Spinal fusion L5-S1 for spondylolisthesis, pain worsening

[nettymacd]

Hi there, I had spinal fusion with instrumentation in Feb 2015 for grade 2 spondylolisthesis as all other avenues had been explored but to no avail. After a lengthy recovery things started to improve but then slowly worsened. Scans showed that excess bone had grown trapping a sciatic nerve which accounted for pains and weakness in left leg, but this did not explain the extreme discomfort, cramps and pain in my lower back. At the last appointment with the consultant, he said that 'sometimes we don't know what causes back pain' and proceeded to tell me that around 40% of the Inuit population have spondylolisthesis and they don't have surgery. I was told there is nothing more they can do for me and he would refer me to the pain clinic. He did not recommend that I have surgery to remove the excess bone to free up the nerve as it's too risky. I can't believe that I have been dismissed in this way and feel that he has no understanding of what I am facing. I'm 51 and feel that my life is ruined. The pain and discomfort is relentless and only occasionally relieved by Oxycodone. Sorry for such a long post, but I thought I'd try a forum as I'm running out of options.

[Nitrobunny]

Hi Netty 😊 I'm sorry I can't be of much help and I cannot imagine what pain you're having to endure especially with the trapped sciatic but hopefully one or more of the wonderful people here may have some wisdom for you. It's really a lovely bunch of people and everyone has been incredibly kind to me.

~gentle hugs~

Best~

S

[beeckey]

I am so sorry that you have been left in so much pain you wonder how they could live like that.I had surgery on my back and i have back pain that i was told i would have to live with but at least mine is not nerve pain as that is hard hope you can get some relief x

[AgedCrone]

Have you thought of getting a second opinion? Different surgeons have different views on the way to proceed.

I broke my neck in a car accident & the first doctor I saw just tutted & said I'd need a to wear a surgical collar forever as it was too risky to operate.

Very luckily I found a surgeon with a different view, he operated and I was playing tennis 6 months later.

So don't give up...talk to your GP ....or your rheumy nurse......I found my new surgeon through my physio.

[nettymacd in reply to AgedCrone]

I am going to get a second opinion as I'm not happy. I think there are more investigations which could be done, even if the end result is 'no cure', 'd just like a diagnosis. When the problem was first discovered 31 years ago, I was offered a steel corset and some enormous tablets! Needless to say, as a young woman I refused the steel corset (not sexy!).

[Hidden]

Hi nettymacd,

this organisation may be able to give some advice:

backcare.org.uk/

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[nettymacd in reply to Hidden]

Hi Beverley, thank you for the link, I'm going to have a look.

Ginette

[Marycullen]

try a good chiropractor. Have had back problems and broke back and thank goodness I didn't get operated on. So many people are in worse,shape. Now with chiropractic I have my life back even with the RA