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Surgery wasn't what I thought.....

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Posted 4/6/2010 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

Ok, I have finally figured out something about my last surgery.... I thought I had a regular Spinal Fusion at L4-S1 due to Severe Spinal Stenosis back about 5 years ago.  On my latest MRI last month I noticed something...as did a few of my friends here at HW.  It showed that I still have my discs.  So, after much confusion I finally figured it out...

 

I was at WebMD and low and behold I saw it...I had Decompression Surgery with Spinal Fusion w/o hardwear.

 

So that's it....I'm not sure what it means exactly.  I mean, when I thought I'd had my discs removed my options were taken away for anything else being done.  Now I'm not sure...But I did read that most people that have this done have to have it redone at least 2 more times.  That sucks!! 

 

If anyone knows anything about it I would love to hear from you. 

 

From what I understand the only thing different is that they didn't take out discs...they still used crushed up bone and blood that they removed during surgery and laid it out on both sides of my spine to Fuse my spine together...so that part is what I thought. 

 

What does this mean folks?  Help me out.

 

I go back to the PM Doc tomorrow at 12:30... I'm hoping that he can tell me what our next step will be since my Stenosis is back (did it ever go away) with a vengence.... Will he want to do more surgery? More injections?(no to that one).nono shakehead

Me.idea

Posted 4/6/2010 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda,
I really think you need to ask your doctor specifically what procedure you had, and get the records from your surgeon so you know. That's the only way you're going to know for sure. And I suspect a neurosurgeon is going to be the only one who can tell you what options may be available to you now, after he/she reads your current MRI and any other needed tests.

Educating yourself is one of the best things you can do, but you first need the info. from the doc who did the procedure so you know what to research.

Good luck!

PaLady
Posted 4/6/2010 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda, Palady beat me to it, and she is right. Is there any way you can call the center or the surgeon that did the surgery to find out exactly what you had done. As far as more injections or surgery, that will be a tough choice, but lets wait and see what the PM has to say, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure he is the one to make that determination.
I can tell you that right now, with the way I feel, surgery would be the last thing I would do. Ask me again in 6 to 8 months and the answer may be very different or the same. Time will tell.

Good luck to you with your PM appointment tomorrow.

SE
Posted 4/6/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Rhonda

I see my PM late morning tomorrow also! ( a follow-up on my epidurals in my neck) I do wish you well on your appointment, I do hope that he can help you, and try and figure out what should be your next move. Maybe he will refer you to to a surgeon to see what he will recommend? Hopefully you will get some answers, and better yet some kind of action that will give you some relief!

Good Luck to You!

White Beard
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