Failed Previous Lumbar Fusion Revision Surgery

[@stitch2499]

my back surgery in the USA. went wrong big time. on total disability now. loss the use of my left leg.. pain is so much worse..God bless everyone here. amen

[@cookiesabir]

Now how are you?

[@stitch2499]

@@cookiesabir hello Sir. Thank you for asking. Doing about the same.. very little use of my left leg. Pain is worse.. on total disability.. but it could always be worse.. I am very blessed.. Are you thinking about getting it done. It does work for alot of people.. Take care Sir. God Bless you and family.. Stitch

[@noahdunaway]

@@stitch2499 I just had back surgery on Oct. 13 by Dr Harrod in Baton Rouge, He fused L5&S1. I herniated disc’s at L4, L5 & S1 in my mid thirties. I rehabilitated myself through exercise and started having pain again at 62yro and after almost ten years of terrible pain I felt like I had no choice but surgery. Dr. Harrod is optimistic about my procedure once I’m completely recovered. I am anxious also to see how my pain is after my recovery. Also I am a disabled veteran and the VA takes care of my medical needs.

[@stitch2499]

​@@noahdunaway hello Sir. Just wanted to know how are you doing after the back surgery.. Hope and pray that it is working for you..Take care. God bless.. Stitch

[@noahdunaway]

@@stitch2499 I’m still having a good bit of back pain and hoping that once the incision gets healed up my pain level will go down. My legs were about 90% better immediately after the surgery.

[@angelocerrone3070]

Great to hear a success story. It’s so tiresome to be in constant pain, inactive, depressed and to then hear neurosurgeon(s), after reviewing X-rays ctscans or MRIs say “ well, everything looks ok”!

[@geraldhammond2382]

Suffered from spinal stenosis for approximately 5 years. Went through the usual process of physical therapy and pain management with epidural injections with unfortunately no improvement. The pain eventually became both intolerable and debilitating necessitating a multi-level laminectomy. Three months later and I'm still suffering from the same symptoms and pain. I've been going to post operative PT with no improvement in my symptoms and I am now considering revision surgery. I pray that I can find another surgeon to help me. I currently live in Northern NJ so if anyone has had a similar experience please reach out to me.

[@donmiller4885]

Look into Mayo clinic Rochester Minnesota they're supposed to be one of the best I'm proceeding to go there for a revision spinal fusion they're supposed to be the best in the entire country 7 years in a row good luck

[@m.campbell650]

I've heard really good things about the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia. I live in Southeastern PA, having recently moved from Baltimore, MD, where i had my spinal fusion (L5, S1). It felt so much better for all of 3-4 months, then had the pain return and pain management started. Great pain Management docs here in Baltimore but that wasn't why I had the surgery! Now looking at L3-L-5: redone from the back and a CAGE put in from the front! So I hear your cry!

[@Chiroman527]

Sorry to hear this as a Sufferer. Only Sufferers of this can align with your chronic pain and Misery Index. I'm 71 YO, a man, retired now because of the Disability of Spinal Stenosis and worse Spondyliosis (spinal arthritis on the vertebrae and facet Joints together with Degenerative Disc Disease). Disc Bulges / Herniations at L2, L3 L5-S1, C3-C7 and T9, T10-. A Freakin Mess. I went to 6 different Neuro / Spinal Surgeons in 2018 - 2019 All said that there is NO Surgery For Me - too much Arthritis. My sites of Stenosis are considered Mild to Moderate but in a number of locations. A Orthopedic Nurse told me that the Surgeons today will only Operate if They are very Certain that the surgery has 80% chance to alleviate the pain. It reflects on their personal success rates and the success rates of the hospital! Do your research, but you will find many successes but also many Failed surgeries or the pains return after a year or so. As far a recommendation for a quality facility / doctor in your area (I'm in Westchester County NY) I found Dr. Saad Chaudary at Mt. Sinai in NYC to be a wonderful surgeon. He teaches Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Mt. Sinai's Medical School. he has a excellent bedside manner even though he too recommednded no Lumbar Surgery - but maybe Cervical Surgery if it becomes Unbearable. Of the 6 sugeons I visited, Including a renowned one at Columbia Pres., Dr. McCormick, it was Dr. Chaudary would have been the one I would have felt comfortable with the most. I have 25 degree Dextroscoliosis too, he was the only doctor that said scoliosis is NOT to be counted too lightly. The twisted spine affects many nerves - it's the Nerves that causes all the discomfort. Check out Dr. Su on You Tube videos with excellent presentations. Good Luck. God Bless.

