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Had a diagnosis of or surgery on spinal dural arteriovenous fistula?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 27 8:59pm | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
@burrkay Did you write down your questions? It's a good idea because it is so easy to forget what you wanted to ask when you are in front of a surgeon. I'll be thinking of you. Would you let me know how you're doing? You have a lot on your plate and that can't be easy, but it's also the best way forward.
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@jenniferhunter
Not sure if you are still there. If so, happy to update…it’s been two years now…I underwent open spine surgery at Mayo with a ligation of the fistula found at T10-T11. I continue recovery, which is a slow process. Balance is not good, but somewhat improved. Have fallen number of times!
Mayo continues to monitor my condition with neurology.
I have fallen as recently as March of 2026, and my local spine surgeon tells me I have nerve compression mostly in the lumbar…also in cervical- recommended a fusion L2-L5 with instrument down to L5-S1 previously fused.
Mayo neurosurgeon doesn’t seem to agree that a surgical solution will help with the leg weakness…recovery from a fusion will likely be nuanced by the effects of the previous AVFistula ligation and scar tissue from previous surgical procedures.
So, the beat goes on…no lumbar surgery for now…and walking and standing is difficult at best! I walk with a can, trekking poles and/or a high handled walker which I purchased while at Mayo years ago.