Is your pain worse than before? Do regret your original decision for surgery?

[lberg]

I have only an 30t and 41L I am 43 and have had my 2nd appt with an ortho who has said that I need surgery anytime, I could wait up to 5 years if I could handle the pain. My problem is herniated bulging disks in lower lumbar ddd, bone spurs and osteoarthritis.
He says he can stop the progression of the disease but can't figure out why I have numbness buzzing in my feet and hands and can not be sure if my pain will go away. I get sciatic pain and freeze up after a 3-4 hour day of standing and walking and later after a day of movement I suffer all night long. Do you regret now after possibly more surgeries and revisions your original decision to do the 1st one? Is your quality of life improved? Does the hardware cause more pain and trouble than dealing with the disease? Thanks for your replies.

[Theresa]

I just replied to your other post. :)

[RoundTheTwist]

Hi there,

I am currently 15 weeks-ish post my revision or second surgery.
I am 31 and have 2 kids, I had my 1st surgery at 15 yrs and I never have and never will regret having it even though I have had to go on to have a 2nd Surgery. My pre-1st op curves were 40+t and 50+l and although I didn't get great correction at that time the progression of my curves were halted and I went on to have a completely 'normal' life until 2004 when I found out my old Harrington Rod was broken. Thankfully they no longer use these, but they were the only treatment on offer to me at the time of my first surgery when I was informed that the rate at which my curves were progressing at the age of 15 my prognosis was that I would most probably have been in a wheelchair by the age of 30.
I also have no regrets about this surgery either, even though I am frustrated as hell at not being allowed to drive yet and wearing a brace, but hey if I make it to past 60 with this op I will be laughing :p

So, yes my quality of life is excellent, and I am in less pain that I was before either of my surgeries, and personally i have never even noticed that I have any hardware, I can't feel it, never have, hopefully never will :D

Good Luck,

Kat x

[madnsn2]

Had Harr rod with 3 rods and hooks and wires at 14 in CA and lived pain free till 2 yrs ago now 40 and i think i have flaback syn, i go to ct scan on thur and then orth surg to f/up

I was told removal of rods could cause parlaization cause i have so much bone re growth on top of fusion. Im fully fused up till tail bone. My pain is so bad lying down is the only thing that feels ok. Its affecting my life to the point that i have NO life. Hurts to try on clothes at shops cant pick up my dog and worse is to stand fully erect is horrible painful so i lean forward. I was a actress and model and in pagenats and now walk in the past 2 yrs like im 80 i cant take it anymore and live alone so have no help nearby

[Karen Ocker]

I had a very complex revision at age 60--5 years ago and am pain free.
Choice of surgeon is most important--even if it means traveling- and going in for revision in the best physical shape possible.

Of course the younger the better.

Here is a forum discussing flatback syndrome and where others have found help:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Flatback_Revised/

[kazyn]

I regret my surgery (at the moment anyway). My back looks amazing now, but I am in so much more pain. I am now awaiting my third surgery in a year as my bone graft didn't take and my vertebrae are rubbing together.