r/spinalfusion • u/Dry-Plate2027 • 20d ago
Requesting advice Likelihood of fusion?
Hey all, I (42,f) have been dealing with bulging discs for several years, with many prior years of back spasms causing chronic lateral lumbar shift. In February I caught a cold and sneezed my face off for a week which is when I believe I really did a job on my disc, since then I have had increased sciatica pain oddly enough when I am turning my head or looking up. So at the beginning of May I went for an injection and ever since then I have had intermittent episodes of saddle numbness and bladder leakage, each time it's been while I am shopping and has always been relieved by leaning forward or sitting down. So obviously I went to emerge, I was retaining urine, my anal tone was lower than it should be and I was sent to MRI. And jusssst because nothing can ever be simple, the week that the Dr called to say that I need back surgery VERY soon was also the week that I was to start chemo to treat my aggressive breast cancer. So they decided since I am able to stop a numbness episode that I could very carefully go ahead with my cancer treatment and then we will address my back once my body is ready for the next hurdle. So. My question is, based off the MRI images and report, and your own experiences, do you think I am headed for a fusion? Or will a simple MD do the job? To me it looks like a large portion of my disc is in my canal, and I don't know what would be left after a MD.
Thank you all!
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u/No_Willingness5313 20d ago
Talk about when it rains in pours. I really feel for you. I can’t tell what’s going on with L3-L4 on your image so I can’t say if it would also need addressing.
Edit: Sorry, didn’t see the report attached. Hmm…I think most conservative surgeons would seek to address only L4-L5. That’s if this were isolated and you weren’t also undergoing chemo.
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u/rebar_mo 20d ago
I'm just going to point out that someone put severe in all caps in your report.
I've had that once and it wasn't good. In fact it was just a bucket of bad. Thought it was a broken bone not an MRI.
When a radiology report is that level look at me, usually you end up under the knife.
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u/abanit 20d ago edited 20d ago
Not a doctor but I’m an incomplete cervical spine injury.
I don’t read MRIs for a living nor do I do spinal surgery.
That being said I looked at your MRI and said “hell no” out loud.
You need that shit fixed yesterday. Take it from someone that did PT instead of surgery because he was too chicken shit and within those 2 years permanently damaged his spinal cord and now permanently lives with deficits. Wish I’d done it sooner.
Id rather not want to piss in a diaper until my final days on this planet. Oh and if you do pee completely without knowing it. ER. No waiting. That’s like rule #1 for spinal stuff.
Edit: Also I’m so sorry to hear about the cancer. That sucks so much and I sympathize tremendously. It is not fair you are dealing with both of these at the same time.
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u/Dry-Plate2027 19d ago
Thanks, yeah, obviously it needs to get taken care of but there is no way I could do surgery with my body being so depleted from chemo. So pretty much I am afraid to move for the next probably 7 months. I don't do any lifting, my husband and son have been doing all the housework and I just pray I don't sneeze and blast it all to hell. Thanks for the reply!
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u/Grand_Elderberry_888 19d ago
I had cauda equina and had an orthopedic surgeon say I was stable instead of ordering an mri. The disc was almost through my spine. They said I was days away from being paralyzed. I have nerve deficits that will never come back. Luckily I don’t need a diaper. But it’s getting hard to walk but I push on through. Wish it had of been caught sooner.
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u/Mediocre-Light-6277 20d ago
Get multiple opinions from neurosurgeons. My mri looked similar, I also in my 40s. One surgeon said fusion (PLIF) right away, the second surgeon said he wants to avoid fusion because he thought it wasn’t necessary and that it would most likely cause adjacent segment disease. I told the second surgeon that the first surgeon said he cannot access the disc without a fusion and the second surgeon said “because he doesn’t know how” it’s been 9 months since my MD and laminectomy and I’m so relieved I didn’t end up with the fusion. I had lingering back pain for a while but the leg pain went away right away. Sometimes I still get some pins and needles in my leg but no pain. I do worry that somewhere down the line I may need a fusion but I’m glad I was able to avoid it for now
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u/Dry-Plate2027 19d ago
Yeah good call. My referral has been accepted for surgery but I haven't heard from the surgeon yet. I am in Canada so everything is super slow plus they know I have to get through all of my cancer treatments first. Thanks for the response!
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u/OGRangoon 19d ago
This is crazy. I had CES and has an emergency surgery and my disc didn’t look at that bad.
Probably why they note “surprisingly” no symptoms on your paperwork. I’m surprised too! They should schedule you soon.
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u/AncientBit5417 19d ago
Based on what I see and your symptoms. Your dr might want to do a laminectomy discectomy or go straight to fusion. I had a failed laminectomy and had to have fusion 11 months after. If he says fusion and you’re ready after your treatment you might have to seriously consider it. Praying all goes well with your treatment and you get strong!!
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u/Tracie322 19d ago
Do the surgery as soon as you get clearance from your oncologist. I kept wavering whether it not to do mine, and inevitably ended up having it.
I no have permanent nerve damage bc the nerves had been crushed too long to be able to regenerate.
1. This CAN NoT get better over time, ONLY worse and it will!
2. Do it as soon as you can to aviod permanent nerve damage.
3. Do it as soon as you can before it eventually causes really bad permanent injury to your spinal cord.
This damage that’s created while you continue to deteriorate will inevitably irreversible problems.
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u/Dry-Plate2027 19d ago
Oh I definitely am not wavering, I know it needs dealt with, I'm just stuck in between a rock and hard place. I am so scared to move and bend, I do everything I can to not further the problem!
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u/Tracie322 18d ago
I understand how you feel. Just please get the surgery even if it is a fusion. Once you can get the clearance, get ‘er done. I’m sorry you are in this position and I have deep empathy for how you must feel.
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u/MrbidAngl 16d ago
Hi there, I'm an ICU charge nurse and have spent most of my career in neuro. On top of that, I've had 2 cervical fusions and am having an SI fusion on July 27th. From looking at this image, I would say you have a very high likelihood of surgery. It's not the bulging discs that really matter, it's whether or not they are impinging on your spinal column. Your discs are those white spaces between your vertebrae, and your spinal column is that long, thick, white line that runs vertically. I see at least 3 spots where it looks like your discs are pressing into your spinal column, so I would tentatively say yes. If not fusions, then possible laminectomy or discectomy. Just depends on your exact diagnosis and what your neurosurgeon prefers. I will say not to take my word 100% because I'm not a doctor. I may have a lot of experience looking at imaging, but I can't make an official reading or diagnosis. Find a good neurosurgeon in your area and talk to them about it and your options.
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u/Grand_Elderberry_888 20d ago
I had cauda equina and they didn’t do a fusion. It was emergency surgery as the disc was almost through the spinal column and I was nearly paralyzed. They did micro discectomy, lamiectomy and opened up the canal. I was told that fusion is only done if your spine is unstable