Finally had the correct procedure after years of pain and steroid injections, facet joint injections, PT and Chiropractic therapy, had scoliosis spinal fusion surgery in late Jan this year and healing nicely, I'm 72
I have multiple problems with my lumbar spine. I told my spine doc absolutely no screw, rods or any hardware. I’ve not met anyone who had long term successful fusion surgery
I’m probably going to just have to live with this. I see the spine surgeon again in November. Just had a second MRI and dexascan, plus about 15 X-rays. He will compile and review all the tests and decide what he would recommend for treatment. If those words-fusion is necessary, I’ll simply say thank you and go home. I served for 48+ years as a firefighter/EMT, both civilian and military. Saw lot of guys get back injuries and subsequent fusion surgery. Not one of them were successful and they had to retire on a medical retirement. Young guys in their 30s and 40s out of a job because back surgery did them in. I simply will not allow that to happen to be. I’m 73, retired for 6 years now and don’t want my old age to be screwed up because of metal stuck in my spine. Fusing bones together and binding them with screws and rods seems unnatural.
Sorry to hear about your challenges. While I can't provide specific advice in your case, many people can find some relief with chiropractic or movement-based care after failed back surgery. It may be worth bringing up with your healthcare team for recommendations.
I'm about to have L4-L5 PLIF. I can not function a normal life. Can't bend or twist and can't perform simple tasks I used to do easily. There may be a risk, but living with it is not an option.
Patient will still in significant pain, fluid collection, multi-level spinal stenosis, etc. The surgery "may" have taken care of an issue lower in the Lumbar Spine; but the patient reports their symptoms were still relatively similar to what they experience pre-surgery.
What are symptoms of lumbar fusion L4/L5, my surgeon says my CT scan is vague as far as showing if I fused or not. Had surgery over a year and a half ago.
Best to follow up directly with your doctor for a full review and examination. In general, the symptoms of a failed fusion could be anything from pain, to numbness, amongst a host of additional challenges.
@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor I have seen about 3 Neuros and 2 Othros... 2 of them said they would revise the fusion at L4/L5 and also fuse L5/S1. One said from the front. The one who did the first Fusion from the back said from the back. I guess I am going to see if I can live like an 80 year old and when I get fed up probably have the surgery. Any idea if insurance gives you any break if you have to have a revision?
Hello Brad, I don't provide remote radiology reads. I'd recommend following up locally with a doctor who can review the imaging and provide a full in-person evaluation to determine the correct treatment plan. Best of luck moving forward.
@@Theevidencebasedchiropractor What I have found out dealing with back issues for about 5 or 6 years now, that seems to be the typical answer from most people. They don't want to get involved! Surgeons don't want to have anything to do with you if you already had surgery. Chiropractors wont touch you, and people are even afraid to read your CT scans. Not sure why when they read other MRI's and Scans but I do understand. Eventually I will figure it out or find the right surgeon that can tell me definitively what the issue is. It just amazes me it's 2022 and we don't have better imaging for back issues and things as simple as telling if someone's back fused or did it not fuse. I'll still watch your videos!
