Hi,

Ive been lurking this site since my last spinal fusion, what spurred my registration is this report. Now I'm no stranger to this stuff but both previous MRI reports were unremarkable for anything but the one area they fused. This MRI report is 2 pages long so I'm spooked and have been worrying since I peeked at them.

Ill summarize:

Findings - Post-op change/Modic type II at L5-S1 (first surgical site)
Posteriolisthesis at L4-L5 (most recent surgical site)

Axial Imaging Shows:

L1-2 - Broad Based Disk Bulge with central spinal stenosis + bilateral
foraminal stenosis without lateral recess stenosis

L2-3 - Same as above

L3-4 - Broad based disk bulge, degenerative facet disease and ligamentum
flavum redundancy, moderate central spinal stenosis mild bilateral
foraminal stenosis

L4-5 - Broad based disk bulge, mild central spinal stenosis, bilateral foraminal
stenosis that's worse on the right side

L5-S1 - Broad based disc bulge, mild central spinal stenosis, lateral
components of the disk bilaterally displace L5 nerve roots bilaterally


Ive been pain for 2 years while my doctors told me it was everything from
an ulcer to random nerve pain that I just have to live with. I've done 3 rounds of 3 steroid injections with no lasting relief.

Then I started falling when I got up from sitting because my kneecaps and groin area would go numb but I couldn't tell so when I tried to get up I just ate floor.

Like I said, Ive had two fusions but I was healthy/unremarkable disk-wise on all the other vertebrae So its jarring to see all this stuff.

Any insight would be helpful, I'm a real panicky Pete this go round for some reason. Thanks

Hello,
I can't help with your questions I'm sorry, but I
just wanted to welcome you to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

If you have any questions please just ask and there's also a
New Members Introduction Forum
if you ever want to introduce yourself with a general post.

take care.

Thanks. I think I am going to push for full lumbar fusion. It seems that they are going to have to operate at this point and having my life interrupted every 4 years is starting to wear me down, better to just get it all out of the way and hope for the best.

I cant keep a job and I cant finish school without my back going to pieces on me, maybe the time for playing conservatively is over. Hopefully since I've seen the same doc for all surgeries he understands my situation.

Yes you have reason to worry. The last sentence where the nerve root was being pushed is most likely the source of most of your pain. You need another two opinions. Don't do any surgery until you get those other opinions, even if you loved the surgeon you had.
If balance, bathroom, issues are presenting, you need someone to take a hard look to see if there is anything else that can be done outside of surgical intervention. Avoid if at all possible.
I took the steroid shots too. Don't let them talk you into more. If the first set don't work, usually the rest will not either.
Has your doctor mentioned Ketamine infusions? This is what I had when my spine was awful, before my last fusion. It works. It is just a question of finding the pain specialist who uses this medication. It did work for me, and lasted a few months at a time. It didn't hurt either. Used fluoroscope.
I know all this is very scary as you have already been through so much. Do look up each and every term, so when you go to the doc. next you will be armed with information, and many more questions. AT the End of the MRI, last page was there a summary?
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

I am currently on 30mg oxycontin IR and 60mg ER a day, have been since Dec. 2012. It stopped working at the doses I am on about 6 months ago but my PC didn't want to raise the dosage. I agree with his decision, although that means I am in pain most of the time.

My insurance doesn't cover ketamine either topically or otherwise, my pain mgmt doc went over my options after all 3 shot rounds failed. Its either more pills of different opioids or a dilaudid pump. They typically don't support off label uses or what they term experimental solutions, they wouldn't even pay for lyrica after my first surgery since it was technically used for an unrelated ailment/diagnosis. The other doctors I have tried to see have told me that they cannot/will not take me as a patient (they wouldn't even tell me why) and that I should go to my original neurosurgeon, so I am stuck there too.

I just want it fixed, even if its just for 4 more years that's long enough for me to finally finish my degree, which I've been trying to do since 2007.

Forgot to mention the summary:

1. Degenerative changes as above, most significant @ L3-L4 and of the neural foramen @ L5-S1.

2. Postoperative change.

3. Lack of contrast limits evaluation for scar.


Also had a pelvis MRI that shows:

Degenerative changes of the SI joints with increased T2 signal/increased T1 signal noted at the SI joints, especially posteriorly. Soft tissues, muscles, and pelvic contents are normal.

Saw my neurosurgeons nurse today and she said I def need l3-l4 operated on so I see my surgeon in 2 weeks. Gotta get x-rays, contrast MRI, and a CAT between now and then.

She said he may have to do something with my old fusions but he will need more imaging to be more specific.