New kid on the block

[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

[mmglobal]

Regarding my viewing of the films.... it is an interesting exercise but I must constantly remind readers that my opinion of the situation is of very limited value. I am not a doctor and could be staring at something blatant and not see it because my frame of reference is very limited.

I'm pleased to hear that you are making progress and am looking forward to some good news from you!

Alol the best,

Mark

[TiredofPain]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

Regarding my viewing of the films.... it is an interesting exercise but I must constantly remind readers that my opinion of the situation is of very limited value. I am not a doctor and could be staring at something blatant and not see it because my frame of reference is very limited.

I'm pleased to hear that you are making progress and am looking forward to some good news from you!

Alol the best,

Mark

Mark,
I understand that you are not a doctor. On the other hand, I believe that you do have a great deal of experience and insight, based on what I have seen and read on this website. I'm truely greatful for this site as it has and continues to provide at a minimum, re-assurance in the processes and that other people such as myself have received relief from their spine/back problems.

Ooops. Rambling again. At any rate. It was appreciated that you had previously offered to take a look. I have no clue what I'm looking at, but you may have been able to give a response or insight (lack of terms) that I could more easily understand.

Thanks a million for this site. I really is GREAT!
J

[jsewell]

I am so happy to hear you have a good set of doctors. Nothing like a patient in the waiting room to tell you that. And he listened to you. Good deal.
The hip pain. Well i went through that in 2008. The doc as well as my spine surgeon did not think my MRI or Ct (i forget) looked bad enough for a hip replacement. But it did look like possible need for some repair of a labral tear. So my new hip surgeon did an arthroscopic hip surgery . When he was in there he found that both of my hip surfaces were worn away to bone. So i did try to see if the surgery would help at all (he did microfracture to try to grow some cartilage) It did not seem to be working so i had the right hip replaced in June 2008. That surgery , if you need it, has something like a 98% satisfaction rate. They really know what they are doing there. The usual pain from your hip is gone instantly., You do have surgical pain which gets better every day. At 3 months out i was back to hiking. At 3 weeks my doc let me swim and i was swimming a mile each day (about 5 times a week) So hiking for 7 miles then swimming , i was in the best shape . Then i did still have knee pain on that side so he did an arthroscopy and cleaned out the joint (lots of scar tissue) and did micr fracture to stimulate new cartilage growth,. It worked wonderfully

Boy sorry i am making this so long. Just don't want you to really worry about the hip replacement.

As far as walking with back pain, it is difficult. I now have pain when i am walking or standing in place. It sucks. Some lower around my hips too, but i know that is coming from my spine. I have a new lumbar fracture. I saw my spine surgeon today, i will be having more surgery when he gets back in town, he has not decided it he will extend the fusion to L5 or just fix the fracture at L4. I see him on June 4th after his vacation.
My foot is still swollen, although i can get it in shoes, just a little surgical pain , no hammertoe pain. Now for the other foot!!

Let me know what you find out on the 8th.
take care
judy

[TiredofPain]

Originally Posted by jsewell

I am so happy to hear you have a good set of doctors. Nothing like a patient in the waiting room to tell you that. And he listened to you. Good deal.
The hip pain. Well i went through that in 2008. The doc as well as my spine surgeon did not think my MRI or Ct (i forget) looked bad enough for a hip replacement. But it did look like possible need for some repair of a labral tear. So my new hip surgeon did an arthroscopic hip surgery . When he was in there he found that both of my hip surfaces were worn away to bone. So i did try to see if the surgery would help at all (he did microfracture to try to grow some cartilage) It did not seem to be working so i had the right hip replaced in June 2008. That surgery , if you need it, has something like a 98% satisfaction rate. They really know what they are doing there. The usual pain from your hip is gone instantly., You do have surgical pain which gets better every day. At 3 months out i was back to hiking. At 3 weeks my doc let me swim and i was swimming a mile each day (about 5 times a week) So hiking for 7 miles then swimming , i was in the best shape . Then i did still have knee pain on that side so he did an arthroscopy and cleaned out the joint (lots of scar tissue) and did micr fracture to stimulate new cartilage growth,. It worked wonderfully

Boy sorry i am making this so long. Just don't want you to really worry about the hip replacement.

As far as walking with back pain, it is difficult. I now have pain when i am walking or standing in place. It sucks. Some lower around my hips too, but i know that is coming from my spine. I have a new lumbar fracture. I saw my spine surgeon today, i will be having more surgery when he gets back in town, he has not decided it he will extend the fusion to L5 or just fix the fracture at L4. I see him on June 4th after his vacation.
My foot is still swollen, although i can get it in shoes, just a little surgical pain , no hammertoe pain. Now for the other foot!!

Let me know what you find out on the 8th.
take care
judy

Hi Judy,
Thanks again for your quick response and the re-assurance. I have heard nothing but good things about hip replacement. Although, that is not something that I would hope for, and still hope it doesn't come to that. But, if in the overall scheme of things it will benefit me with other joint problems I certainly welcome it.

You are very kind to always take the time to read and respond to posts. I hope that your surgical pain goes away very quickly and the surgery on the other foot is a complete success with faster than normal recovery.

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!!