Spinal Surgery years ago, then sciatica, and now horrible pain

[ladams9200]

I had a double "S" curve, over 80 degrees, and had spinal fusion surgery in 1995 and 1996. Had just the normal pain here and there over the years and then last year, I had sciatica in my right leg which had me flat for over a week. Since then, I have been having terrible, excrutiating (sp?) pain in my legs, lower back, hips, etc. and can't seem to sleep, walk well, stand, or sit for a long period of time. I'm scared to go back to the doc and really don't know who to see because my doc was a ped. ortho surgeon and everyone else "runs away" from me when I tell them my past health issues. Anyone have any ideas what this could be from? Could the rods have come loose? I just don't know. I find that I'm starting to be curved again also. Is that even possible with the rods? But, other people are starting to notice so it's not just my imagination. Any ideas would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance,
Laura in Ohio :o

[LindaRacine]

Hi Laura...

It could be almost anything, but I think the most likely hing is that you have a problem in unfused discs above or below your original fusion.

You should try to find a surgeon who specializes in treating adults with scoliosis, and even more importantly, has experience treating patients with prior fusions.

Best of luck!

Regards,
Linda

[rainbow2010]

I had the same problem with pain below my fusion. It turned out that it kept growing on its own and I had to have some of the extra fusion removed. Find an ortho that deals with adult scoliosis and the aging spine. I found one near where I live now (over 1000 miles from where I had my original surgery) and he had been trained by my original doctor!

[Qikdraw]

Laura,

What you are describing is exactly why I searched out a scoliosis forum. I also had an 's' curve, but over 100 degrees. I had my surgery in 1983 with the insertion of two Luque rods from T2-L4.

In 2000 I went to see one of the doctors that did my surgery and he said that what was likely causing all my lower back pain, numbness of the leg, difficulty standing or sitting for long periods, and difficulty sleeping was a degeneration of the discs below the fusion.

Its now 2008 and I had to stop working completely in January because of constant shooting pains in my right leg, and extreme lower back pain. It started working its way into my left leg as well. I am currently fighting with my doctors who seem to be ignoring my previous doctors reports that I gave them. I have not had one xray in the 7 months I have been dealing with these doctors, even though I have requested them. I've had fset blocks, which turned the pain from a sharp jab to an ache. But this is not a solution.

This neurologist wants to do a CT Myelogram on me, even though I have told him the steel rods in my spine will mess up the CT scan. They've tried one before many years ago and it didn't work. I canceled the appointment to do the Myelogram, and am now trying to get a second opinion from a orthopedic doctor, I'll find out how successful I am at that on friday. (the reason for me to not have a myelogram is the last one I had before my surgery I was in the hospital for a week with a headache so back I couldn't stand up, I'm not going to go through with that and find out the CT scan didn't work.)

So what you might look for is a degeneration of the discs below your fusion. As far as more curving... I know that when I am in pain, and am really mentally tired I tend to curl over again. My body still remembers how it was and seems to want to go back. So it may not be a problem with your fusion, although I would definately get an xray to find out for sure. See your primary care phsycian and see if you can get sent to a specialist.

I've found that lots of time spent in a hot tub or pool helps.

Let me know how things are going for you. I'll keep you updated on my situation as well.

Regards,

Brad

[Qikdraw]

Well I went to my primary care doctor today, and I am getting a referral for an Ortho doc, hopefully one with scoliosis experience.

I just hope insurance will allow it, if not I'll be unhappy.

Brad

[txmarinemom]

Well I went to my primary care doctor today, and I am getting a referral for an Ortho doc, hopefully one with scoliosis experience.

I just hope insurance will allow it, if not I'll be unhappy.

Brad

Brad ... can't you demand a certain type of *qualified* (i.e., SRS) ortho - or at least see the ortho they pick and tell HIM what you want? You are certainly going to have to be assertive, but seeing someone unqualified is worse than seeing NO ONE, ya know?

An HMO (I assume you're on an HMO with the whole referral thing) wouldn't send you to an internist if you needed an oncologist: The simple fact you have hardware ~already~ should facilitate a speedier trek to a competent and knowledgeable doctor ...

What exactly did your PCP *say* about the coming referral? Have you checked your plan provisions?

Pam

[Qikdraw]

I've been demanding xrays since January, but haven't got one yet. Even after complaining to the HMO. They're mostly ignoring me. Today I finally got them to at least refer me to a ortho. Will it work? I donno.

Am I frustrated? Yes. Extremely.


Brad

[Qikdraw]

Pam

I found this today.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1682.html

Its about disc replacement, and the article is by the guy who did my surgery. I am going to send him a letter about this. I'm hoping to be able to see him, even if I have to beg money from family to do so. My insurance sucks and the doctors I am seeing here really have no clue as to what they are doing.

I was supposed to do a bit of painting today, but I woke up and the entire right side of my body is numb and tingly. So I'm putting off painting for awhile. lol

Brad