when surgery goes bad spinal

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gaz001823

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I have had 2 Spinal Lurabar Fusions and also Interbody Fusion. The first fusion did not fuse. On first fusion, I had 6 screws. Now I have 12, 4 thru stomach and 8 in lurabar region. Is the common for this type of surgery not to fuse or perhaps neglience? I'm in so much pain and can't stand or sit long, I'm 41 yrs. old and now I'm truly disabled. I can't do anything basically w/o being in horrific pain. I keep telling the Ortho. Dr. that there's still so much pain but I'm afraid to have surgery again, but I know something is still wrong, but xrays should everything is lined as should be. However, in 2007, I had the Myelogram, Bone Scan and these test showed nothing, but when the Dr. operated on me the second time, he said the fusion didn't take the first time and that the bone was dangling in there. I walked around like that for over a year before the second operation. That's why I had to have the second LSF/IBF and now I'm in more pain than I was when I had Spondy. I thought these operations would cure me, but I guess I was wrong. Any advice at all? My pain is in the bone, not the muscles. I personally think that because on the non union the first time and going over a year like that caused even more damage to my back. Any advice you may have I would appreciate.
thank you.
 
hi gaz, sry to hear that. I've had l4 - s1 fusion done about 10 months ago. Also for Spondy.
Sometimes it does not fuse, I dont think there has ever been a medical reason for it. I would still have a second opinion from a Spine Specialist, not just an Ortho. You want someone who works with spines and that is it.\
I went to a Neurosurgeon first before speaking to 2 spine specialists. The neuro told me I needed a Discectomy. BOTH spine Specailists told me that a Disc. would do nothing for me, then showed me where the bones were broke in my spine. The Neuro never seen them, all he saw was the Herniations.

ALWAYS get 2 or opinions and preferribly from Spine Specialists!

Hope this will help some.
 
Gazoo, please don't take any over the counter pain medications that contain aspirin, ibuprofin, naproxin...these are all NSAID pain relievers and will interfere with your fusion. The only safe anti-inflammatory you can take is tylenol.

Paula
 
Hi gaz, and welcome to the board!

How long ago was your second fusion? It can take a full year to have a solid fusion, sometimes even longer. Did your surgeon use BMP or give you a bone growth stimulator? Both have good track recorRAB for getting a good fusion going.

It might be hard getting another opinion at this point, as many doctors won't see you if you've had surgery from another doctor. If you can find one, that might be the best thing.

I'm sorry you're still in so much pain. Are you on any pain meRAB, and do they help?

Emily
 
Hey Emily. Thank you for replying. My last surgery was on 10/30/07, I had SLF and IBF surgery. It was a 14hr surgery. The first fusion in 2006 didn't take. So I walked around for a yr and 1/2 with the bone in my back just dangling. We didn't it know that the surgery didn't take the first time although, I keep telling the Dr. something wasn't right and he kept saying it takes a year to heal. If he had followed up at the point, I probably wouldn't be sitting here w/ 12 screws in me. At this point, I'm really glad it didn't paralyze me. Because of walking around like that, I feel it cause my back more damage. It tore disc in my back and those had to be repair as well. I do have Hydrocodone 5/325 that I take 3x a day. They don't allow me medication for the wee hrs in the night so I take over the counter backache pills at night. He also just put me on Lyrica which has helped my left leg a little but not much, it still hurts in my leg, just not stabbing pain. I was going to go to another Ortho. but the Neur. who was part of my surgery (3 Surgeons did my last surgery) told me it would be better to go back to the Ortho. because they knew what they had done to my back. It's just a big mess. I go back to the Ortho. on Oct. 9th and at that time it will probably be the last visit because I have decided to go to a Spine spec. and see if there's any relief. I thank you again for replying and talking w/ me. May God always walk w/ you.
Sincerely,
gazoo
 
My new PM says the contraindication for using Ibuprofen(Advil,Motrin) or other NSAID's only applies to the first three months after a fusion. Also, Tylenol or Acetominophen is NOT an anti-inflammatory. --janiee;)
 
Thank you for your advice. I will go to a Spine spec. maybe that is exactly what I need. I was going to go to another Dr. but the Neur. told me that it would be better to go to the same Dr. who did the surgery because they knew what they have done and other Drs. didn't like to see patients that another Dr. has already operated on. But since I have already been thru so much, I agree that it is time to go elsewhere. The pain is unreal!!!! Hopefully the spine spec. will help. Thank you for replying and your advice and may God always walk w/ you.
Sincerely,
Gazoo
 
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