I am 36 years old. I first started having lower back pain in my later teens. I saw my
family doc and was told I had a floating disc. Exercise he told me. I did that for a while
and had no relief. Next came the pain killers and muscle relaxers. Over the next 10 years
I lived with my back pain getting worse. I had other medical problems (ovarian cysts)
which led to 4 surgeries to correct that problem. My back was getting worse. It was
time to find out what the problem was, I was 35 years old and my life was a living hell. I
could do nothing. I was recommended to an ortho doc. He took X-Rays and saw some narrowing
between discs L4-5
S1-2. Next was the MRI. It showed 2 slipped discs. Next was nerve blocking. I was
scheduled for laminectomy. Two days before surgery he cancelled and sent me to a Neuro
Surgeon. He felt he could not help me and the surgery he was going to do would not help.
So I went with MRI and X-rays in hand. My first visit proved I had a very serious back
condition. The doctor determined I had Arthritis in my lower back. Over the years the
arthritis ate at my lower back causing 2 slipped discs. They were so far gone that they
were shattered, and I actually was living with bone on bone. Fusion would be the way to
go. He explained the entire procedure to me. I was devastated. Why me? After much research
about Fusion I decided I would have the surgery. I could not live like this any
longer. My next obstacle was getting my HMO to approve the surgery. They said I did
not need the surgery. I fought them tooth and nail for 2 months. Finally I got the
okay, and two weeks later was scheduled for Fusion Surgery. I had a team of 3 surgeons.
One was a Neuro, one was a Ortho and one was a General Surgeon. My surgery took 9 hours.
They did the
anterior approach. They removed what was left of two discs, most of the discs were
fragments lodged in and around my spine. My hip was graphed for the implants, and donor
bone was also used. Surgery went very well. The next morning, 15 hours after
surgery, physical therapy came, they put my TSO brace on and got me out of bed, and made
me take 10 steps. I could stand and walk was my first big joy. I knew then with some hard
work ahead I was going to be okay. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days.
I wore the brace for 4 months after surgery. Then was in physical therapy 3 times a week
for 2 months. It has been a year since my surgery and I have had NO BACK PAIN. My life is
back and I can do it all. I run every morning, and exercise everyday. Thanks to the team
of Surgeons and Fusion Surgery I am a new person.
Barb has been kind enough to offer anyone interested to e-mail her..
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