My Dynesys experience, August 2007, USA

[artfav98229]

I am thrilled to have found this site!

I first noticed some hip/lower back pain while doing yoga in the winter of 03/04. Soon I was getting shooting pain down my legs. My doctor determined I had stenosis at L3/L4 and L4/L5. In September of 04 I had partial bilateral laminectomies at both levels. The recovery was slow, I reached a plateau, and then the pain seemed to get worse. It was not the same pain though, no leg pain, just upper butt, lower back.

An MRI 6-months post surgery revealed deterioration of the L4/L5 facet joints, but my surgeon told me that I needed to be patient, that I was still healing and that the pain may decrease. It's gotten progressively worse.

After seeing numerous providers offering various treatments and trying some different medications, I went back to my surgeon. My lumbar spine is unstable, and he believes it is because of the deteriorated facet joints. There is a significant space between the bones at the L4/L5 facet joints. It looks very white on the MRI.

He is recommending the dynesys to pull the facet joints closer together and limit the movement, while NOT doing a fusion.

Sooo.... It looks like Betsy has had some positive results. Is there anyone else who has any positive feedback on dynesys? Most of what I'm finding published is positive, while most of the what I'm reading from patients is not quite so rosie.

Thanks,
Art Favinger

My history:
C6/C7 fusion 7/98
C5/C6 partial laminectomy 11/99
C5/C6 partial laminectomy 11/01
C5/C6 fusion with partial laminectomies at various levels 5/02
Competed in 36 mile bicycle leg of Ski-to-Sea Race 5/03 & 5/04, did just fine
L3/L4/L5 partial laminectomy 9/04

[fireyangel76]

Art,
I made my decision about dynesys mainly because as it has been pointed out, it is reversible and to my knowledge does not preclude having a ADR or a fusion if needed at a later date. I was also happier with the posterior approach as opposed to the anterior. I am still happy with my decision and haven't had any regrets for doing the dynesys. I only wish I was perfect again, but I guess I will never feel like 20 again. I hurt at times but seldom need to take anything but a rest!

[ddavie1]

recently, things appeared to be really looking up. I was almost entirely off of any pain meds - maybe a couple per week which beat the hell out of a couple per hour!! But over the last couple weeks (surgery in August 07) the pain has slowly started to return in my lower back, very little in my legs again though. The "weird" part is even with all the nuts, bolts, wires, and other inner paraphernalia, I have learned I can crack my back again. Not with the traditional twisting motion that usually offered 20 or 30 seconds of pain relief but more of a side to side tilt that sort of pulls my spine upwards and will pop in both directions, left and right. It almost feels like self induced traction for a moment. I'm sure it cant be good but when I can do it, I tend to very much do it. It's like another quickie relief function. For months after surgery I was way too "tight" for any cracking but now it's as easy as it ever was. I sure hope nothing came loose!

[mmglobal]

Man... I used to crack my neck all the time. I wondered if I'd ever be able to stop. Since my neck has been problematic, it still feels good if I crack it... but I have stopped and never do it any more.

With Dynesys, the screws never get unloaded and screw loosening is an issue. If I were you, I'd still live my life... but quit cracking!!!!

I hope that your setback turns out to be short lived. If you are worried... go get some xrays.

Please keep us posted.

Mark

PS... I still crack my knuckles... wish I could quit!