Does surgery for spondylolisthesis help relieve pain?

I am 28 years old and I had my spinal fusion L4 L5 due to degenerative spondylolisthesis at 20 years old. I didn't have any problems with my pregnancy at the age of 24 except I was not able to get an epidural. I am currently awaiting results for an MRI because I am having a lot of the same pain but worse than before my surgery.

Hi, I am a 50 year old female with spondylolisthesis as well.  I don't know what level it is considered though.  I do know I have constant pain in my lower back and pretty much constant pain and sometimes numbness in my legs and buttocks!!  Somedays are worse than other days.  I am finally to the point of considering surgery.  My husband had surgery (not because of spondy but because of a work realated injury) and is doing great.  He still has some pain but is happy to be able to walk.  When I hear his story I feel silly because hey I can walk right?!  But I can only walk for a certain amount of time, I can sit for only a certain amount of time and I can stand for only a certain amount of time.  When one becomes too painful I switch to the other but of course at work I am not always at liberty to do so so that is when endurance comes into play.  Pain meds do not really help that much any more but at least enable me to get going. 

I must tell you that you all are scaring me to death!!  My Doc seems to be great and he did my husbands surgery.  I don't think he has to go through my stomach and I don't think it is spinal fusion.  He says he has to remove some of my bone and replace it (not sure with what) and he will be using screws to stabilize the spine.  He says he can pull it straight again but will not because my spine and nerves have been in this position for so long that my nerves have been overly stretched would become loose and cause weakness in  my legs and as he says cause them to flop around!!  Hey we don't want that!!  Anyway, I too have been very active in my life.  I have always been one of these people who think nothing is going to stop me from doing what I want to do and this surgery is really really scarey!!!  Should I do it??  Will I not beable to do the things I love anymore??  I am so afraid.  Perhaps I should just continue to endure??  But truth be known I have already stopped doing things I used to do.....I used to hike and exercise every morning and I always think if I just push myself thinking I just have to work through the pain then I am really done for!!  Usually down even worse than before.....

Also I am not real sure how he plans of fixing the ruptured disc I guess at the L5 and the one right above it which is not doing so well either..... I am afraid if I wait though it will get worse and worse and I will be older and it will be much harder to recover from surgery.  It is comforting to know others that have this and to possibly benefit from any of your experiences.  What should I do?? 

 

Signed "Scared to Death"

im 13 and i have grade 4 spondylolithesis, im getting the surgery soon

Hello. I am 23 years old and I was diagnosed with Spondy L5 S1 when I was 20.  I am just sick of living through the pain. I have pain on both sides of my lower back, sever sciatica and pain, numbness and tingling to the toes.  I am a CNA (i know, not the best job choice but I have to do what I have to do ).  My doctor always asks me if I want to see a surgeon and I always say no way, not yet.  I am wondering if it would be best to get the surgery soon because I am still young or wait until I can't really deal with it anymore. I mean it does affect me as I have to leave work early sometimes.  I've tried physical therapy and I just can't keep up with the schedule because my job takes a lot of out of me.  I hardly take meds because they don't work and I'd rather stay away from the heavy duty ones because of my job and because they make you drowsy and spacey and they can be addictive.  I can't do a lot of exercises and activities now (as I was really athletic before this disease erupted).  I am just really scared of surgeries and how it would affect me.  Any advice please?!  Thanks!

I was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis when I was 21 (Grade 2).  At that time I was told I would definitely need surgery someday and I would know when that time comes because I wouldn't be able to function normally due to the pain.  That time for me came last year when I couldn't even walk around the block without collapsing in pain.  I had fully progressed to a Grade 3 and was on my way into 4 if nothing was done.  I went to several neurosurgeons and got at least 3 opinions before deciding that I absolutely had to get the surgery.  Every single doctor stressed to me that the goal of surgery is NOT to relieve pain, but to stabilize your spine.  I think that is something that everyone should understand.  I went in to my L4 - S1 Spinal Fusion last August with the expectation that I may come out in as much pain as I went in with.  I was completely terrified.  The initial pain was managed with narcotic pain meds, which I stayed on for several months.  But I can tell you that within 5 weeks from my surgery I was out dancing for my 30th birthday and continue to be active.  Six weeks out I started a 6 week course of physical therapy, which was hard at first but helped tremendously.  I was back to work within 3 months of my surgery.  I have pain every day, but it is NOTHING in comparison to the pain that I felt prior to having surgery.  I'd say before surgery my daily pain was like a 6-8 and now it's around a 2, sometimes 3.  I am completely off of any pain meds unless I am doing something rigorous, like going on a hike.  It was a huge decision for me to have surgery, and that's partly the reason I kept seeing different doctors because I was hoping one of them would tell me I could wait.  I am very happy that I had the surgery now that I know I can do way more than I could before I had it done, with a lot less pain.  My advise is to only go to a neurosurgeon, not an orthopedic surgeon.  My mother had the same surgery in October and she is still in terrible pain and cannot funtion normally.  She had a herniated disc, not Spondy, but still had a spinal fusion.  She went to an Orthopedic Surgeon and in my opinion you should only ever let a Neurosurgeon do work on your spine.  

