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question: who has a failed fusion?

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Posted 10/9/2012 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering how many of you have had fusions that failed. If you did, were you able to identify why?

Also, I looked at my MRI and x-rays, and it looks like my hardware is nest right inside a bunch of muscle. How does the muscle "accommodate" the hardware if the muscle has to move past it all the time? Is this part of what is painful?
Posted 10/9/2012 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear that is the case for you. I had my fusion two years ago and at the time I thought it had been very successful, I was pain free for the first time in years. However the fusion has caused me other problems that have led to more operations and I now have more pain at the fusion site. With so much going on in my back, I am not sure what is causing the pain but the fusion looks perfect according to my doctor.

I have had two sacroiliac fusions this year and where one has been very successful the other is worse than it was in the beginning and I am having to have a revision.

I am not sure if what you describe is causing your problems, all I can say is that maybe you should discuss this in detail with your doctor. I know SCreaming Eagle has a failed fusion and is in severe pain from it, and struggling to find meds to help. He no doubt will be on soon to share with you.

From the little I know, I think that is the problem with a failed fusion, everything on the x ray or MRI looks great, yet the pain and disability is as bad as it was before the op. how long is it since you had the fusion op? Could it be that you just need more time, I know it is possible to see improvements a year or more after the op.

Take care, I hope you can get some answers

Jane
Posted 10/9/2012 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
 

      good morning yummy!....yes!...Jane is correct in that I too have lots of pain at my fusion level. Also the MRI shows that it looks perfect as well...but still in severe pain. At the moment I'm waiting on a phone call from my dr to see if he will approve me seeing a local PM, who believes I should try Methadone. I originally went in to see if I was a candidate for the pump. However the PM is not one to jump to the pump, without trying all meds first.

   I cannot answer your question about the hardware and the muscle..and agree with Jane that maybe your surgeon can share that information with you.

    I feel for anyone who suffers from back pain and has had surgery to correct the problem. It is true that in some cases and maybe more, that your pain can actually become worse after the fusion. The surgery itself can involve cutting through many nerves and leave permanent damage. If that is the case, then a good nerve med may be required like Gabapentin and or Cymbalta to help with that.

    I believe it takes a combination of meds to see any real relief for many who suffer such damage...and you would be wise to seek a good PM for your care.

   Again, I'm terribly sorry you are having so much pain...I know full well what you may be going through.

  Keep us updated on any answers you find, and any progress in treatment that helps you.

   SE

Posted 10/9/2012 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Jane,
I can't say mine has failed because it's so recent since the surgery, just 10 weeks. If I can find people who have had failed fusions, and they know why, then I can learn what to *not* do. The surgeon and PTs weren't that detailed in what movements I shouldn't make etc. My _only_ PT is walking 2 miles a day.
Screaming Eagle, I'm VERY sorry to hear that you're going through this, because I know what kind of hell the constant pain is. I don't know that my pain will be permanent or not yet. I'm trying to explore every option (TENs units, therapy, hypnotherapy etc.) I am taking gapapentin now and I think all it does is make me tired. My surgeon is a bit of a doofus. He really demonstrates no interest at all in helping me post-op.
I have an idea for an in-situ pain relief mechanism - a small teflon tube filled with whatever pain reliever is appropriate, surgically implanted in the area that needs numbing. The type of teflon is chosen to allow slow release of the medication, and the capsule is refilled by syringe. I have worked with very slow release chemicals in the lab using this technique for instrument calibration, and I see no reason why this can't be made to work with medications.
Have any of you tried any kind of meditation techniques? I have read of a Tibetan monk who was able to go through a major surgery with no anesthetic just by meditating. This could be a powerful tool.
Posted 10/9/2012 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Yummy and welcome aboard. I am a little limited on time right now, but I can honestly tell you,with a fresh fusion, the only activity you need to be doing is walking and that is it. You may think that does not seem to be much,but walking is beneficial in so many ways right after a fusion. Most drs limit the sitting time too because it puts so much stress on the back. Walking will help build your strength and stamina more than you realize.

Take care....Susie
Posted 10/9/2012 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yummy…now that I know that you are 10 weeks post opp….I agree with Stray here, and you may have several more months to go before you will see how much pain has been reduced if any. Walking is important, and I hope that you are doing this several times a day, or as your surgeon has told you to do. Don't get discouraged this early in the healing process. A fusion is a surgery that patients have a hard time..understanding how long it takes to heal.

