[dshobbies]

I am now 20 months post-op after a 3 level ProDisc S1/L3. Though L2/3 was herniated at the time of surgery it was not considered a pain generator and therefore left alone.

A couple of months ago I began to notice an all too familiar back pain. Hoping for just a blip, I tried to take care but the intermittent pain worsened, though tolerable by comparison, and became almost constant except when sitting in my zero gravity recliner. On Monday I had x-rays taken and the following is an excerpt from the radiology report;

“Soft tissue calcification is seen in the posterior L2-L3 annulus of the L2-L3 disc.

Minimal spondyloarthritic changes are present at the L1-L2 interspace with circumferential 1 to 3 mm vetabral body endplate osteophytes.”

He also noted lumbar muscular spasm despite the muscle relaxers I’ve been taking since my surgery.

Needless to say I am pretty upset. I haven’t informed either Dr. L or Dr. B and will do so as soon as I can send these to Mark but I want to know, just how serious are these findings? With rest I do better but I put too much into my back to rest. I’ve had my fill of resting… 3+ years to be exact. I also expect my life to be hectic for the next few weeks with my husband's upcoming knee surgery next week. This of course is on top of my own knee problems for which my MRI is tomorrow. Maybe more on that later.

I cringe at the thought of any further surgeries because of the severe nerve damage I was left with from my ADRs as well as the recovery and so wish that Dr. B had done the full 4 level when I was there.

Just to mention, since my nerve damage recovery seems to have stagnated, my pm suggested acupuncture. Anybody have any success in that area?

Dale