Please share your wisdom spondylolisthesis?

I was diagnosed with it at L5-S1 back in 2017. Even though two previous MRIs did not reaveal it. The orthopedic surgeon ordered his own and said it showed that the L5 and S1 vertebrae had slid sideways opposite to each other. He said that it MIGHT be causing pressure on some nerves resulting in my back pain. I was still somewhat naive back then so I said, sure go ahead. Fuse away. Well, it did not help my pain one bit. If I could go back, I would have gottern a second, even third opinion on the MRI interpretation. I'm still not convinced, seven years later, that I really needed the fusion. At least it wasn't a higher level multi vertebrae fusion that would have greatly limited my mobility. So, get at least another opinion. PLEASE!

March 2024 wife had L3 TO L4 Removal of 3 interspinious spacers hardware, decompression L2 TO S1 and intertransverse fusion L4 to L5 and in April 20024 had Revision decompression L2 TO S1. Now she has
sondylolisthesis(NEVER HAD BEFORE) Surgeon who did operation now says I can fix that now you need oblique operation No thanks!!! Now she hasSPONDYLOLISTHEIS and no surgeon will give a second opinion on failed operation. Started with moderate back and leg pain pre operation now has unbearable pain 24/7. Sometimes better to live with moderate pain rather than risk an operation at hand of a surgeon. You can always find surgeon who wants to operate but finding one who declines is difficult

I am so very sorry that you both are going through this. I do appreciate the information you have given.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

Thanks for your concern and kind thoughts. Wife is just going to live with pain at age 80, No more operations.

Do we expect any surgeon to take responsibility for a misstep in a surgery? No! Just chalk up the lack of success to the good, old, "Failed Back Syndrome". What a cop out. Heaven help us.

Waited a year to get 2nd opinion for top spinal surgeon. Tried to make an appointment with him 3 months after
failed surgery. Once he found out about previous surgery told to see him after one year from previous surgery,
So in August 2024 finally wife had appt. He said virtually nothing about previous surgery-complete waste of time and expense for UBER. Also tried another surgeon and he refused to comment of previous surgery. As a matter of fact he said his office made a mistake even calling her in for a second opinion and if he had know about other surgery would never have made her appt. He also said go back to surgeon who did operation I know him and he is a great guy? Bottom line here in NY No spinal surgeon will comment or give 2nd opinion of FSS. Lesson learned to late never let anyone cut open your back unless you are prepared for consequences

In the end, surgeons decline to offer elective spine surgery because they cannot predict a good outcome, or the procedure desired is experimental. Frankly, it is my opinion that surgeons who refuse elective surgery are probably trying to do what is best for their patient. As you all know, you can always find someone to do your surgery. There is too much incentive for many surgeons to just go ahead and operate. If a surgeon says no, there must be a very good reason. Please take that into consideration and remember, you can always get a second opinion, but research your surgeons first.

Citations

When I went in to have my physician's assistant in spine docs office check my spine he said do whatever you can to avoid surgery!

I have had 2 fusion surgeries, L4-5 in 2021, then in July 2023 another surgeon did a revision after my pain continued, and removed hardware from prior surgery and then extended fusion to L5-S1. I had some spondylitisthesis (sp?) along L4-L5, I think. While my pain has not stopped it has greatly diminished. I’m able to get through the day with pain meds, and with exercise to strengthen my weak muscles after so many years of lying down I am confident I did the right thing.
It is a risk, always. You should think carefully and get more than one opinion. Be ready to accept that the pain may come out worse than it was!