New kid on the block

TiredofPain · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-2012, 07:09 AM

Hi again. Not sure why I thought that my appt was the 29th, as it was actually the 26th. And it didn't go very well as far as I'm concerned. I have a great surgeon, but this time, he seemed to be in a hurry. Maybe I'm too sensitive or something. But they took xrays, and he came in and said that I'm not fusing very well, and he wants to put me on a bone growth simulator and give it two months to determine if another surgery is necessary. Needless to say, that was not remotely close to what I was expecting. He asked about smoking, and mentioned vitamin d. I was taking vitamin D supplements last year but quit. Guess that was bad. I was also diagnosed seven or so years ago with the early stages of osteoporosis. Although I do still have pain, I don't like the prospect of another surgery. If I don't get good fusion and that will be at the 1 year mark when I go back. Will surgery be a necessity. I have for the most part accepted that I will have some pain for the remainder of my life. It's a bummer, but it is what it is. I'm pretty limited now as far as what I can do, but other issues contribute to that as well. Sorry, starting to ramble. I still consider my surgery to be a success because it is better than pre-surgery. Any thoughts on the bone growth stimulator, and if it does not help with the fusion, is another surgery in my best bet. Thanks in advance for any response. J

jsewell · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-2012, 05:26 PM

When i had my very first surgery, my doc gave me a bone growth stimulator. I got more questions about that as i walked around town. If it is the same device i am thinking of, it has pads to put in the fusion area and a little piece you wear around a belt or attached to your clothes. I had no problems fusing with that. I have had problems now with fusing, but he has never prescribed one again. I have had additional surgeries to redo unfused areas too. But the surgery was not specifically for that purpose.

Sorry the appointment did not go as well as you were hoping, I have certainly been there too. I too , have accepted that i might be in a lifetime of spinal pain although as you said it is much better now than before surgery.
judy

TiredofPain · #3 (**permalink**) 02-28-2012, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the reply Judy. I hate to hear that you have to live a life with pain, and I think that's what I will do as well. But, I still consider myself fortunate because there are others that are much worse of than me. The thought of another surgery is disturbing, but if it's necessary, then that's what I'll do. I just hope the stimulator will work. Thanks again for your reply. J

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 02-29-2012, 04:39 PM

I'm so sorry that you are still in it.

Are you in less pain than before your surgery?

Your surgeon says it's not fusing very well. Is the structure of the fusion good or is it collapsing?

Mark

jsewell · #5 (**permalink**) 02-29-2012, 08:47 PM

tired of pain,
You have a great attitude. I also , always try to walk a mile in another man's shoes before feeling sad for myself. Even though it is difficult for me to stand up straight and walking is not the most comfortable thing, it could be a lot worse and i still can hike , at least short distances. That is all as long as i am on pain meds though. with out those i might have to be a couch potato.
I just hope this stimulator works for you and fusion is a success.
judy

Maria · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2012, 12:48 PM

TOP,
sorry to hear your surgeon's time seemed limited w/u and you didn't hear what you might have wanted to. I have osteoporosis and found out this year low Vit D and was advised to take 5000mg or iu of Vit D altho read that's excessive so stopped. I think I best check this out as I don't want to worsen my osteoporosis and I know I need the Vit D in order to help.

Anyway, I hope you won't have to have another surgery and that if you use a bone growth stim that will help or that fusion will happen even if more slowly than expected. I wonder if there are any rather alternative methods of helping with the bone growth stimulation. Sometimes I think we don't get the best information from our surgeons on post op appts. at least here in the US and care is fragmented so one has to find the right person(s) to give out information one might not otherwise get.

You might want to review your diet as well and read up on nutritional healing just as a factor in healing not necessarily a complete cure all altho you may already be pretty cognizant of what nutritional value there is in foods you eat.

Good luck and hope you will find some answers out there that will not lead to another surgery unless that's absolutely necessary.

TiredofPain · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmglobal

I'm so sorry that you are still in it.

Are you in less pain than before your surgery?

Your surgeon says it's not fusing very well. Is the structure of the fusion good or is it collapsing?

Mark

Thanks for the reply Mark,

Fortunately, I am in less pain than before the surgery. Still pretty limited to what I can do because the pain will increase.

He did not mention the structure and I didn't ask, I think my brain shut down when he said surgery again. I'm hoping that the structure is good and that is why he is recommending the bone growth stimulator. But I will ask that question. Thanks again for the reply. J

TiredofPain · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2012, 01:34 PM

Judy and Maria,

Thank you for your responses. I try to maintain a positive outlook because the worst place I can be is alone with myself in my mind. lol. I'm now taking 2000IU of vit D, and will hopefully have the bone growth stimulator. They called me last week and said they were awaiting approval from the insurance company. I try to eat healthy, and stay as active as possible. Unfortunately, I still take a lot of pain meds, maybe after I get better fusion that will change. I wasn't prepared for this last doctor appt, but I will be ready for the next one on 24 April. Thanks again. J

mmglobal · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2012, 04:00 AM

There are a variety of issues with problems fusing.

The fusion hardware is not designed to withstand the load of carrying your weight indefinitely. Once fusion occurs, then the hardware is redundant. In some cases, the hardware may be removed later. I'm talking about posterior instrumentation, such as pedicle screws and rods. Most anterior column implants are inside of the space that should fuse and cannot be removed later unless the fusion will be reconstructed..

With non-unions that remain structurally sound, there may be a problem with motion not being eliminated. If the painful tissues are still jostled around by ongoing motion in the segments that are supposed to be fused, it may remain painful.

I hope this helps you understand more about the issues you should be discussing with your doctors.

Mark

PS.... if you want to post your films, we can discuss them on the forum. If you 'd like to send them to me and discuss them privately, let me know. (no charge.) Contact me via the contact page on the GPN website linked below.