helpful to determine if this is significant.

There id no fracture or bony destructive process. The psoas and paraspinal muscles are of normal configuration.

Coment: Developmentaly short pedicles predispose to spinal stenosis, and a huge central osteophyte at level L2/3 in fairly tight central stenosis at that level. Previos surgery at L4/5 appears uncomplicated but there is multilevel lower lurabar facet joint degenerative changes but withoout neural compromise at the lower level.
 
CT LUrabAR SPINE

Clinical History: Previos discetomy 1993. Now pain radiation to left leg.

Finding: multidetector volumetic CT acquisition has been performed with multiplanar recontructions. The L4/5 apears to be fused and presumibly, represents previos surgery.
The pedicles are developmentaly short which predisposess stenosis but the spinal is considered adequate at this level.

There is facet jooint degenerative changes at 3/4 and L5/S1, but there is no soft disc protusion or spinal stenosis.

At L2/3 level, huge central osteophytic spur is present. This impiges the central portion of the thecal sac and results in a quite tight spinal stenosis. Correlation with the level of the patient's neorological symptoms would be helpful to determine if this is significant.

There id no fracture or bony destructive process. The psoas and paraspinal muscles are of normal configuration.

Coment: Developmentaly short pedicles predispose to spinal stenosis, and a huge central osteophyte at level L2/3 in fairly tight central stenosis at that level. Previos surgery at L4/5 appears uncomplicated but there is multilevel lower lurabar facet joint degenerative changes but withoout neural compromise at the lower level.
 
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