[@gavinelliot3564]

Had this for four years.pain 24/7 nothing works.doctors don't listen or care they bury their mistakes.T800Aust

[@skidmark7845]

So glad you are doing better. I have the same type of fusion where they came in from my right side and only put in one bracket. The screws never backed out but they suspect that there is some micro sheering going on that doesn’t show up on imaging. Just had spinal chord stimulator put in to see if it will control the pain. My new doctor wants to revise the previous fusion and also fuse L5/S1.

[@KBradAdams]

Any updates Skimark? Curious if you ever found any relief and what your symptoms were to let you know you were not fused.

[@skidmark7845]

@@KBradAdams Started having radiating pain in lower back that was different than before. It slowly started migrating down both legs and then as the months went by, my feet started to sting like I was constantly being hit with a paddle. The pains also started to travel from my feet to my knees and shins. It was like random misfires going on. CT scan and nerve conduction study showed problems from L5/S1 area. Doctor told me to get spinal stimulator, but it was just a matter of time before it gave out and I would need another fusion at L5/S1. CT scan showed the fusion was finally starting to heal. I’m finally getting some relief from the stimulator, but they had to modify the programs as I healed from that surgery, which was a lot more rough than I expected. Two cuts. One to glue the wire leads to the vertebrae and one for the battery pack. I’m starting to finally get around but I’m still on the meds, ice packs, muscle rub, heating pad, you name it. Had a lot of muscle atrophy in my legs. Went from barely getting around with a cane to being able to drive myself around and walking a couple miles per day. Still fighting and praying.

[@KBradAdams]

@@skidmark7845Wow, so you had to get a fusion at L5/S1. when was that and how long before it started healing or fusing? Did you get the previous fusion revised and was that at L4/L5? Or did they just leave it and fuse L5/S1? Sounds like I am in the same boat trying to decided if my L4/L5 fusion is causing the pain or L5/S1 that has not been fused. Thanks again and glad you are better than before.

[@skidmark7845]

@@KBradAdams I didn’t get the L5/S1 fusion yet. I’m still holding off on that for as long as I can. Doctors told me that it was just a matter of time before they would have to go that route. After several MRI’s and CT scans, it seems that the original fusion finally took. It’s really hard for them to tell because the spacer is made out of metal

[@KBradAdams]

@@skidmark7845 How long ago was the fusion? Just curious, my surgeon told me if it didn't fuse in a year it would not fuse, which is where I am based on a CT scan and its been almost 2 years... Thanks

[@KBradAdams]

Curious how she is now? Would love to hear an update.

[@hmp2085]

Can you walk, run, jump, stand, bend, stretch, carry weight, ride a bike, drive long distance and sit down on the floor without pain and stiffness today?

[@nobleroofinggeneralcontrac7961]

Wait? What? You will go back to riding? Doc said that is ok?

[@nealbastable930]

I'll have to see if Dr Patel wants to deal with ongoing lower back & sciatic pain after 2 surgeries, the last a L2 dn to S1 trans laminal interbody fusion in the most renowned hospital. I'd like to be able walk more than 5 min without disabling pain.

[@bigcws4522]

I know your surgery has been a bit ,but how are you and your back doing these days?

[@kellibutler7797]

Do they have information on the neck?

[@geraldblackburn4883]

I had a M6 im the l45 and the fusion in the L51 in Germany, and doing well now !

[@brians2328]

Interesting, why not Lp-esp? I had L4/5 L5/S1 in Germany, doing well also!

[@luis2flr]

I’m happy for you fellas ! What doctor/Where in Germany?

[@geraldblackburn4883]

@@brians2328 Just what they offered in 2014.

[@brians2328]

@@luis2flr Schmitz- In Dusseldorf.. Phenomenal surgeon/person!

[@brians2328]

@geraldblackburn4883 Smart to do the level above with ADR it should hopefully stop any adjacent level issues from the fusion.. Who did your surgery, if you don't mind?

[@pacemart60]

Have health insurance it not very good idea some time Surgeon to make money they just operate when probably it not necessary or no need Where I live we have free Medicare we not need to pay for medical expense as well surgery are free And there are done only in severe cases and if real needed I have lower back pain with bulge disk nerve impingement narrowed disk some time I can’t move or seat for 20 years now surgeon said that surgery will make me worse and still have pain I’m handle the pain with Physio medications but not want rush for surgery some who have insurance they doing it but regrets afterwards

[@larrys.feraca306]

Stay out of the horse jumping girl! You have serious hardware in your spine!

[@HmmmYeahRiiiiiight]

Why don't you deny yourself of the thing that brings you the most joy, for life, and get back to us how that's going for you....