My husband is 31 years old. He has had 3 spinal fusions.
The first posteriorly at L5-S1 with a stimulator and pedicale screws.. He had pain done his thighs, no muscle control in his legs, progresed to the point of not walking at all. Second fusion was done because the first didn't work, this time it also included L4. So anterior, posterior was preformed. The screws were taken out and not replaced because of angle. This last fusion was done in April 98 because of a transfer lesion at 2-3, 3-4. Anteriorly and posteriorly again. Well, it was a nightmare. Vena cave was ruptured in three places, one of them completely torn, at the common illiac branch. They could not complete the surgery because of the rupture. He also now has retrograde ejaculation. They did manage to place the dowels during the anterior portion. He came home a three days later collapsed, couldn't move his legs. So, they go in posteriorly and place pedicle screws and rods. Everything is coll for about 6 months and bang all the usuals are back and getting worse - incredible leg pain (both), back pain, right bicep pain...., now he has already had radio frequency lesioning - did not work - he has had so many drugs - do not work, he has had all the shots and stimulators - nothing seems to work. Newest info is one screw has missed the vetebra and he is not solid, arachnoiditis just ruled out. Please help, we are both terrified at the thought of anymore surgery - but now they want to take out the hardware. Any ideas
Thanks
Holly.
Follow Ups:
Re: spinal fusions (WHY are alternatives not offered?)
Posted by Walt Stoll on February 09, 1999 at 11:41:11:
In Reply to: spinal fusions posted by Holly Foote on February 08, 1999 at 11:41:35:
Dear Holly,
Just think how desperate you must be to have to resort to looking for information about this on the internet!!!!!!
The solutions to this kind of persistant problem have been known for more than 30 years (Since Norman Shealy, MD, PhD introduced the concept of a "Pain & Stress Treatment Center " to the world). Unfortunately, it is not a concept that makes a lot of money so it is still struggling!
This has been discussed on this BB for many years and you need to go to the archives & read everything you can find about spinal conditions that are frequetly surgerized. If you need world-wide research substantiating some of these approaches, pay special attention to the notes Dave Ferguson, DC has put on the BB.
It is a crime that both of you have been trapped into what the wise man said years ago: "To a hammer, everything looks like a nail!" You have been seeing surgeons so surgery is what you have been told is the "answer".
Both of you deserve better.
Once you have done your homework, if you still have questions, write again. In the meantime, you might call Dr Shealy and talk to someone at his center.
Let us know how your husband does. Ther IS a way out of this & his success would inspire others, in the same boat, to know that they are not being offered their options by the "hammers".
Walt