[Maria]

Carla,
My history of low back probs is long starting in early 80's so original films date back to then and up until mid (2006) 2000's. Last diagnostic was an xray that my OSS had ordered because an MRI wouldn't have been warrented as I was feeling better not worse. At this point he said L5S1 has autofused.

*** I'm editing to add that since the L5S1 disc has thought to been autofused I have FAR LESS stiffness and MUCH MORE mobility. What do I conclude? That the stiffness I experienced in the past was more related to an effort of the body to stabilize the spine against the spasming that was going on and some degree of arthritic type of condition if not mobile enough. I RARELY experience stiffness now and if I do it's likely do to the L4 level that's still bulging.

I would think so as there's been a marked improvement at this level since about 2005. I had great difficulty sitting but more so what I considered instability because my back used to "go out" so frequently and I'd spend weeks in bed trying to recuperate.

Now the only time I have problems of this degree is when I either sit too much or I end up hobbling due to other concerns like foot or knee problems as then my back seems to torque and spasms set in.

I have however found that an injection of 60mg Toradol IM will usually ease the spasms to the point of a quick resolution/recovery.

The autofusion as a natural process takes a long time I think and in my case it seems it has taken something like 24 years. I have to admit that I'm still glad I waited because the difference between how I feel and how I felt is enormous however I don't think I'd recommend waiting this long to someone younger. It's just the path I took and greatly because of a failed spine surgery in '92 and never wanting to feel that badly again for as long as I did (5 years post surgery).