Jim, Blair, Laura,
Yesterday, I had Dr. Fuller (a local pain mngmnt doc) try to aspirate the cyst on my right side L5-S1 facet joint. He tried 3 different entry points but could not get the needle into it.
I'm hurting from all of the poking around and frustrated. Fusion is sounding better and better. I will give it until the summer I suppose.
The question becomes if I fuse. Do I go for a 360 degree? I'd be scared to only fuse the back for fear that there would be enough motion in the front to cause problems. Also posterior fusions can have issues like screws loosening and not enough bone growth in between the vertebra. If I remove the Charite and fuse from the front there may be enough motion in the rear to cause me facet pain.
My head hurts!
