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Spinal Fusion issues
All, I am currently 27 years old and have undergone multiple lumber surgeries and have had constant issues. In June 2020 I had a micro discectomy at my L5/S1. Approximately 6 months following I re-herniated the same disc and underwent an L5/S1 fusion in July 2021. I have dealt with constant chronic lumbar pain even after being prescribed pain killers and nerve blockers. In September 2023 I severely re-herniated the disc that was left in my L5/S1 that has severely compromised my right leg. Without getting an updated MRI my doctor inserted the minuteman device at my L4/L5 thinking this would relive pressure on my right sciatic nerve. This of course did not cure the right sciatic issue due to the disc at L5/S1 actually being herniated. My doc, not the one that did the first two procedures, says that the disc at the L5/S1 should have been completely removed prior to fusing it. Is this true? I am seeking guidance on this issue while I am waiting to be referred to the Savannah Spine Institute in Georgia, where I will likely undergo a surgery to possibly remove the remainder of the disc or just the herniated portion. My life has been completely overtaken and overwhelmed by my spine issues. I am a husband and father who currently goes from the bed to the recliner in hopes of one day being able to play with my daughter, and be the husband my wife once had. Any and all guidance is greatly appreciated.
-Myles
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I don’t see anyone using their doctors names. Is there a rule against it?
I’m not sure about this either. In my case it’s simply not relevant, as this was many years ago and the doctor is long retired.
@jksawyers
If you have a need to know their is a PM private message option for your use.
@jksawyers Members can mention their doctors by name, but if there are negative comments attacking them, the moderators would likely intervene. Honest factual posts even if something went wrong are usually allowed. You can always review the terms of use which states the community guidelines. I had 5 spine surgeons miss my correct diagnosis and refuse to help me. I choose not to mention them by name. They are all good surgeons but just didn't understand my complex issue. I advocated for myself and kept looking until I found a more knowledgeable surgeon who happened to be at Mayo. By leaving their name out of it, I can be completely honest about the specifics of what they missed and provide that information to other members. If I had to worry about a doctor getting upset at me for naming them, it would cause me to hesitate before sharing information. You also may of course use private messages.
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5 ReactionsI can’t figure out how to select your name when it pops up in PMs. When I select it, it disappears. I tried typing it with the @ symbol and without it. Frustrating! Also, where do I find forum guidelines ? Thank you
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1 Reaction@jksawyers Here are the Community Guidelines.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
There are more legal agreements here and you can get to this from a link in the Community Guidelines.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/terms-of-use/
If you are sending a private message, just type the name and it will "disappear" when you hit enter, but you will see it to the side. I think it does this in case you are messaging more than one person at the same time so you can add more names. For example, if you are messaging me in a post or a private message, you send it to me by typing @jenniferhunter with no spaces.
Also know that posts on Connect are public and searchable on the internet, so if you do type a doctor's name, someone may find your post with a search even if they are not a member of Connect. If there are possible legal issues, you probably don't want to make a public post about something that could be used against you if they trace it to you because of the content.
@maltamoch7 I think by maintaining core strength, you have probably helped yourself because that supports the spine. Being athletic can also hinder if your spine is getting jarred with exercise. The discs are acting like shock absorbers and when they start to shrink or collapse, that will put more pressure on the facet joints that may lead to wear and tear. I have read a lot on this, and the facet joints support 20% of the weight and the rest on the disc (I have also seen 30% suggested). I had a disc in my neck collapse by 50% and it did cause some facet arthritis.
On a positive note, when I asked my spine surgeon how to avoid needing more in the future, he told me to maintain my core strength. I own a gaited horse and riding him really helps my core strength. He doesn’t trot. I also have the work of lifting a heavy saddle up to my shoulder height and loading it in and out of my vehicle when I go see my horse. So that’s my plan to stay out of more spine problems.
I am 20 yrs old and I had my L5 and S1 "fused" July 2024, my pain has been worsening since. My hardware is intact, the left side is fused while the right isn't. Yet this isn't the source of my pain according to my doc. I am currently in pain management, I use a heating pad and heated seats, I can't work anymore even in pain management. I tried patches, injections, muscle relaxers, gabapentin, tens unit none of those helped. I am thinking about asking my doctor about a SPECT-CT (supposed to help locate pain on a specialized ct scan).
I hope that you can find some relief some type of way, back pain is the worst. I wish there was a better working treatment instead of the fusion surgeries.
@mpar6771 Welcome to Connect. It must be frustrating to keep enduring pain. I have had a situation of nerve compression from thoracic outlet syndrome in addition to being a cervical spine surgery patient. I have done a lot of physical therapy and my PT has done a therapy called myofascial release that has helped me a lot by loosening up tight tissue. Surgery creates scar tissue and that can lead to pain when it gets tight. It does not show up on imaging. We have a discussion on Connect about MFR if you search for it where you can learn more. I do this a lot to maintain body alignment by releasing restrictive tissue and I work on the surgical scar tissue and it relieves the pain. I have also done this on my ankle with surgical scars from a fracture fix. That lets the joint function better instead of binding up from tightness. It also reduces wear and tear if the body moves properly.
Do you think this would be something to try?
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2 Reactions@mpar6771 Some doctors are fusion crazy. I had L5-S1 fused 11 years ago and still working with a pain specialist for 7 years. He has tried 10 minimally evasive procedures with no improvement. You may want to try a spinal stimulator. It helps many people. The only thing that I take is Norco. It gives my 50% of a normal life back and I live alone.
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