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Neck,shoulder and hip pain after 2 fusions

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  • #1

    Neck,shoulder and hip pain after 2 fusions

    I was wondering if anyone else out there was in the same boat. I am really at the end of my rope. I had 2 spinal fusions, one in 1982 T3-L4, one in 1998
    revision surgery to extend my fusion to the sacrum and remove 2 bad lumbar discs and replace them with titanium cages. Now I have non-stop neck pain
    due to herniated, bulging and degenerating discs in my neck and frequent headaches. The orthopedic surgeon I am seeing now said I am not a candidate for any more spinal fusions because I'm already fused T3 to my sacrum.
    Last year I got bursitis in my hip and shoulder and the surgeon I saw told me that was normal for people with long fusions that the mechanical stress shifts to unfused segments of the spine and joints. I am over the depression part where I was disappointed that the first and second surgeries were not permanent answers. But I just don't know what to do now.
    I have tried cortisone shots,physical therapy,chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, you name it. I have been out of work on disability for 2 months because of the neck and shoulder pain.
    I work on my feet as lab technician all day and my orthopedist suggests that
    I get a sedentary/sitting job. I know he's right but I have to toss out an entire 16 year career. Has anyone else had these problems keep going on and on, to their neck,hip and shoulders? What to do?
    1982- Scoliosis fusion with Harrington rod T3-L4
    1998- revision surgery for flatback syndrome: fusion extended to sacrum, 2 discs removed/replaced with
    titanium spacers, 2 new short rods attached to Harrington rod, 6 pedicle screws
    2005-found out one screw was broken-surgeon said fusion is solid and not to worry
    2004 to now: neck, shoulder and hip pain, degenerative disc disease in neck, herniated and bulging discs in neck, bone spurs, arthritis
    Tags: None
  • #2
    We're in the same boat. I have tried everything you named-except chiros-, and also an osteopath specialist, wich helped me a GREAT deal the first two times I went to see him and then the pain came back with a vengenace so I quit that too. My neck and higher thoracic spine that is not fused(C1 to T4) gives me the same pain you have, pinching nerves and headaches. I have found that stress makes it much worse, and try to eliminate some of it-even though it's hard b/c life is stressfull, especially where I live- a big city. Icing helps, and massages. Acupuncture helped but just for a few hours after.

    I also haven't had a miracle happen after having had three surgeries and I do see that there are good things that happened(like less curve pain and a more even bodyshape) and bad things(like this additional pain, and hardware pain also for me around T5). I'm sorry I can't help you more, but for me that's what helps most-massages and relaxation/rest. I also try not to sit or stand for long periods of time, as it is best to alternate with people who have back pains.

    Take it easy, and hope you get some relief.
    Last edited by sweetness514; 08-31-2006, 02:09 PM.
    35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
    Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
    Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
    Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
    Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

    Comment

    • #3
      I'm not alone after-all

      Hi sweetness-
      thanks for your reply... I am beginning to feel really like pain has taken over my life because it never goes away. I had awesome results with the first
      acupuncture treatment and then nothing really good came of the ones following. I liked massage but I think that the deep tissue massage I had last time hurt me. What kind of massage have you found helpful and how often
      do you go?
      I know stress makes pain worse and have joked that I need to live in a stress-free place but there are none of those here on earth at least.Even with being out of work on disability and not under so much stress the pain is crazy.
      It is soooo...hard to try to work and deal with all the stress with the way it affects my body physically.Do you work? What kind of work do you do and how do you make it ergonomically possible for yourself? I need to get back to some kind of work but know I can't go back to being on my feet all day, eventually I'd need hip replacements at this rate. I was starting to panic because my chiropractor thinks I may have a torn rotator cuff, got an MRI of my shoulder and have to wait for my appt. with my local orthopedist (who is not a scoliosis specialist) to see what that report says. I can't get in to see my scolio specialist until November...
      Jan
      Last edited by janski66; 09-15-2006, 10:42 AM. Reason: too much info
      1982- Scoliosis fusion with Harrington rod T3-L4
      1998- revision surgery for flatback syndrome: fusion extended to sacrum, 2 discs removed/replaced with
      titanium spacers, 2 new short rods attached to Harrington rod, 6 pedicle screws
      2005-found out one screw was broken-surgeon said fusion is solid and not to worry
      2004 to now: neck, shoulder and hip pain, degenerative disc disease in neck, herniated and bulging discs in neck, bone spurs, arthritis

