Any words of encouragement?

[RoundTheTwist]

Hi,
I am a 31yr old Mum of 2 due for surgery in 7 weeks I am starting to get worried now and wondered if anyone could tell me what their revision surgery was like, good or bad I just want to know so I can try to prepare myself a bit, does anyone have any advice please?
Here is my history....
I asked to be referred back to the hospital that did my surgery originally because I had started to experience pain in my right hip and just had this feeling that something wasn't right. My surgeon did some x-rays and we discovered then that my single Harrington rod was broken at T8/T9 level but wasn't causing me any pain. My surgeon also said that the pain in my hip was to do with the scar there where they took bone for bone grafts in 1991 and sent me for an MRI. The MRI says I have a neuroma (benign tumor of the nerves) in the scar on my hip so he sent me to a Pain Clinic within the hospital, where I was treated for 2 years. I had Electronic Pulse injections, Cortisone injections, Lignocaine, and acupuncture none of which gave me much, if any, relief. I also had some physio, but the Pain Specialist sent me back to my surgeon saying there was nothing more he could do for me. My surgeon then reviewed my notes and decided that he would remove the neuoma with surgery and 'while I am there' remove the old broken rod and insert 2 new ones with screws, but that is all I know about my op. I haven't had any other tests, no x-rays for at least 2 years etc etc
At the moment I am on Co-Codamol (paracetamol 500/codeine 30) x6 a day, Celebrex 200mg per day and Gabapentin(Neurotin?) 300mg per day plus 60mg Citalopram(Anti-depressant) a day. These make my pain bearable, but I am scared I am dependant on all these drugs, I ran out of Co-Codamol yesterday, today my pain is pretty bad, but does that warrant an operation?
I have also lost the 2.5 inches I gained in my first surgery, I feel because the rod is broken and I have kind of curved over to the left, my hump seems to be reappeaing and my body shape looks awful from behind.

Thanks in advance,

Kat

[sweetness514]

Hi Kat,

I know it's not easy to go have surgery again, but the same happened to me-broken rod, loose screws, failed fusion- and I had surgery to replace and add hardware plus bone graft this last December, and it is pretty big b/c they opened me up even more, but easier than the first time. They gave me an epidural(inserted epidural cathetar before the op), and it was such a difference from the first time, not nearly as much pain. Recuperation is quicker, although flexibility didn't get back to what it was, I still am very stiff 9 months post op, but better. I still have pain but less, my ortho fixed as much as he could but some hardware will always be a bit unstable in my case b/c of the positioning of the right rod where it is not fused as high as it should be b/c I can't handle hardware too high in my thoracic spine, so I'm going to a pain clinic to see if they can help in the pain I have around T5. But at least I'm not hearing all that grinding and clicking I did pre op, and I think you're making the right decision b/c the curve can come back with broken hardware and cause more harm down the line.

Good luck and if you have more questions, feel free to ask

[RoundTheTwist]

Thankyou

Hi Sweetness,
Thankyou for your reply
Our original fusions are about the same length. I was wondering if you had to wear a brace after your surgery in December? I know all surgeons are different, I'm just trying to get an idea of all possibilities.
Did the surgeon extend your fusion/rods up or down the spine? And if so by how many levels?
I don't know much about my surgery, I was in such shock when my surgeon said he would operate I forgot to ask him loads of stuff! I have an appointment with him tomorrow and a long list of questions! LOL
What do you think has caused your stiffness? I am curious as I have 2 kids and do a lot of 'running' round after them, I just feel so in-the-dark about how I will be in my recovery.
I am totally with you about the grinding and clicking, its horrible, I'm pleased for you that you have less pain and less noise I guess that is what makes the surgery worth it.
Thanks again for your help,

Kat

[sweetness514]

Hi,

I think the stiffness is normal, it really gets better with each passing month but it is from scar tissue that has to loosen up sort of speak, but I don't bend anyways now since I want to take it easy for my fusion for the first year and I find that bending with my knees-wich I have no problem doing at all- is better for being less in pain.

As far as you having children I know that must be worriesome(sp?) and it is an added stress but the first few months it's best to not do much except walking to help the fusion and try to get back to your normal routine at your own pace.

I didn't wear a brace, as my ortho is not one to be strong on prescribing them, I know all doctors have different views on it though. My fusion was not extended, they just opened me up a bit more to have more space to work on.