Hi

Male age 35 UK
United Kingdom National Health Service, Bristol.
Spondylolisthesis at S1-L5, PILF fusion, screw and disc removal.
Scoliosis (mild) in lumbar.


 I spent quite a lot of time reading around various forums on the net relating to my Spondylolisthesis back injury prior to surgery, as I wanted to ease my concerns and understand what I was about to engage in. Now after surgery I want to contribute back into the community.


 
  In five days time it will be three months since the back op took place, today I was signed off by my Physio and I can happily say that the op has been a success and the pain I was experiencing during standing, and walking in my groin and right leg have completely gone. This is what I was advised by the surgeon. I was also informed that his success rate was very good and I would like to say I am very grateful for the impact it has made on my life and the professionalism of the U.K NHS in general.



 Regarding the op; sure its not pleasant, and could be harder hitting depending on your health, I'm fit and strong besides my back, but don't let it daunt you. These ops are fairly routine these days, the wards at my hospital have one or two a week on each, so you get the idea ( I was told this by a staff nurse who I was previously acquainted with). Also can I say I wasn't really in much 'pain' the pain meds for the first two days really cover you, its just a little painful at the wound site and I would describe the whole thing as just uncomfortable in all honesty!
 


 Recovery was surprisingly rapid, no walking aids, just a bandage type velcro back support.
Out of bed and walking down the corridor up steps after 2 days.
2 months-40 mile cycle ride down a suitably flat cycle path. Great fun stopping at the pubs.
2 months 2 weeks quite comfortably walking around a mile and even a slight jog to catch the bus. Still a bit puffed out though!
I understand the key is to get moving around as quickly as possible once you've got over the initial surgery.
Walking is a little harder than swimming or cycling as walking is load bearing exercise.
With the above in mind your abilities are seriously impaired and I did have people popping in to help with little things  (I live alone) for about a month. I mean walking back from the shops with the 15 kilos of shopping you normally carry would be a no-no and no driving for 6 weeks. Just be sensible, its not worth going through this c**p to do yourself a mischief!!



 So at nearly three months; everyday I feel an improvement, honestly three months after surgery I can actually stand more upright and without pain than before surgery.  At the end, to feel any comfort I was taking variations of tramadol, diclofenic, codiene, muscle relaxants and ibro. Now I dont need any pain meds, although I do have other issues with my Scoliosis, so take the occasional ibro for stiffness, which is a whole different subject.

 That's my input. If you want to ask me personally anything relating to this please do.
 For me with hindsight its been a 'no brainer' as they say. Back to the Physio.

 Good  luck.
 Sap.

Hi kim



Im sorry to hear about your experience. My husband has been daignosed w/ spondylothesis w/ stenosis and has low back pain & L sciatica. We're researching the best options for treatment. Surgery would better last resort. Thanks for the advise. We will definitely do some in depth research before choosing a surgeon if needed.

Have you tried acupuncture before!! Distal acupuncture to be specific. I work for an acupuncturist who is very good at his skill. This particular style works very well for most people as opposed to the traditional form which may aggravate the pain before getting better. With distal acupuncture, the needles are not placed at the site of your pain; they may be placed in your arms, hands, legs, feet, or ears (extremities). It this doesnt work, then the traditional way could be used w/ electric stim.

How well it will work can not be guaranteed, since everyone's body respond's differently. The healing process may take longer since you have structural changes & you've had it a while. Typically we tell patients they should see some change within 6 treatments. the treatments should be done within a 2-3 week period. If no change occurs during this time, then it will not work.

If you've tried everything else & it did not work, what do you have to lose. It might be the answer.



