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Hi everyone,
As a teenager I had severe (Grade IV) spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 and moderate scoliosis (double major curve, 33/32 degrees to start, boston brace 2 years). My records show my scoliosis curves were about 20/20 degrees when I came out of the brace. I had progressive severe leg and back pain and when I was 17 I had a posterior L4-L5-S1 fusion with laminectomy and autilogous bone graft. No hardware was placed, I was told there was "nowhere to put it." I wore a body cast for three months, but healed well and have not had much trouble with back pain since. At my one year post-op appointment, in 1985, I was told I was all healed and to go have a nice life. No follow-up was advised.
Fast forward to 2008, I am now 40 y/o and active with 2 small kids. A while back I started having some back and leg pain, and some slight numbness in one foot, and now it has gotten worse, to the point where I am taking Advil daily. I also have disturbing sensations in my thighs of coldness and tingling at times. I recently went to my PCP, who was very dismissive, and she referred me for PT. I insisted on x-rays, since I have had none since 1985. I was pretty shocked to read my x-ray reports, which show my lumbar curve has increased to 35 degrees, the left side of my fusion is "missing" (not present), and I have a new spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 (one level above the old spondylo and fusion).
I have an appointment in a few weeks with a spine specialist who apparently specializes in spondylo and lumbar spine issues. In the meanwhile, I am shocked at the possibility of needing surgery again. Has anyone had part of their fusion simply disappear?, or have a new instability above a lumbar fusion?
Gayle
As a teenager I had severe (Grade IV) spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 and moderate scoliosis (double major curve, 33/32 degrees to start, boston brace 2 years). My records show my scoliosis curves were about 20/20 degrees when I came out of the brace. I had progressive severe leg and back pain and when I was 17 I had a posterior L4-L5-S1 fusion with laminectomy and autilogous bone graft. No hardware was placed, I was told there was "nowhere to put it." I wore a body cast for three months, but healed well and have not had much trouble with back pain since. At my one year post-op appointment, in 1985, I was told I was all healed and to go have a nice life. No follow-up was advised.
Fast forward to 2008, I am now 40 y/o and active with 2 small kids. A while back I started having some back and leg pain, and some slight numbness in one foot, and now it has gotten worse, to the point where I am taking Advil daily. I also have disturbing sensations in my thighs of coldness and tingling at times. I recently went to my PCP, who was very dismissive, and she referred me for PT. I insisted on x-rays, since I have had none since 1985. I was pretty shocked to read my x-ray reports, which show my lumbar curve has increased to 35 degrees, the left side of my fusion is "missing" (not present), and I have a new spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 (one level above the old spondylo and fusion).
I have an appointment in a few weeks with a spine specialist who apparently specializes in spondylo and lumbar spine issues. In the meanwhile, I am shocked at the possibility of needing surgery again. Has anyone had part of their fusion simply disappear?, or have a new instability above a lumbar fusion?
Gayle