Spinal Surgery

[Guest guest]

> On Sat, 3 Sep 2005, ames wrote " has any one had a limdecominy-spine bone

replaced "

Ames,

I have had spinal fusion and an laminectomy. Before hand, I was in

incredible pain and was unable to stand, sit or walk and was bed ridden

for 4 months. I had spondlylolethesis where L5 had slipped off S1, almost

75%. Before a fall, I had been able to carefully navigate and was trying

to find someone to do the surgery. The first neurosurgeon wouldn't because

of all the autoimmune problems (SLE, Sjogren's Syndrome, Hashimoto's

thyroid, plus the spondloarthropathy). I did find a good one at

Providence Hospital in Southfield MI. The results were amazing - that

awful nerve pain in the feet and legs went away immediately and 3 days

after the surgery, I was able to walk better than I had in years. That's

not to say that it wasn't really difficult and painful surgery but my leg

WORKED for the first time in years, I was able to lift it up to walk. So,

it was worth it for me to do. My sister has the same condition but not as

bad and doesn't have the autoimmune issues and she is delaying the surgery

as long as she can although she is going to go in and see my surgeon for a

consultation. Anyhow, mine was an unusual condition and apparently

unusually bad but I had good results. It didn't all go away - I am

currently having more problems than I've had since the surgery

(unfortunately, I'm on vacation so its messing up plans) but compared to

what was, its nothing! Even if it hurts, I can control my leg!

I don't know if my experience will help any but I would suggest you at

least get a consultation with a neurologist, if you haven't, Ames. Then

you would know what was going on and they can deal better with treating

nerve pain. A consultation with a neurosurgeon would let you know what

they could and couldn't do. Good luck. I know how hard it is to think,

make decision, and figure out what to do when you are so much in pain. It

took 8 days in the hospital before I got people to sit up and take notice

and give me the help I needed. If I can be of any help with my

experiences, let me know. I will be checking my e-mail even before I get

home.

Meg

>

[Guest guest]

I am new to this group.

I was having constant pain in my right arm and the back of my neck. I had

surgery on 11/6/08 for a torn rotator cuff. After six months and 4 months of PT

my pain never went away. Went back to the doctor and he ordered an MRI of my

spine. I was sent to a spine specialist that confirmed that I had Spinal

Stenosis.

Dcs C5; C6 and C7 were deteriorating and the cushioning between the vertebrae

was slipping on one another causing the spinal canal to narrow, creating

pressure on the spinal nerve. The doctor said that this was causing the pain in

my right arm and shoulder.

I had a three level fusion with a titanium plate on 5/27/09. I am wearing a hard

collar 24/7. I am still having chronic pain in my right shoulder and arm. The

doctor said this was normal and would go away. It has been 4 weeks since my

surgery and the pain is not much better.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, does it get better?

Barbara Curtis

281-379-1133