More lumbar surgery for me. UGGHH

[jsewell]

I saw my spine surgeon today. I do have a fracture at L4. It is the end of the fusion and my body just could not take it. When L-2 was the end it also fractured.
My surgeon is not sure if he will extend the fusion to include L-5 or just remove some hardware and put some cement in L-4 . He is off on vacation for 3 weeks and my next apt is June 4th. He will then decide which surgery to do so i must research so i have my decision (if that is possible)

I almost can't believe i am at it again in the OR.
judy

[Maria]

Judy,
Sorry to read this!! I do hope perhaps the less involved option will be what will happen for you.... so sorry to read this!!! Maybe we can get together before your surgeon returns and I have my foot surgery.

You just didn't need this

[jsewell]

That would be good to get together before we become slightly incapacitated!!
I rode a bike in physical therapy today, it felt good, but of course it is one of those that you sit up with a nice back rest!!
judy

[mmglobal]

If your bone quality is compromised, or if the long fusion puts too much load on what it's attached to, won't making the fusion longer, give you even higher risk of it happening again? (because the fusion is longer, more load is transmitted to adjacent segment and lowest hardware?

Is there any way you could get a motion preserving device below the fusion? Might be tough to consider because of the fracture is where you'd need to put a device.

I'm so sorry that you are facing more surgery.... seems like you can't catch a break.

All the best,

Mark

[jsewell]

I was wondering the same thing Mark. so when my surgeon gets back in town i will ask him if i will just continue having the lowest level become a problem. I don't know if he feels the pain in my butt is coming from L-5 or if he needs it to keep the fractured L-4 stable. He sure couldn't decide so he promised he would on June 4th. I'm really not up for it on one hand , on the other it just seems like surgery is what i do , part of my routine!

i did find out my calcium loss is coming from me peeing it out.My endocrinologist did a certain urine test that i failed miserably. So now i need to go on some type of treatment for bone strength. Wish they had found this out when i was first put on fosomax 7 years ago. I only took it for 3 as the reports came out about osteocronosis of the jaw and i wanted no part of that.

judy

[Maria]

Judy,
I know you want to have surgery w/your surgeon tho I'm just wondering if you wouldn't want to at least get a 2nd surgical opinion. They are covered by the insurance generally as it's always recommended to get a 2nd surgical opinion so coverage for the opinion shouldn't be a prob. Maybe w/one of the spine surgeon Mark knows well in LA area?

I was supposed to get Prolia authorized (2 injex/year) but the Rheumatologist received some kind of notice from my insurance provider saying the services weren't covered altho it was their mistake and they were supposed to correct it which I guess they have not.

I didn't want any part of the potential for jaw necrosis either that could be caused by drugs like Fosamax tho did use Forteo for a while tho was not compliant w/treatment so no improvement. I'm sure I'll pay for this at some point in the future...

[jsewell]

I think maybe i should get a second opinion, not sure as my surgeon knows my problems with my back so well. But might not be a bad idea. I have the x-rays on CD at my physical therapists office so i might .
time seems to be a problem for me lately for some reason.
Unfortunately prolia has the same side effects as the other drugs .One of its main typical side effects is , ready BACK PAIN
judy

[Maria]

Judy,
I used Forteo for a while (sub q injec) tho as I said wasn't compliant. At first there was overall joint pain and increased back pain. Tho it didn't last long .. something like after the first week or so it went away.

re the 2nd opinion thing.. yeah.. tho it'd be good maybe to have a fresh opinion w/someone that doesn't know your complete history and sees you for the first time and gives an opinion based on what's going on now, what you've had done and what they think you need to have done.

Is it emergent to schedule another surgery? If not I'd take the time for 2nd and even 3rd surgical opinion.

Even if you'd not have anyone else touch your back hearing a few other opinions could be well worth the time it takes to arrange your schedule.

[jsewell]

The problem is Maria that the fracture causes pain and the sooner the better as far as i am concerned. Although i am still looking at 6 weeks minimum to have it fixed.
judy