Hello All, I am new to this forum, this is my first post! From the UK and would be really glad of any advice you can give.
As Physical Therapy hadn't stopped my curve progressing I had a spinal fusion back in 1964, without instrumentation and was in a Risser plaster body cast for about 8 months then a Milwaukee brace for about 6 months. Life was ok for some time and I got married and had 2 children. Then at age 30 I had twins and since then my back has been one painful problem after another. I’ve tried all sorts of alternative therapies as well as regular physical therapy, hydrotherapy, facet jabs, epidurals and nothing helps. I also had a laminectomy in 1994, which seemed to make it all a lot worse.
I went back to the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital for advice as the pain and spasm is so bad and they tell me the fusion has moved and is now at 48 degrees. Plus some disc bulges, central stenosis and degenerative changes. I’m 57 and struggle at the moment, working full time due to pain, tiredness and not being able to walk very far.
They have suggested revision where they will fracture the original fusion and take it further down to the sacrum with rods and screws etc. I know the risks are higher with revision.
• What do people who have been through it think?
• Would you recommend it?
• Or wish you hadn’t had it done?
• Does it stop the pain?
• Does it take ages to get better?
• Will my mobility be limited?
Just confused and worried and have another herniated disc out that is pressing on nerves to both legs and making them numb – and the pain, well I really didn’t need that as well! I take pain killers and muscle relaxants.
Any advice welcome. Thank you and sorry for so many questions and the moan!
As Physical Therapy hadn't stopped my curve progressing I had a spinal fusion back in 1964, without instrumentation and was in a Risser plaster body cast for about 8 months then a Milwaukee brace for about 6 months. Life was ok for some time and I got married and had 2 children. Then at age 30 I had twins and since then my back has been one painful problem after another. I’ve tried all sorts of alternative therapies as well as regular physical therapy, hydrotherapy, facet jabs, epidurals and nothing helps. I also had a laminectomy in 1994, which seemed to make it all a lot worse.
I went back to the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital for advice as the pain and spasm is so bad and they tell me the fusion has moved and is now at 48 degrees. Plus some disc bulges, central stenosis and degenerative changes. I’m 57 and struggle at the moment, working full time due to pain, tiredness and not being able to walk very far.
They have suggested revision where they will fracture the original fusion and take it further down to the sacrum with rods and screws etc. I know the risks are higher with revision.
• What do people who have been through it think?
• Would you recommend it?
• Or wish you hadn’t had it done?
• Does it stop the pain?
• Does it take ages to get better?
• Will my mobility be limited?
Just confused and worried and have another herniated disc out that is pressing on nerves to both legs and making them numb – and the pain, well I really didn’t need that as well! I take pain killers and muscle relaxants.
Any advice welcome. Thank you and sorry for so many questions and the moan!
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