as a child in the 50s s, , basically an infection in my bones, apparently my family didn't know. I know now. at 68 and retired from the medical field I've had fusion at c 5-5-7 also lumbar 3,4 herniated and L-5 exploded and is gone, 11 wks. ago fell on my butt and am trying to recover from a L-1 compression fracture, no surgery, no walk again. kind expert on back pain if you have a GOOD NEUROSURGEON, and huts beyond belief, go ahead, be careful things are probably going to get worse. good night,, and good luck

Im an Orthopedic RN and I too havr a screwed up spine due to Ehlers Danlose Syndrome. NO , a fusion doesn't reverse or prevent degeneration. In some cases it's the only way to open up the space between the vertebrae that collapsed due to different factors and is inpinging those nerves which caused pain. Before you decide to have a fusion PLEASE look at other options. Fusion or any spinal surgery should be the last resort. I'll list other options to discuss with your surgeon. 1) I believe that Neurosurgeons are. Better

I haven't been told of options besides fusion except injections which I did that have not stopped the throbbing after I walk. Also, acupuncture which didn't help, ablation which I tried once and didn't help. I asked again if I could do ablation again and was told it wouldn't help me. It seems they are hellbent on doing surgery or just injections. I would love to hear any suggestions you have. I am in NYC area with many spine surgeons. Can you recommend a neurosurgeon ? I would travel if it meant having a surgeon I trusted. Someone recommended a surgeon at Northwestern that I am going to look into. Thanks

annie1, fusion helps with DDD because it removes the disc. It will prevent spondylosis or lithesis at the fused levels. You sacrifice flexibility and relieve a majority of the pain. The artificial discs seem like a better bet because you retain more flexibility. And the success rates are high.
If I were looking at surgery, I'd post my location here and ask this group who the good and the other surgeons are. If you look on the internet you can find unscreened opinions, but you can look at number of surgeries. I always look at publications for someone who is focused on my issue. The disc surgeries are newer than fusion, so you want someone experienced. It is so difficult to make these decisions while in pain. Difficult to even do the research. If you have copies of your MRIs you can send them out. Bless your search.
I've seen and heard excellent results from this doctor https://www.rasoulispine.com/thepractice
Anyone else out there with a Surgeon to recommend?

annie1 https://www.nyspine.com/orthopedic-services/total-disc-replacement/
hi, it is usually damage to the disc that allows the vertebrae to slip forward, so removing the disc and fusing or replacing the disc should solve that issue. It may be that the surgeons you consulted aren't practiced in artificial disc surgery or that it wouldn't advantage your situation. I'm not familiar with the linked service above, but if you google artificial discs, you'll find more surgeons.

Im sorry I missed that you had already tried a SCS. Im in the exact situation you are with osteoporosis and that nothing else worked for me. Im sorry I didn't mean to scare you with the Intracept details but I am very confident that The Intracept Procedure is the next step for me. Reason is that while it is a little more aggressive than an RFA, is works better because of how its is done. That is also why Boston Scientific trains and certify these doctors on how to use their equipment . They get hands on experience from the doctors who are training them. They dont get their certification unless they pass the hands on part. Its not a classroom type of training. I actually know one of their trainers. He is at UCSF- Univ of CA San Francisco . If you would like to speak to him I'll get you his contact info.

If I had a spine surgery tomorrow, my neurosurgeon ( who only does difficult , deformed or severe scoliosis patients which I am now) he would have to fuse several vertebraes AND run a rod down my spine. He was the one who suggested that I do the Intracept procedure first because that should give me enough pain relief to avoid having the multi-level fussions and rod. If I still had an area where the Intracept didn't help me THEN he would do a fusion at that One site VS T12- L5.

Don't ever be discouraged or take it personally if a surgeon refuses to do a surgery . They are telling you that your case is out of their league. I would respect them for saying that because they are being honest.

Yes I would like to talk to the guy about the intracept procedure. I haven't heard anyone in the New York area ever mentioned that but most of those surgeons obviously just want to do surgery. I'm having a little problem also with my family and I probably shouldn't be asking them or telling them as much as I do. I guess they're concerned about my pain and also a little impatient that I'm not just going ahead with fusion. They asked me well what's the success rate for fusion and I have to explain to them that it's not that simple question but they only have limited capacity to listen to me. I also worry myself that I might have permanent nerve damage since I've had stenosis for 7 years. The laminotomy did help like I said but it came back after four and a half months, that is the throbbing twitching pain. So please send that number for that intercept doctor. Thanks so much

I actually need the same answer. I have a narrowing in my spinal canal, and I am at the point where the weakness in my arm is causing me to drop things; that is, if I don't use my stronger arm to compensate. I have tried injections (to no avail) more than once, and the spinal cord stimulator just doesn't appeal to me. There are no meds that can help with the pain. I got 2 opinions from 2 different surgeons, the latest one says fusion is the only thing that makes sense at this point. Any suggestions are welcome.

Jackiet,

I thought Annie and I were talking about the Intercept procedure. Annie can you please confirm.

Sorry for any confusion,

Seán