I had L5-S1 replaced, after 6 months my pain was worse than ever. My dr. recommended fusion when I asked about removing the disc I was told that odds were that I would not make it through the surgery do to severe bleeding. So now I have 2 rods and a disc. Hindsight being 20/20 I should have never let them cut me in the first place. At least then I knew what caused my pain today they tell me they did everything right and I don't have this pain It is all in my head. with all that said I would find a different Dr. and get another opinion before I would do anymore surgery I know I did not and am paying dearly today.

Jarhead2063,

you should also be looking for another opinion as well.

Did you have BMP used with your fusion?

If they did not remove the disc with your fusion, you could very well be suffering from the disc pressing on nerves.

Get another opinion.

Fran

Unfortunately my back injury happened at work and I can not see any other Dr. for this until the case is closed (I know sounds stupid, But that's the law in Illinois).The worst part is that on rainy days I can barely tolerate the pain even with the meds and on good days I am at best miserable. You can bet that if I find a Dr. that will see me the way things are I'll be making an appointment asap. By the way I did have bone morphgenic protein. Thanks for the advice Dave

HMM, you had BMP used when your fusion was done.

Have you had any CT scans done to see if there is overgrowth of that could be causing your pain?

Complications of BMP use is overgrowth of bone that presses on nerves or wraps around the nerves. Documented by the FDA.

It could be that the artificial disc is pressing on nerves as well.

I also know of the laws in Illinois on WC, but also know that you can push to have another opinion done, especially with complications such as yours.

I know someone that had to fight it to be done, refused to close the WC case and found a doctor that has experience with BMP and has done research on it as well.

She was able to get WC to approve the second opinion and then subsequently had 2 surgeries to fix her problem that was caused by BMP.

You should push to have the WC approve another opinion. You should not have to suffer like this.

Fran

Thanks for your reply. When I say the procedure did not work my doctor also claims it was a success, seems to be a familiar theme from people I've spoken to. Think I'll give the fusion a miss. I guess I'll just have to accept it and move on.

Hope things improve for you.