Things going very wrong after Dynesys

[LC in UK]

Help!
I had a Dynesys op in October '04 here in the UK (my 4th back op). Level L3-5 I think.
Was very impressed with improvements after initial severe pain for a few weeks.
Then a year ago my knees started swelling,and had no strength in my thigh muscles and also had nasty pains in mt feet. Ortho registrar said I had arthritis in my knees and synovitis in my feet (no x-rays taken). She said to continue at the gym but keep off the treadmill.
So I tried but gave up, couldn't hack it, not enough energy.
In December I was admitted to hospital as an emergency patient with severe abdominal pain LH side.
Now seeing colo-rectal surgeon who says I had intussusception due to part of the sigmoid muscle not working properly and adhesions from previous abdo surgery (including anterior spinal fusion). Having to use glycerin suppositories to empty the bowel until I see him again in July when they may send me to London for more tests.
A month ago my knees started giving out and walking became extremely difficult, my legs are dragging and feel very heavy. Sharp pains shooting down into my knees and around my hips from my lower back, both pains starting when I try to bend or stand up from sitting.
Had an MRI on 6th June which doesn't show spinal cord compression so as I'm not incontinent I have had to wait ubtil next Tuesday 26th June before I can be seen by the Ortho people.
I'm very worried by whats happening to me and even more by having to wait so long. My GP has been excellent writing to the consultants and keeping them informed.
Anybody have any info for me on Dynesys probs?
Thanks

[Maria]

I just wanted to say hello and welcome you here altho I'm sorry it has to be under painful circumstances.

Re your particular surgery I have nothing to offer except that I hope that someone here will be able to answer some of your questions or respond since they too have had this type of surgery ~

Please keep us posted on your status and I very much hope you will find some assistance in finding out what's causing the pain and some way to improve the situation~

take care, Maria

[LC in UK]

Thankyou for your kind thoughts Maria, very much appreciated.
Will post again after consultation on Tuesday,
Bye for now,
Lynette

[dshobbies]

Lynette,

I want to welcome you to the forum and say how sorry I am for your circumstances and pain. While I know nothing that could benefit you, I have heard of misdiagnosis and how one things can and does lead to another.

Aside from you specialists, does your GP think that all these symptoms could stem from the Dynesys or other back condition?

I don't know if you've been following the forum at all but Dr. Baumbach in Germany is the absolute best diagnostition I've every heard about. If your circumstances allow you to travel to Germany, it would be in your best interest to see if and/or how your conditions are related. I'm sure Mark can arrange for you to see him.

If this isn't possible, I know waiting is difficult, especially when you're in pain, but that's one of the reasons why we all complain about today's health care system, whether here or there. I do wish you well and please keep us posted.

Dale

[paindoc]

Sorry to hear you are having so many problems-If a patient comes to me with what you are describing, an EMG is in order to test the integrety of the spinal nerves. It can show if there are derangements in a particular nerve (i.e. it sounds like if the pain is wrapping around from your low back and going to your knees, it could be a problem with L4...an EMG can help demonstrate this). The MRI was also a good idea, but it sounds like structurally all is well there. Some times, scarring can occur in the spine which may not show up on a regular MRI unless it was performed with and without contrast which will help the scar tissue enhance. This phenomenon is most often seen after a posterior procedure that affects the epidural space-Fusion, laminectomy, etc., but it can happen anytime there is an inflammatory process. Inflammation causes a proliferation of fibroblasts which...you guessed it, make fiber or scarr tissue which can tether nerve roots and create symptoms like you are describing. The problem is that the Dyneses system does not require compromise of the epidural space to install, but I've seen it with anterior fusions which were thought to be able to circumvent this problem. The bowel issue takes priority at this point, but as I have posted before on this site, the Dyneses System has a major flaw, and that is that the screws seem to come loose over time and are perhaps affecting the nerve roots. I have also seen several cases where the spine surgeon placed the screws through the nerve root and not the pedicle!!!!!and couldn't figure out why the patient was hurting-problably not the case with you as you felt better after your surgery, but perahps these suggestions would be a good place to start. Good Luck-pain doc

[LC in UK]

Thankyou dshobbies and paindoc for taking the time to reply to me.
I definitely need a diagnosis and I hope that on Tueday the consultants will be making arrangements for further investigations so I won't need a trip to Germany!
The leading "contenders" for causing my problems I agree are probably scar tissue or Dynesys screws failing.
The colo-rectal surgeon and radiologists have both referred first and foremost to "previous abdominal surgery" - which may have caused the bowel problems but I'm increasingly concerned that nerve entrapment is responsible for the bowel muscle not working properly.
Wish the ortho and colo-rectal consultants would speak to each other on my behalf but it looks like I shall have to bring this thorny issue out into the open on Tuesday with my daughter giving me moral support!
I do so hope the EMG is suggested as this is so obviously what's required but if not I shall be seeing my GP first thing Wednesday!
Just don't want my world closing in on me any more than it is at present, I'm an active person and this pain prison just isn't me at all!
I'll be back....as Arnie said!!
Thanks so much for your support
Lynette