New kid on the block

[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

[TiredofPain]

Hi Judy

I hope that your recovery from your recent foot surgery is going well, and it is giving you relief and your better off than pre-surgery.

Well, I went to the specialist today, and I'm very very excited. He asked alot of questions, and equally, if not more importantly he listened to me. He asked me which set of joints bothered me the most, it's best to start with one project at a time. LOL. Maybe not funny, but it was to me. After listening to me he ordered x-rays on ankles, knees and hips. Hips are a new problem, within the last 5-7 months, or maybe longer I just didn't notice that much because of the severe pain elsewhere. At any rate. After he looked at the xrays with me and expained things, he said that he was pretty concerned with my left hip. He showed me and explained, and I understood as well as I could. He said that it appeared as though there was osteonecrosis and he wanted an MRI to determine the extent and what treatment plan would follow. He said if it was a small area, then it could be treated with core decrompression. If it was a larger area, which he was afraid of, then it would require a full hip replacement.

He said that the hip could very well be a major contributor to my other issues, knees and ankles. He also said that we were going to figure things out and make me better. I almost broke down and cried, because I believed him. I'm waiting on the call to schedule the MRI, and can't wait to get it done. I'm hoping that hip replacement is not needed, but if it is, I welcome it.

As far as the CT scan on my back. I said MRI in previous post, but mis-spoke, it was actually CT scan. I called the Dr's office yesterday wondering if they had the results and if the Dr had reviewed them. They said that they do have the results, but the Dr doesn't review them until I'm there for an appt. I have mixed emotions on that policy, but it is what it is. So I have an appt on the 8th to go over it with him. I guess in a way it's kind of a moot point because I personally think that my ability to walk more with little to no pain should be a priority, because the biggest thing that was asked of me from surgery last year was alot of walking. I did what I could, and just maybe that wasn't enough. Your thoughts?

Again, I'm pretty excited with this new doctor, and going to drop the other 2 specialists, knee and ankle, because it sure seems like I have one now that can take care of it all. There was a couple in the waiting room, that said they will not go anywhere else and they consider this group of doctors to be the best in the country. So far so good. J

[maddy123]

Hi jsewell,i am also patient of Total Hip Replacement surgery.But i am not facing any type of Hip pain after surgery.Now i am on bed rest of 3 months.So i can understand your feelings related care after and before surgery time.Good luck!!