complications after back surgery in germany

[kelly from ontario]

Hi everyone
just wanted to give an update.it has been over a year since my surgery in Germany with dr Zeegers.I now have ankle reflexes.my left ankle is weak and i wear a support when i am out walking.I can feel my calves-(r calf-75%-left calf -50%)and i can feel more of my feet although the l foot is still ultra sensitive.I have no feeling in the back of my upper legs to the waist.still have no bladder or bowel control.i empty my bladder via a catheter
every 4 hours and treat my bowels regularly.i wear attends diapers(which now look like underwear).this is the most difficult part.
This part is hard to explain but i have terrible nerve pains down the backs of my legs into my feet even though the skin has no feeling.my doctor said she thinks the nerves are trying to reconnect.nerve repair happens very slowly and life happens very quickly, so no wonder we have no patience(lol).I try to get out and walk as much as i can.i now have a dog and he is great company and a reason to get outside.some days i am so tired from the neurontin(2800 mg/d)that i can hardly function so on the days i have some spunk i get going.The most positive thing to come out of this is that i have no back pain and that is so huge.I could not have dealt with that any longer.i take no narcotics
and am happy about that as well.

i remain positive and hope for more improvements.I am realistic enough to know that i may never recover fully but really hoping the bowel recovers if nothing else!
hoping you all the best and will try to keep you posted.thank you for you interest and your support
kelly

[dshobbies]

Kelly,

I'm glad you continue to improve and hope that stays the course. My doctor also told me that those needle piercing nerve pains were good It has proved to be true.

My hope is that your continued improvement relieves you of the catheter and
Depends. Nerves take their sweet time but can get there, especially with your positive attitude. Good luck and please keep us posted.

Dale

[mmglobal]

Kelly, thanks so much for posting the update. It's great that you have no back pain! I'm sorry about the serious complication you suffered. I'm glad to have stories like this here so people understand that with spine, there is always a risk.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hopefully, you'll continue to improve. I'm sorry that the nerves 'waking up' can be so painful, but that is much better than the alternative.

Let's catch up soon. All the best,

Mark

[Maria]

Kelly,
Thank you for the update and your positive attitude. I hope that while the nerves may be regenerating that it will be less painful and that your bladder and bowel function will return.

Stay hopeful and positive please keep us posted on your progress.

[ADR seeker]

Could stem cell injections help her nerves to regenerate? Also, can the Neurontin be impeding the healing process.?

[ADR seeker]

Cauda Equina Syndrome Causes

Cauda equina syndrome is caused by significant narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerve roots below the level of the spinal cord. Numerous causes of cauda equina syndrome have been reported, including traumatic injury, disk herniation, spinal stenosis, spinal tumors (neoplasms), such as metastatic tumors, meningiomas, schwannomas, and ependymomas, inflammatory conditions, infectious conditions, and accidental causes by medical intervention (iatrogenic causes).

Trauma

Traumatic events leading to fracture or partial dislocation (subluxation) of the low back (lumbar spine) result in compression of the cauda equina.

A collection of blood surrounding the nerves following trauma (epidural hematoma) in the low back area can lead to compression of the cauda equina.

Penetrating trauma (gunshot or stab wounds) can cause damage or compression of the cauda equina.

A rare complication of spinal manipulation is partial dislocation (subluxation) of the low back (lumbar spine) that can cause cauda equina syndrome.

Herniated Disk

Most disk herniations will improve on their own (are self-limiting) and respond well to conservative treatment, including antiinflammatory medications, physical therapy, and short periods of rest (one to two days).

Cauda equina syndrome results from a herniated lumbar disk in 1-15% of cases.

Of lumbar disk herniations, 90% occur either at the vertebral levels L4-L5 or L5-S1.

Seventy percent of cases of herniated disks leading to cauda equina syndrome occur in people with a history of chronic low back pain, and 30% develop cauda equina syndrome as the first symptom of lumbar disk herniation.

Males in their 30s and 40s are most prone to cauda equina syndrome caused by disk herniation.

Most cases of cauda equina syndrome caused by disk herniation involve large particles of disk material that have completely separated from the normal disk and compress the nerves (extruded disk herniations). In most cases, the disk material takes up at least one-third of the canal diameter.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is any narrowing of the normal front to back distance (diameter) of the spinal canal.

