Spinal Fusion

[FWIW]

My sister in law is going in to have this sorted out next weekend:



She’s been complaining of issues for years and we thought she was just a bit of a hypochondriac drama queen...

[jkh112]

Ructions said:

Really sorry to hear that, not the news you want after four weeks, infection is pretty rare at this stage, I was under that infection would occur much earlier.

PH Spinal Surgery Matters.

My infection did not occur during surgery (at least that is what the surgeon said!). I have a seroma so am leaking fluid which prevented the wound from healing. It is this open wound which has given the route for the bugs to get in.

[Ructions]

jkh112 said:

Ructions said:

Really sorry to hear that, not the news you want after four weeks, infection is pretty rare at this stage, I was under that infection would occur much earlier.

PH Spinal Surgery Matters.

My infection did not occur during surgery (at least that is what the surgeon said!). I have a seroma so am leaking fluid which prevented the wound from healing. It is this open wound which has given the route for the bugs to get in.

How are you feeling now, any improvement?

[jkh112]

Thanks for asking.
The temperature etc. has gone, immediate pain from the new surgery has eased and I have longer gaps between the IV antibiotics so much better.
The antibiotics inflame the arteries so I having canulas replaced regularly and they now going in some awkward places! Hopefully getting out on Saturday if my blood tests show the infection has been knocked down.
The consultant has been to see me and warned that there is still a chance the metalwork will have to come out but I am trying not to think about that.

How are you getting on, still improving?

[Ructions]

Good to hear that you are getting better, keep up the good work. Or even better keep the feet up and let everyone else do the work. I would think long and hard about having the metal work removed and ask a lot of questions before having anything else done.

My recovery is going OK, but I overdid things on Monday, went for 3 walks, which was a bit silly looking back and then overdid the celebrations a little when James McClean scored against Wales, so things were pretty quiet yesterday. Also the anti inflammatory (vimovo) is causing rapid weight gain, something that I could really do without, why can't they prescribe something the causes rapid weight loss?

I'm scheduled to go in for some sacroiliac joint injection's on the 18th which will hopefully improve things a little.

[jkh112]

I had those injections after my decompression but they did nothing for me so I hope they are better for you.
I went on to have a denervation. Let me know if you are thinking of going down that route later.


If I had not spoken to my surgeon before the op on Saturday
I think he would have removed the metal. He knows how much I want to keep it in but apparently if the infection gets onto it then it will have to come out.

[Ructions]

jkh112 said:

I had those injections after my decompression but they did nothing for me so I hope they are better for you.
I went on to have a denervation. Let me know if you are thinking of going down that route later.

I've had about a dozen sets of various injections over the last 3 years and not one of them has had any real effect.

If I could turn the clock back I would not have had the last op. As bad as the pain was before the op, it was manageable and I was on a lot less medication than I am now, though I am aware that it would have progressively got worse. The pain immediately after the op was indescribable, I have never experienced anything like it. I seriously doubt that I will have any more surgery.

[jkh112]

Your pain after the last surgery sounds like me after my op 3 years ago.
Unfortunately I went on to have serious nerve compression which prevented me walking so was forced into more surgery so took the chance of a fusion.

[dreamer75]

Fingers crossed for you both - how are you both today?! Physio has just suggested I might need L1/2 scanning - she's been treating me for my SI joint which keeps locking up, and leg pain, along with seized back for a few months now - she's concerned it could be an issue which might need surgical intervention. Sounds stupid but I have this principle that as soon as the hospitals get involved, or I have to phone BUPA, then it's seirous. If I can pay out of my pocket for physio and not involve anybody else then it's just a flare up. Really don't need another level to have gone!!!!

[jkh112]

Dreamer,
This thread is turning into our own support group!
Sorry to hear you might another level gone, I know what you mean about things going to the next level once insurers etc get involved.
Keep us updated.

[Ructions]

I've got into some sort of routine, but sadly it involves medication so I can have some semblance of a normal life. Take an anti inflammatory and a couple of tramadol first thing and then an hour or so later I'm able to move ok-ish. As long as I don't over do things during the day I can avoid taking further meds. On a day that I have to take any more tramadol I'm a bit of a zombie and won't even attempt to drive as I know my own limits and I wouldn't be in full control.

