Back Pain Forum - Spinal Fusion For Spondylolisthesis

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Spinal Fusion For Spondylolisthesis - Please Help, Scared!

What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Spinal Fusion For Spondylolisthesis - Please Help, Scared!

asked by: Helbels on February 21st, 2006

New User

Hi everyone

this is my first post on here, so bear with me!

I have suffered with back pain since I was 14 (i'm now 33) - in my teens the back condition was of the kind where it would put me out of action flat on my back for a few days at a time. Over time however, it started to change..

A few years back I referred myself to a chiropractor because I was finding it increasingly difficult to walk any distance longer than about 5 mins. Standing was also becoming a nightmare. After regular 3 x weekly chiropractor sessions the condition stabilised and became more bearable. My walking ability increased to much better than before.

More recently, my condition has changed into a more constant nagging pain which most of the time is tolerable, sometimes requires me to take heavy duty painkillers, and at its worst gives me serious pain and bad sciatica etc. I am getting fed up with the nagging pain in my back - it's not excrutiating, but its a bit like having constant toothache - the same sort of pain.

I finally saw a spine surgeon earlier this year, and was diagnosed with grade ii spondylolisthesis at l5/s1, with a pars defect at l5. I also have degenerative disks at l5/s1, l4/l5 and l3/l4. There is bone inflammation at the l5/s1 sector.

The surgeon advised me that it is a "lifestyle decision" as to whether or not I want a spinal fusion, and its such a hard choice to make because whilst i'm not crippled by the pain, it's very constant and 20 years has been a long time to live with it. My chiropractor has always told me it's nothing to worry about and insisted I didn't even need a x-ray, which has been proved wrong and so has confused me all the more. My gp has advised that in his opinion, if I don't have the fusion now, it is more than likely that my back will give me serious problems in the future.

Overall, to be honest, i'm just scared stiff and don't know what to do. I keep dreaming of screws in my back, and in the back of my mind all I think of is "what if I end up worse than before". I'm desperately worried that I will take the decision to have the operation and then wish I had never bothered. The whole thing is seriously stressing me out.

I know that only I can make the decision, but I just seem to be getting such conflicting information from people. Does anyone have any comments or advice? Any replies gratefully appreciated.

Replies(13)

kristinaf

replied on April 14th, 2008

New User

was in same condition

Hello. I just found this forum while searching on the internet as my little daughter has just been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis as well as a bilateral fracture of pars at L5.

I had degenerative disk disease for YEARS and coped with alternative therapies, chiropractic, and towards the end, pain meds. As my condition was worsening, and I had not been able to pick up my youngest since he was 1 year old, I could not walk very much, could not bend, coughing was a nightmare, the pain unbearable, I interviewed 5 orthopaedic surgeons. I selected one and had an MRI and xrays. I was nearly bone on bone at L5S1. The potential of surgery freaked me out. The thought of metal in my body freaked me out. I was told that if I did not have surgery, likely I would be in a wheelchair due to the nerve damage and living on pain meds.

I had fusion surgery, yes, with screws and a washer and plates. This was July 25, 2006. About a year after surgery, I could walk all day long, I can pick up my children, which is difficult now, as they are 9 and 7 and REALLY heavy now, but I can do it! I have zero pain. I can travel, swim, ride a bike, cough and sneeze with no pain. I have my life back.

Really it is a decision that no person can make except you. Neither a surgeon nor a chiropractor is walking around with your spine and your life and your pain. You have been granted this one life here right now.

I don't know who you are, or if you will read this post, but I am wishing you good health and freedom from pain.
kristinaf

nice_notion

replied on April 15th, 2008

New User

Scared

I recently had fusion to L5 S1 with BMP graft and screws. I had finally had enough of pain one morning and "said" to myself i can't do this anymore.......no more.
The best advice i think i can give you is to find the right orthropedic or neurosurgeon. IT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE !
Don't hesitate to get 2nd opinions.
Best wishes with your decisions....... Smile

legend

replied on April 16th, 2008

New User

hi sorry to hear that im 32 year old male ddd L5/S1 keep it short a brief ive had lower back problems for about 10 years now have been to see lots of diffrent people who deal with back problems and finally going to have spinal fusion im scared but had enough of the pain waiting for date for the op. First people who suffer from a bad back i feel for you i really do relationship,careers,keepfit,socailising and every day living it not easy. But ive have to say ive have cryed with laughter because of so much pain if people can relate to that? good luck and i hope you make right decision

Seattle Scott

replied on April 19th, 2008

New User

My doc put it best, I think. He said he only does back surgery when his patients come in begging, because they simply can no longer live in the condition they are in.

I am kind of like you, I am not in a state of killer pain that impacts every second. I can't do the things I like anymore, have limited mobility, but can walk, sit, drive wihtout much problems. But, once I go beyond these limitations, pain.

I think this is a decision only you can make. You'll know when you are ready and being anxious is perfectly normal. If you weren't, I would say something is wrong.

best of luck.

Anonymous

replied on December 17th, 2008

ADVICE

Hi mate i can totally understand what you are going through,i have had a spinal fusion on the same 3levels L3-L4 L4-L5 L5-S1 yes there are alot of screws and rods.My surgury was broken into 2 stages firstly the doc went in from the left side of body and planted what can only be called two rods 2nd part of the surgury he planted in rods and srews,i was up on my feet 24hrs after both surgurys with a physio and i must say the pain i suffered 22yrs of my life had GONE it was only post opp pains that i was suffering from was released 5days latter with painkillers again for post opp pain,the next 5-6weeks were the best weeks no repeat pain which i suffered for so long,i felt FANTASTIC until i caught infection after infection its now been 4months since the surgury and my surgeon is now saying i may need more surgury.My case ive been told is rare but i keep thinking back to those weeks of which i can only describe as PLESURE and look forward to that again.

rollar64

replied on December 19th, 2008

Experienced User

Hi Helbels i cant tell you whether or not to have the operation i can say that you can disregard the advise from your chiropractor from what you have said in your post he has clearly made an error.

