New kid on the block

[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

[jsewell]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[TiredofPain]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

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.

Thank you for that info Mark it does give me a better understanding, and have started a list of questions for my appt on 24 April. I will also see if I can obtain the films from that appt and post them. I really appreciate that offer.

[TiredofPain]

Good morning,
Well, I have been very busy with lots of doctors appts hoping to get to the bottom of my numberous problems, i.e. ankles, knees, hips. My 1 year anniversary for the surgery was the 26th of this month. I'm hoping to find a specialist that can look into the whole person concept and tell me whether or not the surgery could be contributing to the other probs. However, a foot specialist this past week told me that it could be contributing to my ankles because the levels that were operated on are directly related to the feet. I have an appt with a doc on May 1st that specializes in feet, knees and hips. So hopefully, he can put together a treatment plan that will be beneficial, instead of having to see 3 different docs.

The most recent update on my back. My appt on the 24th was better than the last. The PA came in first and I mentioned my displeasure of the previous appt. She was very appologetic and so was the doctor. The xrays did not show any significant change in the fusion after the use of the bone growth stimulator for 2 months. So the doc ordered an MRI to get a better look to see what is going on before committing to any future treatment plans. That makes sense to me and I was glad to hear that. I had the MRI done on the 25th and now waiting for the call for follow-up with the doc. I wish I knew how to provide some of the pics on here for Mark to review because I have a disc with the MRI results, but it's a program and not just individual pics. I'm really hoping for a successful appt with the specialist on the 1st that can help me. Because at this point my mobility is very limited, and I'm too young to be stuck at home like I have been for the last couple of years. Even with that said, I still realize that I'm pretty blessed because there are alot of people much worse of than I am. As always, I appreciate everyone listenting to me ramble and respond with advice and encouragement. I hope everyone had a great weekend. J

[jsewell]

I'm so glad your appointment went well this time. When do you see your spine doctor to get the results of the MRI?
I wish you the best for the appointment on May 1st with the specialist. It is difficult when so many body parts are hurting. I am in the same boat as you. I've recently had foot surgery which i consider a direct relation to the way i walk since my last back surgery. It is all connected. Just hard to figure out where it all started. I have also had a hip replacement. Knee surgery and i wish you do not have to go through these things. Sounds like you are on the right path by seeing a doc for all the parts!!!!
I also do not know how to show Mark any of my imaging.
Good Luck and let us know the outcome of the May 1st apt.
Judy