I went to see a pain management psychologist earlier this year, I've studied a fair bit of psychology myself so knew what to expect, but she completely threw me with a very simple question. What if this next surgery doesn't cure my pain? Because my previous surgery on my cervical spine was so successful it really didn't cross my mind that this one would be any different. I had the utmost faith in my neurosurgeon. I'm quite a resilient person, I've come back from a lot worse from this and I have quite a high pain threshold, but this is a lot harder than I expected. Maybe age is a factor also. We'll see how these injections go next week, but maybe it's time to try something different. All suggestions welcome.

Oddly my pharmacist has suggested cannabis oil, maybe I'm a bit old school or maybe I'm one of the very few who have never tried cannabis, but it just doesn't sit right with me. I'd also prefer to get this repaired properly rather than take something to mask the pain or dull the senses. Apologies for the long winded post.

[Sticks.]

dreamer75 said:

Fingers crossed for you both - how are you both today?! Physio has just suggested I might need L1/2 scanning - she's been treating me for my SI joint which keeps locking up, and leg pain, along with seized back for a few months now - she's concerned it could be an issue which might need surgical intervention. Sounds stupid but I have this principle that as soon as the hospitals get involved, or I have to phone BUPA, then it's seirous. If I can pay out of my pocket for physio and not involve anybody else then it's just a flare up. Really don't need another level to have gone!!!!

I have had SIJ pain for some time and I was told that it is a disc/nerve issue @ L4/5. This was confirmed by MRI. Surgery's a last resort as far as I'm concerned so I keep on top of it by exercise, some in water. My physio still does some SIJ release exercises as well as loosening other muscles.

Point is, don't go thinking the worst.

If you haven't, perhaps get referred for MRI and to see someone at Stanmore. There's a long wait for they really are top notch. Btw if you find MRI claustrophobic, as I do, there's an upright one in London - sitting between two plates.

IANAD (as you can tell lol) but had a L1 vertebrecomy 18 years ago, so fused T12-L2.

Nick

[dreamer75]

@Ructions - I had many a chat about acceptance vs giving in with my pain management psychologist. I was the same as you - the surgery was the light at the end of the tunnel, and post surgery there was no more light. So what then, when there was still significant pain? Got off the Tramadol (watch out for the dependence and phase it out when you get to that stage) and the Gabapentin, but still was almost house bound and unable to function. After a handful of sessions something clicked in my head and I managed to move forwards. I don't like to pick it apart too much in case it undoes the good work tbh, but it helped massively.

@jkh112 - thank you, and it is isn't it! Feeling quite a bit better today/yesterday so fingers crossed. If I've learnt anything it's how complex bodies are, and how things you think can't possibly be associated, actually are! Pain in your toe? Oh that's probably your shoulder

@Sticks - I find the MRIs very soothing and usually have a little snooze! Something about the noise makes me feel like they're a living breathing animal! 2 spine surgeries, lots of scans and various other injuries requiring scans, mean I've been in them a few times !

[Ructions]

dreamer75 said:

@Ructions - I had many a chat about acceptance vs giving in with my pain management psychologist. I was the same as you - the surgery was the light at the end of the tunnel, and post surgery there was no more light. So what then, when there was still significant pain? Got off the Tramadol (watch out for the dependence and phase it out when you get to that stage) and the Gabapentin, but still was almost house bound and unable to function. After a handful of sessions something clicked in my head and I managed to move forwards. I don't like to pick it apart too much in case it undoes the good work tbh, but it helped massively.

I've only had one appointment with the pain management psychologist, I'm not due to see her again until 6-9 months after surgery, but I may arrange something after the injections on Wednesday, they haven't worked in the past, but we are now trying them in a different area. At the minute it feels like I am more of a customer than a patient, if that makes sense.
Tramadol isn't really an issue, I'm now on a lower dose and its now an all in one tablet with paracetamol and the anti inflammatories have made a big difference, but the side effects are weight gain, a hell of a lot over the last ten days, but I think most of it is water retention.