Good luck to you!!

Hi All,

  All these posts were so helpful. I have spondylolisthesis and a slipped disc on L4 & L5 with very painful sciatica in my right leg to my toes. I am going through many types of injections, meds and P/T. Trying everything before surgery. I am scared to death and my family said its my decision on the spinal fusion.

I am so confused on what to do. Any of your input I would appreciate it. I am in terrible pain and have been out of work for months. I turned 46 last month and have been suffering with a disc problem since I was 22 and it has prevented me from having an active life I wanted. My husband and family have been great through it all I just cant take the pain in my back and leg.

I wish you all good health with Gods blessing pain free.

Much Love,

Trisha

I had the fusion and I know how you feel. My surgeons so called "next in command" also told me my pain was in my head and they would not give me any pain med's through my I.V. This same so called doctor also told me I had something wrong in my head because I asked him twice what they did during my surgery, finally a physical therapist explained what all they did to my back much better than the doctor had done. I had called and complained about the way the surgeons "next in command" had treated me before my surgery and I was assured he would be dealt with and that his behavior was not allowed with them. The first person I seen before going under was this doctor and when I asked him how long it would take he told me in a very  sarcastic way that it depended on if I gave him as much trouble as I did the other day, I thought when I complained about him they would keep my name confidential but evidently not. Just what I wanted to hear from a man with a knife in his hand. When I woke up from surgery the pain was like hell on earth. I was never the kind of man to show my emotions but after the surgery I would cry like a baby from the physical and emotional pain I was going through because of that jerk doctor. I'm about 10 weeks into my surgery and they are releasing me back to work next week with no restrictions but he also says if I keep doing the kind of work I do I will be back in 10 years much worse than I was before this surgery. I am still in much pain and take about 4 pain pills a day and some Valium and would like to take more pain pills but I am trying to save my liver. I don't know if I will be able to do my job well enough when I go back next week but I am hoping that as long as I be careful maybe it will make me feel better, but I don't see me throwing 50+ lb. boxes in the back of my truck like I used to. I am very thankful that my company says they are going to send me a helper. All said and done I just wish I would have took better care of my back when I first learned I had a par's defect and grade 1 spondylolisthesis before it went to a grade 3, and I wish I would of known my surgeon did not believe in giving better pain medication before letting him do the surgery.

The shot in the spine that your dr reccomended will help you a lot, and is a painless proceedure if done by a neurosurgeon. the shot is called a epidural injection of steroids into the vertibre that are affected.

I have had two of these shots and they have helped

I was diagnosed little over a year ago after suffering for years. I was told I had grade 4. Took the epidural injections. They are quite straightforward, not painful, take about 4days to kick in and they gave me about 4months much needed relief. Not total relief mind you! Anyhow, this is not a long term solution. It's safe to have this twice. Maybe thrice. After that, the blood thinning effect of the drug puts you at further risk. I was clear that I needed surgery. At 40, I couldn't imagine carrying on like that- couldn't walk, couldn't go out, constantly crabby cos I was in such awful pain 24/7. The real challenge was to find the right doctor. Finally 3 weeks ago, I had the surgery. I came round afterwards and saw I was lying flat on the hospital bed. I hadn't been able to lay flat on my back for years!! Too much pain. Then I effortlessly drew my legs up, bent at the knee!! This was an impossibility before. I needed to carry my legs into position with my hands. I began to cry. I was so happy. The next day, with the nurses help, I got up on my feet. For the first time in years I planted both feet flat on the floor, and stood upright. Straight up!! It was unbelievable. I had not been able to be erect for years, and I was getting more and more bent as time passed. Upright!! I think once you can find a specialist you trust, you're home free. I also believe in the power of prayer, and I was sure that surgery was for me. I looked forward excitedly to it and I have not been disappointed. I started physio last week. That's going well too. I had always tried to keep active even through awful pain, so my muscles aren't wasted. I feel the stretches. It's tight, but daily getting looser. My hips especially. This surgery for me gives me a new lease on life. This is infact the straightest I've ever been in my life. And I'm getting better and stronger every day. So the procedure was- the runaway bone was repositioned, a disc placed between vertebra, and bone grafted through, the intention being that the bone will grow all the way through to complete the fusion; and of course the whole column screwed on both sides. The implants are titanium. My scar is about 4inches long. If my skin behaves well, it will fade very nicely. There are some areas of my skin which are prone to keloids but hopefully not my back. I walk around marvelling at just how pain free I am. The post surgical processes of healing are nothing compared to what I have been relieved from. So if you are not sure, I hope this message gives you some hope that there is a very real end to this problem. Only take the time to find the right doctor. If anything at anytime makes you uncomfortable, CANCEL! There are some really great surgeons, doing great work with a great attitude. You will find one. Not a moment to late!

