Has anyone had a failed spinal fusion?

I've never felt this bad in my entire life. I am now facing another surgery, in January. This time my Neurosurgeon will do an XLIF procedure. He says that I have a new herniation at the L2 level, and I have loose screws at the L3 level. The SI joint pain that he said I had did not end up being SI joint pain per the Pain Management Physician who gave me 2 steroid injections directly into the joints with no relief. I continue to tell the Neurosurgeon where my pain is, pointing to the areas on my body directly in front of him, and it's like he just doesn't get it. Plus I have ribcage pain - he doesn't know what that is all about either. I have continued pain across my lower back (L) to (R). He says this XLIF procedure will reduce my pain. I'm not so sure to be honest. So now I will have to begin the recovery process all over again from Day 1. My greatest fear is that this just isn't going to end, and it's going to be one surgery after another and I still will be in pain -----

Sorry it’s lengthy : After having a failed lumbar surgery April 2023 I’m worse than before the surgery . After my surgeon ignored my plea and sent me for a stimulator which luckily that doctor agreed there was something wrong and sent me to 3 other surgeons all agreeing there was nothing wrong ( why would there be any change if they all went by the same MRI that was taken 6-8 months prior and my pain got worse after it, non of them looked at my back. I could literally rub the tailbone and pain go straight to the testicles and was told by my surgeon I don’t have that) . I was then referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and had a CT Scan and Scoliosis X-ray which showed a loose screw. Their recommendation was leave it alone and get a stimulator. I came home and contacted my surgeon again who said that loose screw was just a halo probably not a loose screw so get a stimulator . I’m confused as to why you would leave a loose screw @L5 in that’s causing more pain and new nerve zaps everyday! If the stimulator blocks the pain wouldn’t the screw continue being loose and do more damage ? Running out of options I go see the Physiatrist Dec 2 about putting the stimulator in I hate to do it if somethings wrong( wait I’m laying on an air mattress because my back is tender and I can’t lay on a bed I slept in a recliner for 4 months until I got the air mattress ) but I’m running out of Doctors and taking way to much meds . I feel like a scarecrow would be more understanding than my local Neurosurgeons!

I had spinal fusion in Nov 2023 to correct my scoliosis. I was fused from T12 down to L4 (8 levels). I was in severe pain and I was passed off to pain management after X-rays and CT scans came back "normal". In July 2024 I was still in severe pain with a cyst emerging on my L4 which protruded about an inch horizontally. I went to urgent care and they performed an ultrasound which I was then told to go straight to the ER for a CT and infection screening. I went to the ER and had an MRI performed. From the MRI it was discovered to have a loose screw on my L4 which then lead to blood tests and CTs. I was admitted and the cyst was removed and the L4 screw was replaced with a larger screw. I felt amazing immediately following the procedure. 2 weeks into the recovery I started to feel nerve pain in my left armpit. I went back to the ER and they ran every test thinking it was a blood clot. I was sent home. The following week I felt that dreaded pain and was back in the ER, this time they ran a MRI. It was determined my L4 screw was loose again. My spine surgeon had a dexa scan and determined osteopenia. I was then sent me to my endocrinologist who prescribed me Tymlos for bone growth. I've been on Tymlos for almost 2 months. My revision surgery is scheduled for Jan 31st 2025. It appears my hardware will be replaced with an additional fusion and cage to L5. Last night I felt the same dreaded pain 3 inches above my L4 loose screw. I fear another screw has come loose. With the amount of pain and lack of mobility to function saying basic tasks I am in a hard place mentally and physically. I am 44 yo woman, 5'9" and 160lbs. I feel like this is now my new normal. I do not know how to advocate for myself as I am not educated in spinal issues. Any guidance you can provide as you go through your process is greatly appreciated.

@jennirob01 Thank you for sharing that ! I pray you get some kind of relief. That’s interesting you mentioning the arm pit I as well get a random stabbing in the ribs just below the arm pit. I hen I went to Mayo Clinic they done a CT and an Scoliosis X-ray that’s when they found L4 left screw loose . My fear is with he stimulator blocking the pain we all know a screw that’s loose has to continue causing problems. Even with the trial stimulator taking care of all the pain I still couldn’t sleep in bed the compression on the nerves make my feet and lower legs go numb . I’m a scheduled the 14th for the permanent stimulator, since there’s no one that wants to fix the screw I guess I’ll try the stimulator until I’m paralyzed or get infection 🤷🏼‍♂️

Yes. I was told this week after 5 years of pain and leaning forward, that my spine was fused out of alignment. My neurosurgeon doesn't know how to fix this. He is sending my case to a forum of specialists. This is my 2nd surgery. First one was great. Screws didn't integrate in sacrum and some replaced all screws. I knew something wasn't right but kept thinking it would improve. Saw PA twice during this time but she was no help.