Transitional Vertebra/ Having facet fusion - Back Problems Message Board

ihavtwins · 09-14-2007, 09:47 AM

Hi, I have had lower back pain for almost 2 years now. All my tests show minor this and minor that, but nothing real concrete. I have had mri, xray, discogram, bone scan, and several types of cortizone injections. My doctor has concluded that my transitional vertebra has caused damage to the level above it and is going to try to fuse the facet joints that are full of arthritis and bone spurs.

I am only 36, and am very concerned. What will this surgery be like? Will a transitional vertebra cause more problems down the road? I would love to talk to some people who have a transitional and what they have been through.

I have felt so alone the last 2 years, the doctors never believing I am in the pain that I am. It has got to the point of limping on the right side of my body. I have been through 2 years of agony, trying to find out whats wrong with me. I feel like the transitional vertebra might be my answer all along.

I would love to get some more info here. Thanks for listening!
My surgery is set for Sept 27th.

Jen

ms_west · 09-14-2007, 11:19 AM

Jen, my first fusion in 1982 was for a transitional vertebrae. I had it fused and lived a pain free life until 2004. Then I hurt the level above it and required a fusion in 2007 and now I am facing a 3rd fusion on the one above it.

I am telling you not to scare you but let you know once you have a fusion you risk having the ones above them going out and needing to be fused. As you can see between my first and second fusion there was a huge time span and between the 2nd fusion and 3rd fusion looks like it will be one year.

Do I regret going thru the fusions? Absolutely not!! After each one I felt better; however, between my latest fusion and the upcoming one is a bit shorter than I would like. I suspect that the newest level should have been fused last year.

I hope I have not scared you and if you have any specific questions ask away.

ihavtwins · 09-14-2007, 11:34 AM

Thank you for your quick reply! I have a ton of questions for you. The doc says he is only fusing the facet joints. Did you have your actual vertebra fused? I have a lumbarized S1. Is this what you have also? Have you heard of Bertolotti's syndrome? Did you have trouble getting your doc to do the surgeries? My doc was terrible about trying absolutely everything before doing surgery and saying there really wasnt a whole lot on the tests but a transitional vertebra. He said he was going by my pain, not the tests. I am in lots of pain and nothing I have tried in 2 years has helped.

I am hopeful that you had such a success with your first surgery! However, he is going very minimal and wont be fusing my transitional vertebra, only the facets I think, and I have no idea what the recovery time on this is or anything. I will find out more on pre op on the 20th.

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it!
Jen

ms_west · 09-14-2007, 11:52 AM

I had the entire vertebrae fused and have not heard of Bertolotti's syndrome. I was 17 at the time and there was no question in regards to needing surgery. I grew up with pain off and on and my parents basically swept it under the carpet. Until one day, I got up and went to put my legs on the floor and landed square on my bottom. I could not feel my legs. I had surgery within 2 days. Boy did my mom feel bad!!

Have you had a second opinion?? I would strongly recommend it just for peace of mind.

monkey5 · 09-14-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihavtwins

Thank you for your quick reply! I have a ton of questions for you. The doc says he is only fusing the facet joints. Did you have your actual vertebra fused? I have a lumbarized S1. Is this what you have also? Have you heard of Bertolotti's syndrome? Did you have trouble getting your doc to do the surgeries? My doc was terrible about trying absolutely everything before doing surgery and saying there really wasnt a whole lot on the tests but a transitional vertebra. He said he was going by my pain, not the tests. I am in lots of pain and nothing I have tried in 2 years has helped.

I am hopeful that you had such a success with your first surgery! However, he is going very minimal and wont be fusing my transitional vertebra, only the facets I think, and I have no idea what the recovery time on this is or anything. I will find out more on pre op on the 20th.

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it!
Jen

Jen, what did your MRI state exactly, if i can ask?
Love, Monkey