spondylolisthesis of the L5
 

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Hello,
I'm new to this site.
I'm looking for any helpful info on spondylolisthesis of the L5/s1 grade 2 50% slip with nerve damage.
I was told by a ER doctor i have spondylolisthesis in 2008.
And that i was born with it.
started to show in 2003.
peaked in 2008.
Almost 3 months ago i got into the pain clinic.
I'm on pain meds and a prohibitor.
It helps but needs to be bumped up.
Had all the xrays done and had the MRI done two days ago.
I will see the pain doctor in july.
And the surgyen in august.
I want the surgery done.
I have been unemployed for over a year now.
And can't get back to work the way i am now.
I'm looking for any info on this.
Anyone that has this.
Anyone that had the surgury.
What problems i will face till i get this fixed.
Any ideas of finacial help as in to help pay for the surgery.
I'm 39 going on 40 and i have to get my life back.
I have two girls that need me and i can't pay support like this.
welfare is a no go.
As well as disability.
The only help i have right now is charity care from the hospital.
I live in PA.
Any help i will be very greatful.
thank you.

Are you unemployed due to the pain, or due to the economy?

You might also want to read or post on our other forums -
Social Security Disability-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html

Layoffs, Unemployment and Worker's Compensation-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html

I suppose you have already done web searches about Spondylolisthesis - but just in case you haven't here is a link for it -
http://www.google.com/search?q=spond...ient=firefox-a

Hi ~ I'm sorry you're having such problems. I know how awful the pain can be.

Surgery isn't always the answer. Surgery does not always relieve the pain -- many times you're left with the same pain or worse after surgery. Surgery ONLY corrects mechanical problems. it's no guarantee that your pain will be relieved.

Once you have spinal surgery, often you're never the same. You will have SOME limitations after surgery -- you have to protect the back from further injury. Also, there is the danger of the "domino" effect. many times the levels above/below the surgery site will fail -- causing you more pain & the need for further surgery. This is because those levels have to take on more of the "load." So make SURE you research the kind of surgery you expect to have, so you know all the dangers & risks. Plus make sure your surgeon has done alot of these surgeries -- and do a background check on him. You can check online if he's had any lawsuits against him, i.e. malpractice, etc.

I wish you the very best -- if you do have surgery, I pray that it works for you. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee :)

About Spondy
 

Hi Steve,
So here's the deal... I have a 2 year old little boy, who basically saved my life, forcing me to get up everyday, and out of bed to play with him or to feed him, or to change him, etc... while I was recovering. I went to HSS- Hospital for Special Surgery in NY. Since you live in PA- you are close enough to go and I HIGHLY reccomend you do,as it is the #1 hospital in the entire US for Orthapedic spine proceedures, and they have financial assistance as well, based on need. I had a double level fusion- L4/L5/S1 and the difference from my pain pre surgery to post surgery is like night and day. I am a world better than I was. I am functioning and I am beginning to get my life back. I still have nerve pain, but I am going for additional testing to determine the cause. I am off the opiates finally and now on high doses of Neurontin for the nerve pain.
What Leesa said is true about the "domino effect" as high usage of the vertabre above and/or below, depending on where your issues are. So you will have to be careful with what you do and how you move, each and every day. Its all about adapting. I hate to say it but, spondylolisthesis is a condition that in my opinion will require surgery. I exhausted all of the means of PT, Epidurals and pain meds before resorting to this. Bottom line- my vetabre were falling off of my spine, and non-surgical measures were simply not going to resolve it. I had no choice, and even through the pain and recovery SUCKED, (it does and it will for you...sorry) it was worth it.
Feel free to email me for any further questions you may have...Be well and good luck!!!!:-)

Hi Steve,

The pathogenises of a spondy is repleat in the literature so I won't bore you with it. Yes, you have most assuredly had this your whole life short of a (very) traumatic injury.

Conservative treatment is strongly recommended and for good reason. The surgery is huge and wickedly brutal with about a 1 year recovery and frankly, the patients that I polled felt no better or worse after the surgery, thought it was a failed waste and wouldn't do it again. Activity modification and avoiding known precipitating events are essential with a mix of various pain management procedures like interlaminer epidurals, selective nerve root blocks, facet blocks, medial-branch blocks and pelvic traction/exercises in PT. You can try accupuncture or chiropractic as everyone has different success stories and may have something to offer. There is no good answer but I think you have some things to work with. You can also get a special lumbar elastic support that has a sleeve for which a plastic thermaform plate is contoured to your body and inserted into the sleeve. That gives some a lot of relief.

As a surgeon told me, you only do a fusion on a spondy when the patient is in prolonged intractable pain, crawling on thier hands and knees for awhile, all conservative efforts have failed and they are ready to shoot someone!

Good luck!

You have received excellent advice. Although I have had eight spinal surgeries that were basicly for stablization, I was at the "on the hands and knees" stage before I had the surgeries. The less invassive treatment was very helpful for a while. You are young enough that you are considered a good investment. When talking with the doctors or anyone else relative to financial assistance, keep emphasizing your need to obtain restored function. That's what they want to hear. Best wishes.

Lumbar fusion
 

7 weeks ago I had a lumbar fusion with Cage done. I woke up without pain for the first time in years. I am still in aw that i feel so good.

I was in such pain for years before i finally went for this. I had a neurosurgeon do it. I was in the disability process for 5 years before i was approved and could get this surgery with insurance. I am so thankful i was able to have it done.

I am 47 will be 48 christmas and feel as tho i have a second chance at life.

Never give up, keep going until you find what you need and get it.

Was your surgery to reduce a spondylolisthesis?

yes i also had spinal stenosis and bulging disc. Alot of pressure was on my nerves. I couldnt walk a block without losing all feeling in my legs and feet. I fell often. It was really getting bad.

For me it was worth it. I have too much life to live to be in pain 24/7

11 years was too much anyway.

Sure hope you can get some relief.

Hello Steverenoe
 

I just came across your post. Sorry you are having so much pain. I had spond. in my cervial spine. I do agree with Leesa. Please make sure that you need the surgery, and get second and maybe even third opinion. My first neruo surgeon fused C6-7/ Six years later, my neck acted like dominos, and above and below the origional site failed. I had also reversed the curve of my spine. Was fused a year ago C3-7. I really didn't do my homework for the first fusion, I was too busy being in pain I guess. I had trouble right after the first surgery and didn't know that other areas of my spine were left with damage. I didn't read my records until I was embarking on my second fusion. I did get great results with my last fusion. I hope you do not have to go the surgial route unless it is absolutely necessary. I had no choice in eithor of mine. Please do get your MRI and do the research on what is said, and research your neurosurgeon as much as you can. I had a different second neurosurgeon because I had not been told all the truth about my condition. I do wish you all the best. I hope you find the right resolution so that you can again have good quality of life. I know you want to take care of your family. In any case, my surgery did turn out OK in the end, it can for you too. Just do all the homework. ginnie