      Comment

      • #4
        Jan,

        It's when I read posts like yours that I have second thoughts about surgery. I would require a long fusion like yours. I'm 57 and have severe scoliosis but only minor pain from time to time. I sit all day at my job and manage quite well. I've never been treated, and I wonder if I underwent surgery if I would only be opening up a can of worms. An earlier post reveals that you are only 40. That is so young to be having all the problems you've encountered following surgery. Maybe it's just best to leave well enough alone.

        I wish you well.

        Chris

        Comment

        • #5
          Hi Chris,

          You are very lucky, so far. I am also 57 and same as you, had very little problem with pain......up until 7 months ago, and then it happened and hasn't stopped. I also was never treated, stayed active, had 3 children, and never even considered surgery until lately. Now I have to, or face no quality of life since my pain had taken over it. And like you, I worry that surgery will just lead to other problems, but at my point, I'm willing to risk it. Besides the pain, I've shrunk 2 1/2 inches in the last 4 years and my curvature has progressed quite a bit and looks like it won't stop until I'm so bad that I'll need a walker, or worse. So.......I'm going for it!! Everyone has to decide for themself, but being this age, I'm thinking I better do it now rather than later. Plus, I have heard of success stories too for us older patients, so I'm trying to have hope!
          Keep in touch of your decision!
          Berta
          Berta in Hawaii

          Comment

          • #6
            To Chris....

            Hi Chris-
            If you made it to 57 and aren't in a lot of pain, I'd probably stay away from surgery.It's always an individual decision though.I waited for 5 years before my last surgery until I was at the end of my rope in pain. I have been having problems since I was 15 but I had an S-curve of about 65-75 degrees and at that age the prognosis was not very good if left untreated. I might not be here now, enjoying the pain that I have now (ok, I've earned the right to be sarcastic...living like this is crazy)
            How large are your spinal curves? How long did they say your fusion would have to be? The spinal fusion I underwent was a real nightmare, not to scare you but I cannot imagine anything more horrible than that, and I was 32 then.
            I don't think I'd sign up for it at 57. I wish you all the best. I am so thankful for the friends I have found on these boards. I just wish I knew what to do with the rest of my career life, if there's anything left for me. See you around the boards. Jan
            1982- Scoliosis fusion with Harrington rod T3-L4
            1998- revision surgery for flatback syndrome: fusion extended to sacrum, 2 discs removed/replaced with
            titanium spacers, 2 new short rods attached to Harrington rod, 6 pedicle screws
            2005-found out one screw was broken-surgeon said fusion is solid and not to worry
            2004 to now: neck, shoulder and hip pain, degenerative disc disease in neck, herniated and bulging discs in neck, bone spurs, arthritis

            Comment

            • #7
              Jan,

              My curves are roughly 40/75 and I will require fusion from about T-5 to the pelvis. Like Berta, I too have lost 2.5 inches of height. I must say, considering all the pain you've experienced, you somehow manage to keep your sense of humor. I love your comment about being around now to enjoy all the pain you're in. There must be some help out there for you though.

              I am proceeding with caution regarding surgery and doing a lot of homework. I've seen two excellent surgeons and will be consulting with another one next month.

              Chris

              Comment

              • #8
                surgeons--who is the right one for you???

                My suggestion is when considering surgery: there are good surgeons and great surgeons. When the case is complex find the latter. Talking to that surgeon's patients who have a similar history to yours is a great source of information. And keep checking out that surgeon's track record.