That last post is a nice positive one! I totally agree with all of it!

The discomfort after is nothing compared to what you've probabably been living with before. Straight away you start to notice the benefit of the op.

Its 8 months post op for me and every now and then I notice I'm straighter and more supple. I keep stretching everyday and do 5 mins excercise building my spinal errector muscles up everyday.

No longer on daily pain meds.

Unfortunately I have mild scoliosis as well so I still get fatigue on one side but from point of view the operation has been life changer. Wasgetting very depressed due to the constant pain.

Goodluck

KimLisa I had the s my surgeon who also was rated top in his feild with the same results and the same experience with my arogant to good to answer questions doctor who after leaving me worse off then I was did not believe in pain medications. Probubly because it wasn't long before I was severely addicted to oxycontin which never took all the painb awaY and never had long lasting results. Methadone was the only medicine that gave me consistant long term relief but I am now addicted to that I went from 200 mgs a day and cut myself slowly down to 40 mgs a day but now am worse off then ever I just foiund out the spondiolythesis / spodiolitis has returned to just above the origional surgery site and the charlie horses and sciatic pain are unbearable. Nothing is working on the pain anymore and I am terrified about having another surgery . Please let me know what you do as I will be following your decisions closely. You can reach me at yahoo if not here.your fellow chronic sufferer Laura

I just turned 50 y.o. and have been suffering with chronic daily pain for over a year.  I have been diagnosed with grade 4 spondy, stenosis, bulging discs, and pinched nerves at the L4-5,and L5-S1. Up until last year, I had been playing tennis 2-3x per day, downhill skiing, and was very active with three kids, two dogs, and working full-time.  Now, I can barely walk more 10 minutes or stand more than 10 minutes without horrible pain in my legs.  So what happened?  I got rear-ended 4x in the space of 8 months (none were my fault; each time I was legally stopped)!  What incredible bad luck.  I've already been on oral steroids, had three epidurals, and been on a range of pain meds.  Right now, I'm on 800mg of Ibuprofen around the clock and taking 30 mg of Cymbalta.  My liver is probably dried up but I need to meds to get through the day.  Now I am looking at surgery. Sigh.  I'll do it because I don't want to live the rest of my life like this.  I quit my tennis clubs, no longer see my friends, can't shop, cook, or dance, much less play tennis or ski.  I'm depressed and grouchy; my poor husband. 

Some of you have had great surgical results and some not so great.  I guess that's the nature of surgery - no guarantee.  Much depends on exactly what you need done and your surgeon.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will post again after my surgical consultations.

Best of luck to all of us,

Helen.

Dear Helen,


I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through. It is more difficult when you have led a healthy active life and through no fault of your own, you are now suffering what no-one deserves. I write to encourage you- do your research well, and know for yourself what should need to be done surgically. And POST surgery. You need a surgeon who will show you by their manner and what they say, that they a)know what you know, and b) know more.


When you have been otherwise healthy, and place yourself in good hands, statistics show that you have a good to very good chance of coming fully back. In any case, I am shocked and appalled at some of the experiences I've read here with some doctors who 'don't believe in pain releief???!!!' So why did they even bother with anaesthesia during the surgery?? If they are so hard line??!! And people are suffering and struggling needlesly!! Please get to know your surgeon, and his methods. One or two appointments is NOT ENOUGH!! And if possible, speak with a former patient of theirs. Look them up online. I don't know where you live, but where I am, the surgeon is required by law to explain IN FULL DETAIL, as far as possible, what his intentions are when you are asleep. The patient must receive written material and discuss this with the family doctor or another doctor of their choice, and then return with further questions, or where further clarification is needed. Then they must all sign to say these discussions took place and were satisfactory to all concerned. No one goes into any surgical procedure without this.


But if it's not the law where you are, still see if it'spossible with the doctors co operation, to have this type of information and time to digest and discuss with another doctor as well.


I pray that you receive the blessing of healing and relief which is yours to possess in this life. I will look out for your progress.


Blessings,

M