I would guess that they want to operate on your S1-L5 joint to stabilize the spondylolisthesis, but check this with your doctor or surgeon find out what procedure they want to do, and what condition they are doing it for i suggest you google spondylolisthesis and read about the condition thoroughly this will put you in the best position to make the right decision about surgery.

Good luck Helbels

littleonefb

replied on December 20th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

First of all, you should get the experience with the chiropractor out of your head. It's not uncommon for chiros to argue against surgery and continue to have you seek their treatment for years on end.

Second, being scared of any kind of elective surgery is normal and completely understandable.

Good idea to google on the spondy and learn as much as you can.

third, seek more than one opinion from spinal surgeons, both orthopedic and neurosurgeons and be sure that they are spinal specialists and specialize in spines only.
You want to use a spine specialist that does only spines and not other orthopedic issues as well.

Get all your questions answered from your present spine specialist. things like
What type of surgery is he saying you should have.
How will it be done
what will the end results give you.
what will recovery be like
How long to recover
etc.

Then get copies of all your records and tests that where done to diagnose you and seek out several other opinions.

There is more than one way to do a fusion and the more information you have, the more opinions and how different spinal surgeons would approach surgery for you can be enough for you to change spine surgeons, give you the answers you will need to make your decision. etc.

In the end, only you can make the decision to either have or not have spinal surgery. But, the more information you have, the more you understand and the more opinions you have, will make that decision easier for you.

You fear my just be normal fear of surgery and it may be that you do not have enough confidence in the spine surgeon you are using.
By getting more opinions, you will be able to determine what is making you unsure of what to do.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide, what the other opinions are and what you are thinking.

Fran

zurdoh44

replied on December 24th, 2008

New User

alternative surgery

I had a herniated disk, L5, and lived with the pain for more than 30 years, until I could no take it anymore. I was dragging my left foot, had no energy on it, and was getting worst by the day. I had 5 epidurals directly into the disk, with no success. I was at my wits end. I started researching back surgery, and did not like the options available to me at the time. I did a little more research, and found a clinical trial, here in the los angeles area, where instead of fusion, the doctors are installing plastic tubes, and a piece of rope in the middle holding it together. this surgery is very popular in Europe, and when I had it done, it was in clinical trials, as I stated above.
the surgery lasted all day friday, and by the time I woke up saturday morning, I was really frightened, because I did not feel any pain in my leg, and I thought they had amputated it. until I realized that my agony was gone for ever. my pain was gone, I felt so much relief. It has been 4 years since my surgery, and although every now and then I feel a spasm here and there, I have had no pain whatsoever, and can practice sports at my leasure. I dont know if I can put the name of the surgery here, but here it goes.. DYNESYS.
look it up.

minnie1

replied on February 10th, 2009

New User

Spinal Fusion

Hi there, this is my first post, I have just come across it as I have suffered for years with my back had a MRI and injection into the disc 3 years ago, terrible it didn't work, so have put up with pain since. Finally at Christmas I went back to my GP, I couldn't cope with mornings anymore a spinal surgeon re-did the MRI and said the option is spinal fusion on the L5 as the disc is diseased nothing else would work. I too fell apart, I cried for 7 days everytime I thought about a spine of screws, it is hard I don't know what to do. One morning you wake in so much pain you would beg for it to be done, then the next I feel I can cope and the pain is mild. I am 43 can drive and do exercise on a good day. I have started a diary and will look at it next month and then choose I think? I am with you as you face the same choice I do. I would love to hear from anyone who has made this choice and the success/failure rates.

vanessa225

replied on February 19th, 2009

New User

Have you explored other options besides surgery? Maybe check out Vax-D... that's the procedure I'm looking into.

They offer it in most major cities. I'm in chicago and found a clinic that does it.

Good luck to you!

Lollybeth

replied on May 3rd, 2009

New User

spinal fusion

I am 69 with spondylolithesis. For the past 5 years I have dealt with pain and difficulty walking. My doctor at Duke is recommending spinal fusion. I have talked to some people who said they are worse after surgery and it scares me. My husband is blind and we are pretty helpless when I am incapacitated. I want my life back but am worried about success of surgery and recovery time. I am a cancer survivor and that was an easy decision compared to this. If I wanted to live it was surgery and chemo but this is not so clear cut. Any advice? How long will recovery time be.? When could I drive again.? Is it worth the risk? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

pamlass

replied on June 19th, 2009

New User

Hi. I am 62 with severe spondylolisthesis, from which I have suffered progressively for 11 years. I can no longer manage the pain with tablets and am on the waiting list for spinal fusion along with possible other surgery. I am in constant chronic pain with no relief from any medication or treatment up to now. I have been told that the operation will not cure the problem but will hopefully reduce the pain over a period of 12 months. I too am terrified and wonder if it will be worth it. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

rollar64

replied on June 29th, 2009

Experienced User

hi pamlass it sounds as if you are in genuine need of surgery all you can really do is make sure your surgeon is good and put yourself in their hands.

wishing you all the best

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