Keep us posted, and feel free to seek support here,

SE
Posted 10/9/2012 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yummy

I agree with SE and Susie, you are still in the early stages of recovery from fusion and I honestly think that you will see improvements soon. It really does take time. I have to say that, in my case, I wasn't long past the non weight bearing stage at ten weeks and my walking was limited to much less than two miles. Also I agree with SE, sitting should be limited too, just short periods. No lifting anything heavier than a kettle. One mistake I made, I didn't work as hard as I should have on my core muscle strength, I honestly can't stress just how important that is in helping to prevent further problems.

I have a surgeon who I adore, but I have to say that most surgeons, once they have 'fixed' you and sewn you back up, their job is done. They will be around if you need them, but I am sure they think that once their job is done,the rest is up to you.

Please don't despair, you are really still in the early stages of recovery. You have to be patient, find plenty to do, and I am sure things will improve for you. Some people are pain free after this surgery, but for most there will be some residual pain, but I am sure it will be better than it was pre fusion, just have faith.

Take care and keep in touch with us

Jane
Posted 10/10/2012 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
As for "failed fusion" its really hard to tell for me, I had pain coming from multiple areas so the fusion only addresses one issue, they others are still there. So I am no better off today that I was before hand. Then when things are degenerative it seems like we are just trying to stay ahead of the game, nothing will stop it. So my fusion was a failure for pain relief but a success for stabilizing the joint and avoiding an acute neurological event that is irriversible.

As for doing what you can to get the best outcome. eating right, following drs restrictions and taking care of yourself is about the best you can do. I started water therapy at about 10-12 weeks per the drs instruction, that was the best thing I did for myself.

Got to run back to work, but will be thinking about you!

Hugs,
Shell
Posted 10/11/2012 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon considers my fusion successful does that count? I am in pain everyday, I am going to have to get my pain doctor on this as the surgeon was not giving me much information and I do need to know if this numbness I am developing is because of the screw or is it a new issue maybe another disc?

I feel the hardware inside me I feel the inflamation some days far worse than others, today better than yesterday but then again maybe not because I took half a bt more than usual. I just could not have another day like thay yesterday was hell.
Posted 10/13/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
GrandmaRoses, did your bones actually fuse? Even if there is lots of pain, if they've mechanically fused the surgeon can say "tada!" How do you feel the hardware, you mean when you press on your skin? I was able to get a Medrol dose pack, and it helped IMMENSELY which I guess is a pretty solid diagnostic that my pain is primarily from inflammation. Too bad I can't take steroids all the time! You guys aren't going to believe this, but I found a *positive* result of the intense pain: I lost a lot of weight! Losing weight is probably the simplest thing I can do to reduce pain. Sort of obvious I suppose. I appreciate everyone's feedback! Thank you!
Posted 10/13/2012 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I do not mean I can touch my back and feel the hardware, sorry I did not mean to alarm you. I mean when I have any inflamation I can feel where the hardware is located also when I get cold it's like my parts get super cold.
I only wish I could loose some weight I guess sometime around my surgery my thyroid stopped working, doctor said when my medication is working I will loose some of this.
Be patent with yourself your body has lots of healing to do.
Posted 10/14/2012 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
I have just about decided that I will NOT have cervical surgery, or any kind of back or neck surgery. I have nearly unbearable pain for at least 7 hrs a day and I cannot leave my home except for dr. apts. I had thought that my pain in my feet from neuropathy was bad, but now with neck, shoulders, arms and especially hands involved I am NOT functioning. Just moving about my kitchen doing a little cooking, or even preparing a tray for meal that my hubby brings home, within 10 minutes I am moaning with mid-back pain, even in brace. I cannot eat when I am hurting so bad. Between the neuropathy, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, bone on bone knees and hips, fibromyalgia, CFS, and now this new nerve pain in my arms and hands I just feel rather desperate. I try to be strong. I have always done for myself and its very hard for me to ask for help. I appreciate all the support from this wonderful forum. Its just what I need almost everyday for a pick me up. Im ready to hit the hay and read for a minute maybe. My hands hurt to much to hold a book.....hope yall are all having a good weekend. Until later, hugs, Cathy
Posted 10/14/2012 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rose, just an interesting note, I can feel.my hardware when I push on the skin, kind of creepy and weird! It's a titanium clip clamping the two spinus process together, and there's a big plate of bone between it, and where the lamina was, though they also put a titanium cage in the disc space, and that's supposed to hold things together too apparently. It's odd that my back hurts like crazy, yet when I touch the area where they worked at, it's completely numb on the surface.
Posted 10/14/2012 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Cathy, I'm sorry your having such bad pain. Is this new pain from back problems? Or undiagnosed at this point? I shared your same fear of the surgery, but when they said my back had become so unstable that it could permanently take my ability to walk, I decided walking was more important than any of the other risks, I have a 2 year old son to look after, and I'm all he's got, so fear had to go out the window.