                Not sure a chiro should touch a back which has fusion or hardware---especially the NECK. The nerves and blood vessels to the BRAIN run through the neck vertebrae. Shearing of the nerves and blood vessels have been reported in the literature and release of arteriosclerotic plaque has causes strokes, increased pain(my daughter-in-law's father), headaches and dizziness.
                I would also worry about damage to hardware not sure if this was ever documented.
                Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by janski66
                  Hi sweetness-
                  thanks for your reply... I am beginning to feel really like pain has taken over my life because it never goes away. I had awesome results with the first
                  acupuncture treatment and then nothing really good came of the ones following. I liked massage but I think that the deep tissue massage I had last time hurt me. What kind of massage have you found helpful and how often
                  do you go?
                  I know stress makes pain worse and have joked that I need to live in a stress-free place but there are none of those here on earth at least.Even with being out of work on disability and not under so much stress the pain is crazy.
                  It is soooo...hard to try to work and deal with all the stress with the way it affects my body physically.Do you work? What kind of work do you do and how do you make it ergonomically possible for yourself? I need to get back to some kind of work but know I can't go back to being on my feet all day, eventually I'd need hip replacements at this rate. I was starting to panic because my chiropractor thinks I may have a torn rotator cuff, got an MRI of my shoulder and have to wait for my appt. with my local orthopedist (who is not a scoliosis specialist) to see what that report says. I can't get in to see my scolio specialist until November...the job that is opening up for me which is 95% sedentary starts mid September. I am really hoping I can do that job....and that maybe I won't need surgery. I know it sounds desperate asking a stranger but what do you think I should do? Start the new job or stay out on disability and see if surgery can fix me? thanks for any advice....
                  Jan
                  Hi,

                  I'm sorry I edited my post to say I haven't been to a chiro like you, it's the only treatment I didn't do AFTER surgery, mainly b/c most of them don't want to touch me b/c of my hardware/fusion, and I don't want to risk anything. I got massages mainly by my PT, acupuncture specialist and my dear hubby or even I massage myself everyday(neck and shoulders). I used to be a make up artist and was on my feet all day for long hours on very hard floors, and since surgery it just is too hard for my lower back, so I work part time at home doing paper work for a business. Before surgery it was sitting down at a desk that was impossible, now it's better. I don't have financial problems though, as I'm very lucky I know and right now I prefer putting my health first, but that's just me and I can't tell you what to do. Maybe with time and being off work and seeing new doctors you'll get better. But I know how even if I had a great surgeron, it's my unfused area that takes a beating and that's just the way it is. Some days are better than others. My surgeon is a professor, has is own facility in Europe now and fixed up ballerinas, I'm not kidding. He was good, but some pains are just inevitable for some people, heck 80% of the population has back problems at some point in their life so it's normal for us with fusions and hardware that we could have some. I just try to deal with it, rest when I need to and also have better posture and sitting methods.
                  35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                  Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                  Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                  Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                  Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Dizzinness

                    Hi again Jan,

                    I wanted to also add that I have a crushed nerve at around C1(as my PT calls it), and hard manipulations, hard massages or her just putting her finger at one specific place makes me very dizzy and I don't know if you also have that. I do get vertigo from time to time and it's b/c of my neck.

                    I also wanted to ask if you mean getting more surgery by getting your neck/higher thoracic spine fused? I wouldn't do that for myself, I already had a lot of problems and still do with screws around my shoulder blades and I know that could cause more harm than good for me, and my ortho agrees.

                    At any rate, keep in touch and feel free to ask me any questions or just share how you're doing, and take good care of yourself
                    Last edited by sweetness514; 08-31-2006, 04:52 PM.
                    35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                    Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                    Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                    Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                    Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Here is a forum for persons who had previous surgery

                      http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Flatback_Revised/
                      Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                      Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                      Comment

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