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SURGERY for spinal stenosis & lumbar spinal fusion

Spine Health | Last Active: May 26 11:48am | Replies (49)
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@sparkleberry

My first spine surgery, which included rods for L3 and L4 lasted 20years. But just this past year, when my overall health began to deteriorate, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease. The old rods began to fail, and then my L5 deteriorated, setting my pain levels on fire until the day I simply could not get out of bed. Emergency surgery on L4-5 followed, with replacement of the old rods and a new one for L5. Recovery hasn’t been as easy as it was in my’50’s, but at least I can stand up and walk when I feel the need

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Replies to "My first spine surgery, which included rods for L3 and L4 lasted 20years. But just this..."
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 10 8:53pm

@sparkleberry Hello and welcome! I love that name, it sounds like a tasty sparkling fruit drink. I am a cervical spine surgery patient, and haven't had your specific experience. How far along are you with your recovery? Are there still some goals you are working toward?

Jennifer

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vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | May 11 7:31am

Thank you for your acknowledgment and support. The time lapse since the spinal fusion of L5-S1 has been almost ten years. I am wondering when the rods will wear down. After the spinal cord stimulator was placed in last year, which has been successful, the neurosurgeon who placed it in, is very communicative and responsive when I contact him. He referred me to a scoliosis neuro at the Barrow in Phoenix, and he ordered imaging. Thank goodness he ordered a CT Scan and not a MRI, as with the SCS, it is a vey laborious process when in the "tunnel". I lightly freaked out the last time, as it was to be two 30 minute sessions, and I could only handle one session. I am looking forward to seeing the specialist next month, and go from there. My curiosity and interest is what the curvature is. I am extremely active, just turned 69, and cannot think of being on the sidelines.

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