Hope that your able to get some kind of relief from your pain. Take care.
Posted 10/14/2012 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had a fusion that failed twice so far. My last fusion was In March 2012. Also I had a revision from the first surgery in July 2008. Its so frustrating to have a fusion that has failed two times. I just recently had a Mylogram test in September that stated Psuesoardosis which basically means failed fusion. I understand that its healing on the right side, but the left side is not fusing too well. The left side is mostly where I'm feeling most if my nerve damage and burning in my legs and feet. I'm going soon to another appt to see what other alternative my surgeon can offer me. Another bad thing is scare tissue that grows around the nerves smothering them. Not a good thing. There is so much pain associated with Failed Back Surgery syndrome.
Posted 10/18/2012 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Yummylicious & welcome,

I had my first triple cervical spine fusion (C3-C5) last year on 3/11 and I thought it failed right from the start from the intense pain... but my Dr. made me wait a year for the healing to be done.

After rounds of MRI's and X-rays found out C6 slipped so this year 5/12 had another triple fusion (C5-T1)

Was told my ribs would hold the rest of the spine so more wouldn't slip but I am still in an incredible amount of pain and my PM wants me to see a Neurosurgeon in her building and have another Mylogram (I FEAR having this test again... it was BRUTAL) due to both my arms going numb and they want to check me for TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome)

I think mine failed because it made my neck so rigid- but not it's even more so...

Lynn... I'm off to Google-> Psuesoardosis

I'm sorry for the pain everyone goes through...
Posted 10/20/2012 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had my fusion surgery 2 years ago and pain returned. I could "feel" my hardware as I moved and it bothered me considerably. After the bones fused, my doctor was able to remove my hardware. And, he found a bone spur that grew off the fused bones that was severing my nerves around the spinal cord. It completed destroyed the first level of nerves and had started working on the second level.

Ask you doctor is he can remove your hardware once everything has fused. I feel so much better and to date just have periodic pain shooting down my legs. It's livable right now.

Good luck!
Michele
Posted 10/22/2012 7:36 PM (GMT 0)

     Please read our forum rules!

   SE

Post Edited By Moderator (Screaming Eagle) : 10/22/2012 2:01:59 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/10/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
8 months 14 days since L5-S1 surgery. Realized the surgeon was supposed to call to remind me about my 6 month appointment, but they never did. (they must have already gotten their money) Am still on a fentanyl patch for pain, but change half as often as indicated. Also still taking 8mg dilaudid but typically 2-3 instead of the 6 max per day. Things are healing, but _much_ more slowly than the surgeon originally suggested. At this rate I expect to be near normal in three years.

Work demands meant I could never really "not lift", that's almost a joke to me. What working person can just say they're going to stop lifting? I guess the fact that I can get up, walk around in some pain, especially toward the end of the day, means I am indeed healing. The good news is all of this pain - sometimes so bad I felt I was going to throw up - kept me from eating, so I've lost about 40 lbs from this experience. I could probably lose another 20. I'd like to start core strength building but feel like I should wait for the doctor's approval. I submitted my physical therapy prescription a long time ago and they just never returned my call either. "We're just here to help!"
Thanks for all of your input you guys. I wish you all the best, and hope everyone can find ways to adapt to the pain and debilitation it causes. -Yummy
Posted 4/11/2013 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Yummy,thanks so much for coming back and checking in with us. From the sound of things you are still having a pretty hard time in the pain dept. So, are you saying your still have not had any physical therapy? See if you can get in with the dr & get all of this taken care of.Keep us posted...Susie
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