upstatephil and wendyhobbie,
Thank you for your feedback. I think it makes sense to add more of my situation. I live in OR, and just found the Mayo site while looking for answers. I've had some back issues for many years. I have family history of arthritis, my father, and have done fairly physical work in the past 35 years. Looking back probably too much and not careful enough. I had xray's and MRI's done 7 years ago, showing degenerative discs and arthritis, and started doing PT and more exercises. But I've been pretty fit and active prior to that with jogging, hiking, biking, etc. not overweight and eat healthy. The PT has helped some, and about three years ago started pain management with injections both facet and epidural. I had full back MRI in March 2022, and repeated last fall. Prostate surgery, TURP, Aug 2019, bilateral hernia June 2021, GB June 2023. Tried to stay active and resume activities post surgery each time as directed, but have slowed some. The post GB slowed me more than the others, and starting last fall, 2023, it was more apparent that more was going on lower back. I had MRI's done again, appointment with neurosurgeon who said there wasn't anything warranting surgery. So I continued PT and pain management as before. Late last year things kept getting worse, abdominal discomfort along with lower back. I had imaging to see if there was any abdominal reason, and all was fine, which my PC Dr says points to the back. My PT suggested another neurosurgeon that she would trust for surgery if she needed that. I saw that Dr last week, she reviewed MRI's and is suggesting the L4L5 TLIF fusion. I have a follow up apt on Wed this week to get more details on the procedure.
My concern is about degenerative issues throughout my back, not just L4L5. There is retrolisthesis L2 to L5. Also stenosis in cervical and at T12. If the L4L5 gets fused, what will happen to the rest of the lumbar? I have symptoms; slight tingling in feet, calves, thighs, lower groin, that the Dr says will likely progress over time to decreased mobility. I've not had any issues with bladder or bowel. But have abdominal discomfort that might be coming from the T12 to L2 situation. Am I looking at more fusion in the future for those areas? So, I have a few things to discuss with the Dr. on Wed apt. I'm sort of realizing that the surgery is needed due to the symptoms, but want to make sure this is the best course to follow given my full back picture.
I appreciate those who have made comments, and welcome any others that want to comment. It is difficult finding reliable information on-line. There are quite a few You-tube video's and I'm not sure how reliable they all are. As upstatephil said, everyone's situation is unique in various ways. But we can give each other moral support. It helps to hear what others have gone through and know that surgery can help but may not cure.
Thanks,