Of those who had a full fusion, yup from top to bottom, have any undergone a revision/reconstruction surgery? Did it help? What did your dr find/do? Thank you for the info.
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Of those who had a full fusion, yup from top to bottom, have any undergone a revision/reconstruction surgery? Did it help? What did your dr find/do? Thank you for the info.
Okay, I had a major revision in October, however the surgeon left the existing lumbar to pelvis.
It helped with my thoracic for sure and the cervical. It has to be done-- he found all cervical screws loose an the fusion in the thoracic had never bealed. He removed all the hardware and replaced it and added 2 rods so I now have 4.
It helped a lot to give me better alignment. I am just past 6 months so I am sure there can be even more improvement.
Hi there, what kind of problems did you have prior to revision? I’ve got soooo much pain back there. It’s hard to say where it hurts other than in the low back, which is where most of my metal lies. My right leg is all but completely numb. I can’t feel the bottom of my right foot at all. I just made lunch and just a few minutes standing is enough to take your appetite away! I have to lay down flat at least 4-5 times a day just to make it thru the day. If I didn’t do that I’m sure I would eventually pass out from the pain! I’m curious what the dr does in the revision exactly? Even if he can make the pain a little better would be wonderful and worth it completely.
What is done depends on what is causing the pain. Typically, some of the implants are removed, and some of the vertebrae may be reshaped before the implants are replaced, but truly, every case is different.Quote:
Originally Posted by RitaR
Rita I am sure they look at every level of the fusion and any areas that aren't get fused.
Most surgeons approach any revision revision as the need to or don't touch it and find another way.
My neurosurgeon and I were very careful to make sure that anything that he would do was absolutely needed. So my lumber was left even though it has a larger amount of curve than is needed. He just adjusted everything else. Also my cervical hardware was loose and coming through the skin. The revision helped with the thoracic pain. I had not fused from my surgery in 2013.
Keep an open mind and maybe something else is causing the problems and that has to be checked.
But if revision is necessary it seems easier than the original surgery.