[Maria]

Debra,
Prior to the autofusion I had a great deal of probs with my lumbar spine. There is DDD from L1-L5S1 worse in L3-L5S1, I had a disectomy on L5S1 and L4 and both rebulged, and L3 has an anular tear, and there is nerve root scarring at rt. S1.

The vertebrae are aligned I think tho there is some scoliosis in the lumbar verebrae (and thoracic). I used to have problems when getting up from a sitting position or going into it. Had to lower myself down with care and getting up had to hold on to something or pull myself up (usually avoided sitting because my back would go out too easily.

I used to experience a sharp pain across my low back that would lay me out for weeks at a time. Much spasming and couldn't move re the pain when it would happen. I'd have to say that I had debilitating spasms on a rather frequent basis and the duration or time I was down (in bed) was long in terms of weeks. Sitting too long still can throw my back into a tizzy but at least I can sit which is something I avoided for years!

Now this spasming doesn't occur much. When it does it still can lay me out however for a much shorter duration and frequency of spasms are much less.

I've also found that an injection of Toradol will usually alleviate the spasming and allow me to return to normal functioning that same day or by the very least the next day.

I definately think that the dessication of the L5S1 disc has made for less pain at that level at least. Not that I don't still have problems tho not nearly as much as in the past. (knock on wood)!