Scoliosis Surgey 1981

Hello Martie, I had Scoliosis surgery (T2 to L2) along with a Harrington implant in 1977.

Everything has been fine with that section of my back, but over the years, I started experiencing pain below my spinal fusion. The initial pain was due to a Bulging Disc in the early 90's that was managed with physical therapy for years. In 2022, I started experiencing a different type of pain, and consulted with the Orthopedic Chair at the local university medical school. L2 - S1 had a multitude of problems, including DDD, spinal stenosis, lateral listhesis spondylolosthesis, flat back, Bertolotti's, Tarlov cysts (asymptomatic), et cetera.

I went through the conservative management spectrum--physical therapy, and nerve block injections to potentially identify nerves for ablation. Unfortunately, with the complexity of my back, the specialist was not able to find the source of my pain.

I sought a second opinion from a top tier hospital and went through the same routine.

Next --Surgery was recommended. Unfortunately, the Ortho Chair no longer did cases like mine. He recommended a younger doc that had limited years of experience.

After I expressed a concern, I was referred to another surgeon with more experience. The surgeon planned to remove all my existing hardware and replace it with new hardware, while correcting the issues in my lower back. As my prior rod and fusion were fine, I was reluctant to have my hardware removed.

This led Dr. Jeremy Fogelson at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Dr. Fogelson planned to leave my existing hardware in my back, correcting my problems and fusing my back from my T10 to pelvis. Additionally, due to the arthritis in my Sacroilliac (SI)Joints, it was recommended for me to have my SI joints fused.

I had my SI joint fusions with Dr. William Cross on day one ( 2 hours max) and the spinal surgery with Dr Foegelson on Day 2. ( 11 hours)

Fast forward--that was exactly 8 months ago. My chronic pain is gone. I do occasionally get sore when I sit for too long. I am so happy I had the surgery. I still need to ice periodically. I am walking 2 miles a day, and doing strengthening exercises.
I had some right leg numbness and tingling in my calf and foot before my surgery and that still remains. I have been advised, by several doctors, that nerve recovery can take 1 1/2 to 2 years--and it may never go away. ( I should not have waited so long to have the surgery--but I had/have Osteoporosis and was on teriparatide to strengthen my bones before and after surgery.)

I highly recommend Dr. Fogelson as he focuses on Scoliosis and complex cases.

Best wishes!
Nadine

@nlback22 I'm not taking any drugs for the nerves, just vitamin B12, magnesium and D3 which I read are good for nerves. I'm going to purchase / try R-alpha-lipoic acid too. I visited a neurosurgeon today but he didn't have much to add. He reviewed my pre-surgery CT scans and MRIs and said that he feels my surgery was the right one. He also mentioned the con about having surgery far from home, which is that it would be harder to have follow ups. But yes, after my upcoming MRI, depending on what Dr. M says, I'll consider Phoenix.

@nlback22
Thank you for all your input and information, everything you mentioned including stenosis I am there I have everything you named. For bow we concentrating on my cervical & nerve root to see how extensive it is. I shuld have more answers next week as all scans were completed yesterday. I will say it is scary as I am no longer 13 and have delt with everything all my life but it is now to a point of excruciating pain & feeling helpless.I am so happy your surgery worked and you are pain free for the most part.

Best wishes,
Martie

@martie67
Hello Martie,
Sorry you're in so much pain.
I know it's difficult..just know that with the right steps and right surgeon your pain will lessen. You're about 10 years younger than I am and that is in your favor.
Let us know how things progress. With this group, you are not alone.
🙏🙏🙏
Nadine