[jkh112]

Looks like I am going home today
Another 4 to 6 weeks on oral antibiotics and regular blood tests but a small price to pay if I get to keep my metalwork with the associated pain relief.

[Ructions]

jkh112 said:

Looks like I am going home today
Another 4 to 6 weeks on oral antibiotics and regular blood tests but a small price to pay if I get to keep my metalwork with the associated pain relief.

Great news. Don’t over do things when you get home.

[dreamer75]

jkh112 said:

Looks like I am going home today
Another 4 to 6 weeks on oral antibiotics and regular blood tests but a small price to pay if I get to keep my metalwork with the associated pain relief.

Whoop whoop! You'll feel so much better for being at home! Look after yourself!

[dreamer75]

Ructions said:

I've only had one appointment with the pain management psychologist, I'm not due to see her again until 6-9 months after surgery, but I may arrange something after the injections on Wednesday, they haven't worked in the past, but we are now trying them in a different area. At the minute it feels like I am more of a customer than a patient, if that makes sense.
Tramadol isn't really an issue, I'm now on a lower dose and its now an all in one tablet with paracetamol and the anti inflammatories have made a big difference, but the side effects are weight gain, a hell of a lot over the last ten days, but I think most of it is water retention.

Not sure where you're based, but the lady I saw now works out of Guildford I think. I can send you her details if that's helpful. I seem to remember it was extortionately expensive, but in terms of life change it has been without comparison.

Physio now believes it's not a L1/2 issue (PHEW) but for some reason all the muscles on my right side core are spasm'd / seized and we just can't get them to release. My ribs, my back, my stomach, my side, and then down to my knee. V odd. However the good news is, I've now had 2 weeks without the SI seizing up What have I changed? My home office setup (ditched the second screen which I kept twisting to look at), new mattress (AMAZING), weekly pilates class (I had got lazy) and stretching religiously every day (while other half makes dinner - that's love!). Even managed 3 bike rides (I was cycling 2-3 times/week until about a year ago) which is fab. Now to figure out why everything's seizing up!

[Ructions]

dreamer75 said:

Ructions said:

I've only had one appointment with the pain management psychologist, I'm not due to see her again until 6-9 months after surgery, but I may arrange something after the injections on Wednesday, they haven't worked in the past, but we are now trying them in a different area. At the minute it feels like I am more of a customer than a patient, if that makes sense.
Tramadol isn't really an issue, I'm now on a lower dose and its now an all in one tablet with paracetamol and the anti inflammatories have made a big difference, but the side effects are weight gain, a hell of a lot over the last ten days, but I think most of it is water retention.

Not sure where you're based, but the lady I saw now works out of Guildford I think. I can send you her details if that's helpful. I seem to remember it was extortionately expensive, but in terms of life change it has been without comparison.

Physio now believes it's not a L1/2 issue (PHEW) but for some reason all the muscles on my right side core are spasm'd / seized and we just can't get them to release. My ribs, my back, my stomach, my side, and then down to my knee. V odd. However the good news is, I've now had 2 weeks without the SI seizing up What have I changed? My home office setup (ditched the second screen which I kept twisting to look at), new mattress (AMAZING), weekly pilates class (I had got lazy) and stretching religiously every day (while other half makes dinner - that's love!). Even managed 3 bike rides (I was cycling 2-3 times/week until about a year ago) which is fab. Now to figure out why everything's seizing up!

I’m in for sacroiliac joint injection's today, will see how this goes before looking at something new, but I’ve got to be honest and say that I don’t have a lot of faith in these injections. I had ten different sets of injections in my neck and back over the last two and a half years and they’ve had little or no effect. Or at least I’ve needed surgery in both my neck and back after numerous courses of injections in both areas.
Added to this I’m also booked in to have my fifth set of Botox injections in my left eye for the double vision caused by the accident, a sixth nerve palsy that I was told would repair itself within six months. But the lady doing them is drop dead gorgeous and from most angles I can see two of her.

[krusty]

I had a spinal fusion 30 years ago when I was 19. (Rugby incident) I have to say it hasn't stopped me doing anything although on a cold, damp winters morning it takes a bit longer now to get the joints warm. Having to wear a Boston Brace plastic Harness for 6 months after was the worse part.