The buldges are 2mm and 3mm.. and I have some narrowing in the disks. Waiting to get my Dr. to check reports. Surgery an option? I've had fusion before at 16 yrs. of age.. 5-12T The Sciatica pain is still there..Possibly from the foraminal narrowing?
2007-03-22 06:27:45 · 4 answers · asked by xjaz1 5 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
i'd assume that the prior fusion was for schuermann's kyphosis (T5-12 is uncommon for scoliosis and girls)? unfortunately, when you have one portion of your spine fused, the kinematics and stress distribution around the remaining unfused areas change, for the worse. so it is not uncommon to have other parts, especially the lower and more mobile part (lumbar) deteriorate faster.
what to do now depends on many factors, your age, your symptoms (if any neurologic compression), how the rest of the spine look, etc.
surgery can always be an option from a simple microdiskectomy (an outpatient procedure), to decompression, to fusion.
best thing to do is to go over the mri with your spine surgeon and ask him what the possible options are, including non-surgical.
good luck man
2007-03-22 16:17:19 · answer #1 · answered by calbearlai--please read disclaim 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you saying your entire upper back is fused, levels 5-12? That is some serious fusing. I would think the portion of your lumbar that is bulging is the issue, not the thorasic area. I myself would not go for another surgery, I've had two on my neck and have other back issues, surgery is not always the answer, and oftentimes make things worse. I would try physical therapy, a strenuous workout, and anti inflammatory meds. Learning to live with pain is also important, much of it can be controlled by the mind.
2007-03-22 07:28:18 · answer #2 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are scaring me I had a fusion L4-L5 3 years ago and I do not ever want to have that surgery ever again! if you had an anterior/posterior spinal fusion you know what I am talking about, but you may luck out the just approved the artificial disk and it is suppose to be less evasive. check that out before you sign up for another fusion.
2007-03-22 06:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by kissybertha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
soreness interior the back of your knee isn't a properly-known place to have soreness from an L4-5 disc herniation. in the back of the knee and outer ankle are actually not the main probable places to have soreness while the L4-5 disc is pressing on a nerve. oftentimes... it would return and forth out of your back, with the aid of your buttocks, flow over to the outer thigh, down the lateral edge of the leg, and ought to flow so some distance as your ft.
2016-10-19 08:37:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