1. < Spine Health
Profile picture for jmac3690

Failed spinal fusions L2345/L1 now ruptured, back locks up

Posted by jmac3690 @jmac3690, Mar 26 2:41pm

Spinal stenosis for which i did i jections for 4 years-then surgery. I have had two spinal fusions (L3-4-5) and then L2 ruptured. Surgeon did discectomy of L2. 6 months later L2 fell into L3 so he did a revision so now I have L2-3-4-5 second fusion. Then ruptured L 1 about 15 months ago sirgeon did discectomy on L1. I am left with unbearable pain in back and left thigh cramping that leads to intense back pain and L 2-3 rupture as well. Been doing injections no relief back locked up 3 times since Jan 1. My surgeon wants to discuss yet another surgery as nothing is helping. I am in so much pain cannot stand up hold my own weight some days.
2 failed back syndrome, radiculopathy, nerve root disorder. My surgein is director and spine surgeon of entire orthopedic floor at major Houston hospital 5 star rated but I am terrified. Any suggestions appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Profile picture for bassetmom
bassetmom | @bassetmom | Mar 27 7:03am

FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AT ANOTHER FACILITY, I'D TRY A NEUROSURGEON. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY OUT OF TOWN, SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED EXPERT HELP. I've gone to ortho and neurosurgeons for help with my spine. I prefer neurosurgeons perhaps b/c I had a neurosurgeon fix my lower spine 50 years ago when I ruptured a disc. If you find a surgeon who is highly rated somewhere else, you can ask if he/she will review your records first without your having to travel and get his/her opinion. Depending on your insurance, you do not always need a referral. AND I have had good luck with going to US News and World Report to find a highly ranking hospital based on the illness. Not all hospitals are best in all things. Good luck... find another surgeon!

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Mar 27 7:50am
In reply to @bassetmom "FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AT ANOTHER FACILITY, I'D TRY A NEUROSURGEON. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO..." + (show)
Profile picture for bassetmom @bassetmom

FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AT ANOTHER FACILITY, I'D TRY A NEUROSURGEON. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY OUT OF TOWN, SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED EXPERT HELP. I've gone to ortho and neurosurgeons for help with my spine. I prefer neurosurgeons perhaps b/c I had a neurosurgeon fix my lower spine 50 years ago when I ruptured a disc. If you find a surgeon who is highly rated somewhere else, you can ask if he/she will review your records first without your having to travel and get his/her opinion. Depending on your insurance, you do not always need a referral. AND I have had good luck with going to US News and World Report to find a highly ranking hospital based on the illness. Not all hospitals are best in all things. Good luck... find another surgeon!

Jump to this post

Hi @bassetmom, it looked like you tried sharing the link for the U.S. News and World Report rankings. Let me share that link for you, https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/neurology-and-neurosurgery.

REPLY
Profile picture for bassetmom
bassetmom | @bassetmom | Mar 27 3:10pm

One more thing: I saw in this forum that one person had spinal fusion with a Dr. Jeremy Fogelson at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and spoke very highly of him. I have been seeing a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL., Dr. Kingsley Abode. Although I have not yet had spinal surgery, Dr. Abode is also highly respected and recommended. If you could get in to see either of them, or arrange to have your records and images sent to either of them for a second opinion, so to speak, I think that would be a good place to start.

REPLY
Profile picture for jmac3690
jmac3690 | @jmac3690 | Mar 27 7:54pm

My granddaughter lives in Jacksonville but I actually traveled to Rochester back in
2005 for diagnosis and icd implant. So thank you for info.
Need one who sees/does lot of revisions.
THANK YOU

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for bassetmom
bassetmom | @bassetmom | Mar 28 5:26am
In reply to @jmac3690 "My granddaughter lives in Jacksonville but I actually traveled to Rochester back in 2005 for diagnosis..." + (show)
Profile picture for jmac3690 @jmac3690

My granddaughter lives in Jacksonville but I actually traveled to Rochester back in
2005 for diagnosis and icd implant. So thank you for info.
Need one who sees/does lot of revisions.
THANK YOU

Jump to this post

@jmac3690 I do believe they do it all at Mayo, either Jax or Rochester. It's worth a try. Neurosurgeon, I would say.

REPLY
Profile picture for jmac3690
jmac3690 | @jmac3690 | Mar 29 7:53am
In reply to @bassetmom "FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AT ANOTHER FACILITY, I'D TRY A NEUROSURGEON. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO..." + (show)
Profile picture for bassetmom @bassetmom

FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AT ANOTHER FACILITY, I'D TRY A NEUROSURGEON. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY OUT OF TOWN, SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED EXPERT HELP. I've gone to ortho and neurosurgeons for help with my spine. I prefer neurosurgeons perhaps b/c I had a neurosurgeon fix my lower spine 50 years ago when I ruptured a disc. If you find a surgeon who is highly rated somewhere else, you can ask if he/she will review your records first without your having to travel and get his/her opinion. Depending on your insurance, you do not always need a referral. AND I have had good luck with going to US News and World Report to find a highly ranking hospital based on the illness. Not all hospitals are best in all things. Good luck... find another surgeon!

Jump to this post

@bassetmom
Thank you! I hadn’t thought about the non travel option. I just want to walk and swim again. Was swim teacher with my own swim school for 15 years til couldn't help pick up kids anymore or bend over in water.
Im old now so….

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.