Narrowing of the spinal canal can be caused by a developmental abnormality or degenerative process.

The abnormal forward slip of one vertebral body on another is called spondylolisthesis. Severe cases can cause a narrowing of the spinal canal and lead to cauda equina syndrome (see Multimedia File 3).

Tumors (Neoplasms)

Cauda equina syndrome can be caused by isolated tumors (primary neoplasms) or from tumors that have spread to the spine from other parts of the body (metastatic spinal neoplasms). Metastatic spine tumors are most commonly from the prostate or lung in males and from the lung and breast in females.

The most common initial symptom of people with cauda equina syndrome caused by a tumor (spinal neoplasm) is severe low back and leg pain.

Later findings include lower extremity weakness.

Loss of feeling in the legs (sensory loss) and loss of bowel or bladder control (sphincter dysfunction) are also common.

Inflammatory Conditions

Long-lasting inflammatory conditions of the spine, including Paget's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, can cause a narrowing of the spinal canal and lead to cauda equina syndrome.

Infectious Conditions

Infections in the spinal canal (spinal epidural abscess) can cause deformity of the nerve roots and spinal column.

Symptoms generally include severe back pain and rapidly worsening muscle weakness.

Accidental Medical Causes (Iatrogenic Causes)

Poorly positioned screws placed in the spine can compress and injure nerves and cause cauda equina syndrome.

Continuous spinal anesthesia has been linked to cases of cauda equina syndrome.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) can cause a collection of blood in the spinal canal (spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma) in patients receiving medication to thin the blood (anticoagulation therapy). This collection of blood can compress the nerves and cause cauda equina syndrome.

[kelly from ontario]

Hi
It has been 2 years since my Adr surgery at the Betaklinik with Dr Zeegers.I had a post-op complication-a blood clot on my spinal cord L5S1.It was evacuated but now have cauda equina syndrome as a result.
I have had no new improvements since my last post but have had some new problems.My artificial disc is open 12 degrees when i flex(bend forward) and is causing me alot of pain.Sitting now creates alot of back discomfort.I have been to a local spine surgeon who feels I need revision surgery.London science hospital doctors have refused to see me (as I had the initial operation elsewhere).I have been in touch with Dr Zeegers also.I am unable to afford to go back to Germany for further surgery.That was a one -shot-deal.I wish I could go back but it is not an option at this time.I feel things moving backwards again.I still take neurontin 2900 mg for nerve pain,Tramadol 200 mg for pain,Cymbalta to enhance nerve medication etc.
I remain to have nerve damage to lower back -feet.No bladder or bowel control.Have recently been to a seminar re "peristeen" system for bowels and am waiting for the ok from my insurance company.
I still keep in touch with Mark who is a great support for me.Dr Zeegers stated that my husband was a "good man" as we were still together.(as i now have issues with sex,bladder bowel etc)I took excepion to this but at the same time I love and respect my husband for being here for me(for better,for worse).
I guess I am not as positive about my outcome as I was when i felt there was a chance to recover from Cauda equina syndrome and of course now having back issues but I still face each day with a good attitude and a sense of humor.
I would be interested if anyone knows a spinal surgeon in the Montreal area?I know Dr zeegers did some teaching there.Thanks for keeping up with my progress and will check in frequently.Thank you for all the info and encouraging words.It is so appreciated!!
kelly

[Maria]

Hi Kelly,
I just wanted to say hello and wish you the best with your continued spinal endeavors. Probably easy to say and harder to do however we just have to plug on here with the stuff that comes along with our bad back journeys. Some more than others or course. I do wish we all could get permanent relief or at least very near relief!

Please continue to update as you're able. Meanwhile wishing you and your family and everyone actually a good Holiday Season.

take care,

Maria

[nomorepain]

love your positive energy it so helps the mind body & soul and it is infectious to others around you.sorry to hear about your complications. that is one of the reasons this website is so great we share our personal experiences good or bad and we all read how different we are. same surgeries different outcomes. so back to the nerve issue..... I can remember after my adr surgery my nerves were very active and painful for 2 to3yrs, the further out from surgery the pain seemed to subside.