Case study 76- Dr. Grunch EXPLAINS Pars defect/fracture treated by anterior lumbar interbody fusion

[@bbhdd6181]

Man, I wish I knew a doctor like you in the UK who could help me. I’m 27 and have been in bed for years, I saw a neuro who told me that I didn’t need anything but therapy without doing a single test on me. Nobody understands what it’s like to be dismissed by a doctor when you’re vulnerable unless they’ve experienced it themselves. I’m glad this woman had someone like you to advocate for their care and to take them seriously.

[@Sarspariila]

It really does suck. I started getting pain in my back, right in the middle of it near my spine but also the pain come through where my stomach and diaphragm are. Constantly radiated out from the centre spot. I went to the doctor, told him where the pain was on both sides of me. They gave me X-rays on my back, found out I have scoliosis and kyphosis, he sent me to the physical therapist and he prescribed me 100mg tramadol. The pain still continued and got worse, i went to the hospital twice. I finally after a while figured out the pain happened every time the I ate certain foods, it ended up being a stomach ulcer that I had. I felt that the doctor should have caught it, I told him the symptoms and after what he prescribed for the back pain didn’t work, he should’ve searched for what it was at least through a process of elimination. It took for me to click to the food thing and then finally changing my diet and having a endoscopy and taking the medication to fix it I was finally able to get better. He left the doctor surgery I saw him at not long after I was properly diagnosed, I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or not. It’s frustrating because the one person who should listen to you, doesn’t and just makes you feel they know best and that you’re just hypochondriac. I sincerely hope you are happy and on your way to getting healthy.

[@lisanapier3889]

🙏 praying you get tests and treatment you need to be able to feel better

[@bbhdd6181]

@@Sarspariila I’m so glad you were able to figure this out for yourself, and yep, it’s definitely exhausting and upsetting when they don’t really look into what’s going on with you. It’s great that you’re better after the meds! I really appreciate it 💕 The problem I have is not recognised by neurologists and neurosurgeons in the UK, so unless I can go abroad I’m pretty resigned to this life as it is. I’ve been having a particularly rough couple of months but your response brightened my day. :)

[@bbhdd6181]

@@lisanapier3889 Thank you so much 💕

[@rebeccacarlson9166]

I'm so sorry for your pain, bb! I don't understand why the UK doctors won't help you - but please hang in there and don't give up trying! 😟

[@donnakemp3903]

Oh my goodness. I am so empathetic with this situation. From the time I was 31/32 I ran the gauntlet of treatments. It finally reached a point of drop foot and loss of feeling. Found a great surgeon and for the first time in 20+ years I have no pain. While long term there will probably be other age related issues, this will not be one of them. Stay strong and you were in the best hands ❤❤❤❤

[@SV-uu5tk]

Can we have more surgeons & doctors like you who are more compassionate and show sympathy to patients who are or have been in chronic pain? I’ve come across doctors who just rushes an entire visit without showing compassion. Like I get it that doctors are busy, has other patients to tend to and other tasks to do but they need to remember we all are human.

[@elexisbustin4518]

I’ve had a PARS defect in L4 with a mild slip since I was 16 that took a bone scan to find because it was so small. Now I’m 43 and the pain I’ve suffered since 1996 has caused me to be inactive and after 3 pregnancies and deliveries it’s debilitating and I can’t workout or even walk for very long. My weight is now the highest it’s ever been. I have severe depression and IBSD leaving me on many medications. This actually gives me hope!!!

[@jot4958]

Thank you for making me not feel like a crazy complainer. I wish my doctor was as encouraging and confident and wanting to help me as much as you are to your patients.

[@lesiGayle]

This is what I had! But mine was 13 years ago and the procedure was far more complex and life threatening and was 12.5 hours long. I WAS this lady. I am so glad she did not have to live through what I did.

[@Evettecord]

How’s your back today?

[@Ammiller5]

Bravo🎉 this sounds like a challenging case with many failed treatments. Well done on discerning the root cause of her pain and assisting her. People with chronic pain are, in my opinion, the hardest population

[@shyness2892]

I'm all for not being in pain cause my dad has chronic back.issues but anything with the spine freaks me out.

[@cliffkissling1891]

Great case! With that secure of a fusion at L5/S1, do you see higher rates of adjacent level disease down the road?

[@ybwhynot7292]

Wow, that anterior component is COOL. I havent seen that before. As a physical therapist i have only treated people with posterior fusions in the lumbar spine. (I have been out of outpatient treatment for a few years and my hospital refers to a sister facility for neurosurg). I bet it is a much more stable fusion.

[@Sara_OHH]

Glad she shared her story 💕

[@jeannetteerrett373]

Thank you for sharing this! I’m having surgery on 7/17. Cleaning out L3 & L4 (possible fusion). Definitely fusing L4 & L5, said I compressed 4 millimeters when I stand. Had gastric bypass to loose weight but have gained about 15 pounds, the pain gets intense, plus I need my right knee replaced.I had right hip replace in 2017 & still have pain & inflammation in my right leg from mid back to foot. Praying this surgery helps!!!

[@melissacrozier5845]

Woww! You are amazing!! Wish you could be cloned, lol! We need way more compassion in this world. Thank you for being you, Dr Grunch. 😊

[@dreed1058]

Omg, this is so fascinating! I have a very similar injury in the same location. Had all the same procedures (microdisectomy, etc.) and go to pain dr monthly. I have SEARING pain in outer right thigh - it feels like glass against bone. I'm ready for a surgeon or neurologist to FIX ME PLEASE!!! 67 yr old lib grandma in Texas😊❤

[@kellyr6274]

Wat the frick😮 wish I'd have had Dr. Betsy Grunch as my neurosurgeon for all my failed surgeries!

[@p.s.8968]

Just recently got diagnosed with a non-displaced pars defect. Not much help from the doctor. Could you do a video about treatments/tips/ tricks to do before needing to get to the point of surgery? What can someone do to allow the bone to heal on its own? Is it possible?

[@rebeccacarlson9166]

Wait, she still has "minimal pain" after all of that?? If you've fixed the problem, what is currently producing the pain? Just curious.

[@marta7089]

Jeez you absolutely amazing unbelievable ❤

[@_Julie_Bee]

Omg that's exactly me!!! I'm still stuck in conservative treatment. 🙃

[@killerx367]

So can you go back to bodybuilding if this happens to you?

[@Choxchip63]

Love it

[@_Julie_Bee]

Dr, I have a slightly related question. I need to undergo a spinal tap because of idiopathic intracranial high pressure. Will the state of my spine (l5 s1 degeneration/"spondylitis" (I can't remember the right term in English I'm sorry) affect the procedure? Or the pain during and recovery?