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Three Level Lumbar Spine Fusion
I have degenerative disk disease through out my entire spine. I only have pain in the Lumbar region. Severe pain for the last 10 years. After visiting with Dr. Huddleston at Mayo- he has recommended this fusion. There is so much to consider long-term. I am hoping to gain some direction from anyone that has experience. Thanks so much for your time!
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Thanks for the reply, I had 40 treatments of radiation for prostate cancer and PSA was 1.7 and doctor says that is great. In the meantime I hurt my back and he decided to rule out bone cancer. So it is not bone cancer and MRI says L-7 compression. I will see a spine doctor here tomorrow and do plan on going to Mayo if I need to. I can bear the pain but my legs are cold and it feels like I am always walking on rocks and very uncomfortable. Thanks for the info on Dr Huddleston.
Jimmy, I'm hoping you're doing well and have found reliable information that you feel good about. By now you've found out more about your back and If you have an L-7 that would be very odd. Most folks have L1-L5 and then S. I am thinking you should ask about having your nerves treated by radiofrequency treatment. I had that done and It helped so much. It was a start and helped momentarily. I am so sorry about your cancer and now the pain you're in. I had back problems...then melanoma. Remember, Mayo is such a wonderful place!
Thanks! I am doing better, able to do my ranch work. Will see the orthopedic again on April 26, he didn't rush me on my decision. It was not an emergency as the cancer clinic thought. My cancer is in remission and I won't go back for 6 months. I am thinking I will go for a second opinion on back although I believe this doctor was truthful and I may let him do the surgery because it is only 80 miles from home. It is the L-5 compression fracture and spinal stenosis, could just be age related but I did do heavy lifting and heard a loud pop on Jan 21. What doctor doess radio frequency? Thanks again and good luck to you.
I see one of the best spina surgeons in the USA~ he works on California 49er football team injuries. I did every injection, spine therapy, pain killer for 10 yrs. A dr wanted to do a lower lumbar fusion. I went to the dr above for a 2nd opinion and I am so glad I did. A 10 minute exam revealed most of my pain was being generated from Facet Joints and not discs! Yes I have degenerative disc disease, leaking discs, arthritis and a few other big words but... can your pain be produced when someone pushes on your spine? When you sit up against something does it hurt? You see... my dr sad that disk pain comes from within and cannnot be induced by physical exam and that was his clue to Facet Joint pain. This is important because 1. If they can perform a Neurotomy (burn some nerve pain sgnals) and reduce your pain 50% or more~ would u be "fused"? 2. My dr said that DDD is progressive and fusing the lower 3 or even 5 will ultimately cause collapse of those above s he won't fuse any DDD patient unti 7 discs are bad. I am recovering from my 7th nerve burning in 8 years. Well worth it!
Im sorry to hear it it didn't go well. Thanks for sharing
Hi Sageaction,
If I have this correct and using this reply correctly, you indicated on December 8, 2011 that you had a two level fusion and a "disc replaced" from Dr. Huddleston. Replacement discs are a bit rare - but then there is Mayo. I have suffered back pain issues for 32 years and on six varying: pain, anti-inflamatory and muscle control drugs, Lidocane & Flector Patches. In all 32 years I have spent or lost over a quarter-of-a-million dollars in medical, PT, procedures, drugs, travel for medical, lost time from work. I too have the almost identical scenario L4-L5 L5-S1 fused 12 years ago and because this wears out the next level every 10 or so years, this past December had the artificial disc procedure done in Barcelona by a world spine neurosurgeon (Germany is the epicenter that invented the artificial disc in the mid 80's for an athlete and these facilities are the core of best learning center in Europe). I went there because i wanted the Spinal Kinetics M6-L disc (a standard for about the last 10 years). This was $29k cash and I am in the process of endeavoring reimbursement from my insurer. We will see where that goes, appeal etc. I am doing very well.
As you are aware, friends and extended family seem to know someone with escalating situations with back issues and many are treatable with PT, Meds, RF Ablation, etc - which you seem a tune to in your postings. However, some situations potentially suggest an artificial disc may be a wise consideration. So I am looking for resources in the US to refer people to. You, being six yours out have a story to tell. May I ask how you are doing, meds, any problems with facet joint pain in the artificial disc region? Also, I am interested in finding out what artificial disc people had surgically implanted?
Thanks for considering sharing.
Best of health to you.
Jim Peterson - Chicago
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1 ReactionHi Susansman,
I read your January 17, 2012 post about your fusion from 12 years prior and on Fentynal patches. I found that every 10 years the next level disc wears out due to the friction from the two fused bones - as you move, etc. After long research of my 12 year mark after double level fusion surgery (now 32 year of pain) my research found that an "artificial disc" was the best solution. I flew to Barcelona to a world neurosurgeon to have the *Spinal Kinetics M6-L implanted on top of my L4-L5 L5-S1 fusion at level L3-L4. This was in December 2016 and I am fantastic. I paid $29k and am trying to get reimbursement from insurance. I see that Mayo offers an artificial disc, according to the posting by another patient. My point is, the right decision was what I refer to as one of the top ten best decisions I made in my life.
I am attempting to find out if you went to Mayo and elected an artificial disc? If so, what brand/model? How are you doing, meds, etc.
I appreciate your consideration to respond. To be clear, I am asking so I have a place in the US to refer people to. Many wont do what I did.
Best regards.
Jim Peterson - Chicago
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1 Reaction@jrchicago Hi Jim and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm so glad that you found this website and that you have shared your story about your journey to get help. I admire how proactive you have been in order to feel better! I'll be interested to hear from others who have had the artificial disc and see what is being said about it. Here is a Mayo website http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/expert-answers/disk-replacement/faq-20057995 where this disc replacement is briefly discussed. Dr. Paul M. Huddleston, III, who wrote this article, seems well known in orthopedic care, here is his website, http://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/huddleston-paul-m-iii-m-d/bio-20053564. Glad to hear that you are feeling better with your new disc, Jim. Keep in touch with Mayo Connect, I think you will find the support here very beneficial and you will undoubtedly have much to offer to the discussions as well. Teresa
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1 ReactionI had the l3 disc replaced and hardware removed from previous fusion and new put in over the l3 l4 and l5 and am 4 1/2 weeks post op. Still in a lot of pain from lower back down. I'm wondering if this is normal at this point.
Hello @sarcher and Welcome to Connect. @jrchicago has also recently joined us and has some questions on artificial disc replacement. Perhaps you can help each other. If you would like to join in on a conversation with @predictable, Volunteer Mentor here on Connect What To Expect with Spine Surgery click here http://mayocl.in/2pjOh4L
@sarcher, have you talked to your doctor about the continued pain?
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