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I am 20 yrs old and I had my L5 and S1 "fused" July 2024, my pain has been worsening since. My hardware is intact, the left side is fused while the right isn't. Yet this isn't the source of my pain according to my doc. I am currently in pain management, I use a heating pad and heated seats, I can't work anymore even in pain management. I tried patches, injections, muscle relaxers, gabapentin, tens unit none of those helped. I am thinking about asking my doctor about a SPECT-CT (supposed to help locate pain on a specialized ct scan).
I hope that you can find some relief some type of way, back pain is the worst. I wish there was a better working treatment instead of the fusion surgeries.
Replies to "I am 20 yrs old and I had my L5 and S1 "fused" July 2024, my..."
@mpar6771 Some doctors are fusion crazy. I had L5-S1 fused 11 years ago and still working with a pain specialist for 7 years. He has tried 10 minimally evasive procedures with no improvement. You may want to try a spinal stimulator. It helps many people. The only thing that I take is Norco. It gives my 50% of a normal life back and I live alone.
@mpar6771 Hi, sorry about Ur circumstances... So has ur Doc offered any ideas what may be Causing your pain? Is it only your back or anywhere else. And wanted to know if Epidural Fibrosis was ever discussed or considered. If not might also be a possibility you want to google. It's basically scar tissue from the surgery growing around and adhering to your Lumbar nerve roots and Compressing them...Even though none of my providers suggested it, it seems to have a high incidence in failed back surgeries... best wishes going forward.
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@mpar6771 Welcome to Connect. It must be frustrating to keep enduring pain. I have had a situation of nerve compression from thoracic outlet syndrome in addition to being a cervical spine surgery patient. I have done a lot of physical therapy and my PT has done a therapy called myofascial release that has helped me a lot by loosening up tight tissue. Surgery creates scar tissue and that can lead to pain when it gets tight. It does not show up on imaging. We have a discussion on Connect about MFR if you search for it where you can learn more. I do this a lot to maintain body alignment by releasing restrictive tissue and I work on the surgical scar tissue and it relieves the pain. I have also done this on my ankle with surgical scars from a fracture fix. That lets the joint function better instead of binding up from tightness. It also reduces wear and tear if the body moves properly.
Do you think this would be something to try?