1. < Spine Health

Spine Fusion options L5 S1

Posted by mpietz11 @mpietz11, Jan 2, 2018

So I am looking for some direction. I literally live in pain everyday. I am a 29 year old male. I have had 2. L5-S1 back surgeries. The first was in high school where they did a partial discectomy with a lamenectomy. The second was in 2011 where a different doctor did another partial discectomy. I have had a few consults since then but am very nervous about my options. I have had another MRI and reads that I have two more small buldges on that level and that the level is compressing with lots of scar tissue. I am taking Percocet every 3 hours (10-325)just to function through the day. I cant even hardly walk with out them. The consensus I keep getting from a few doctors are saying they don't want to fuse that level due to stress on levels above and below it and having more issues within 5 years. I have tried injections, therapy, massages, tens units, pretty much if it's out there I've tried it. One doctor even said to try another discectomy, which I thought was crazy. I really need some help from people that truly care about my well being. Please help and give me some direction from the best doctors available! I am struggling!!!!

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sober395 | @sober395 | Mar 31, 2021
In reply to @gailb "@mpietz11 I too want to welcome you to the Mayo Connect community. I have had direct..." + (show)
@gailb

@mpietz11 I too want to welcome you to the Mayo Connect community. I have had direct experience with my L5-S1 for which I had a laminectomy Dec 2016. My surgery has been successful in relieving the pain on my right side. However, I continued with nearly debilitating pain on the right side of my back, hip, thigh, knee, ankle and toes. I couldn't go up or down steps & I couldn't walk without tremendous pain. My back surgeon encouraged me to look for relief from everything other than surgery. I tried acupuncture, massage, physical therapy and pills, but nothing worked. Then, on Mayo Connect, I read about ART, Active Release Technique therapy. I did research on Google and found a qualified chiropractor in my area. Within 2 months, using ART & laser treatments, my pain was minimal. I am currently without pain and have been this way for at least 6 months. I go once a month for tweeks to make sure everything is good.

I cannot imagine having 2 laminectomies and still being in pain. I recommend that you contact a Mayo site close to you for an examination. I have had direct experiences with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I know they are excellent and thorough diagnosticians and physicians. I talked briefly to someone in the research group that is looking at stem cell therapy. If you call them they will let you know how they work. The cost for most stem cell injection was about $7,000 - $12,000 when I asked about it a year ago. It's not covered by insurance.

One of the most important things in any surgery is the competence of the surgeon. I was lucky to have a nurse neighbor and she recommended a surgeon at St. Jude's Physicians near me. I always tell my friends to get recommendations for all health caretakers, online research about the physician and the hospital to assure you have excellent care.

I'm hoping others in our community will share their information with you, and you find some answers, or things to try.

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Hi all, I have been in severe pain for over 8 years, 4 failed surgeries, one of those was a revision which was incredibly difficult. L4/5 is fused, L5/S1 was fused in 2019 when doctor found the disc torn in half. This fusion also failed with no bone growth and the hardware now loosening. I have degenerative disc disease and have no plans to have more surgeries. What I know now is avoid surgery at all cost. Success in resolving pain via surgery is a coin toss even if you have a successful osseous union. All surgeries done at high end hospitals with top tier surgeons. Fusion surgery is still in the dark ages. Electro-ceutical implants, stem cells, are probably the future but cost always comes into play for me, so I understand. I had to retire in Nov. 2020 because of all this mess. I have tried every treatment known to man except an implanted stimulator with zero positive results. Stim was ruled out for me by every doctor I have had. Pain is crippling...we can split an atom but we cannot find a non invasive solution to chronic back pain. Although expensive, stem cell still may be cheaper than the copays over time on other treatment. I Have over a $million dollars of insurance money into this....keep that in mind when making decision. Be well and take your time. Desperation has driven most of my decisions...which were wrong
2959 days of crippling pain and counting.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 31, 2021

@sober395 I'm so sorry your still in pain . I have seen to many failed back surgeries I try to avoid this path by going to chiropractor, acupuncture and plane old ice,heat therapy for me this eliminates the pain then I can do gentle stretching now I'm up to chair exercises but the stretching of the muscles and bones has helped me a lot 😀 I've had 2 back fractures and impinged nerves Pool aerobics works for me and is easier on the joints I hope you get some relief.

REPLY
wisco50 | @wisco50 | Mar 31, 2021
In reply to @sober395 "Hi all, I have been in severe pain for over 8 years, 4 failed surgeries, one..." + (show)
@sober395

Hi all, I have been in severe pain for over 8 years, 4 failed surgeries, one of those was a revision which was incredibly difficult. L4/5 is fused, L5/S1 was fused in 2019 when doctor found the disc torn in half. This fusion also failed with no bone growth and the hardware now loosening. I have degenerative disc disease and have no plans to have more surgeries. What I know now is avoid surgery at all cost. Success in resolving pain via surgery is a coin toss even if you have a successful osseous union. All surgeries done at high end hospitals with top tier surgeons. Fusion surgery is still in the dark ages. Electro-ceutical implants, stem cells, are probably the future but cost always comes into play for me, so I understand. I had to retire in Nov. 2020 because of all this mess. I have tried every treatment known to man except an implanted stimulator with zero positive results. Stim was ruled out for me by every doctor I have had. Pain is crippling...we can split an atom but we cannot find a non invasive solution to chronic back pain. Although expensive, stem cell still may be cheaper than the copays over time on other treatment. I Have over a $million dollars of insurance money into this....keep that in mind when making decision. Be well and take your time. Desperation has driven most of my decisions...which were wrong
2959 days of crippling pain and counting.

Jump to this post

Good grief, I am so sorry. That sounds miserable. I appreciate your comparison about splitting atoms but not being able to fix back pain problems.

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