I have to make a decision as to whether or not to have this surgery. It would be a double fusion (I believe that’s what it’s called): L4-L5-S1. Both of my facet joints are broken at L4 (spondylolysis) which is contributing to spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1. I have been to chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapy, tried multitudes of medications, tried ignoring the problem, and also recently had a bilateral epidural in an attempt to relieve the problem. I have been told the only way to fix the spondylolysis is through a fusion. I am 31 years old and have been having back problems for quite some time now. Sometimes my back flares up, and I literally can’t walk… crawling to the bathroom is about the only I manage to do when I have a flare up. I have been told that at some point in my life I will need a fusion, and I basically have to decide whether to do it now, or continue dealing with the pain and have it later.
Any suggestions/experience/advice anyone has with this particular surgery would be extremely helpful.
Thanks! 
Posts Tagged Experience
I am 17 weeks pregnant today. For the last 5 days I have had very bad back pain four out of the five days. I talked to my doctor yesterday and she suggested Tylenol and heating pads (both of which I have been doing the last 4 days) But my back pain is still rather
strong. I am getting very concerned since I have a toddler at home and all the regular duties as a SAHM. Just thinking about going through this for another 21 weeks is really worrying me. I don’t think I can handle it. So for those that have had chronic back pain- What helped the most? When did yours start? How long did it last? Did it last only a few days, weeks or the rest of the pregnancy.
My doctor also suggested that I get a Belly Band. I order that today but it will take about a week to get here. She also said that I could have physical therapy, but I really would like to avoid that if possible. Thanks for your help.
I am currently enrolled in college for Physical Therapy Assisting. Just wondering how far I need to go before someone will actually hire me.
My aunt and my uncle have both had problems with using drugs for quite a few years now. My uncle dosen’t think that he has a problem whereas my aunt knows that she does. She ran away from him after years of mental, emotional, and brutaly physical abuse to rehab. She won’t tell anyone where this facility was or what she did there. All she would say is that they helped her and that she admitted herself under a false name. Is that even possible? She is staying with my mother (her sister) now that she is out and she is having to hide from her husband because he is pissed off that she ran away. She wants a divorce from him but is doubtful that she will get it. The whole family needs advice about how we can help her and things to avoid or steer her clear of. Any advice will be appreciated. We truly do want her to succeed with her sobriety.
I was recently reading a about a college that offers the DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) degree program and among the criteria for acceptance was “work experience”. Does that imply that I need to have physical therapy job experience under my belt to even apply for the program? Other than being a stay-at-home mom of almost 6 years, I only have military and some college experience besides some lower income jobs held during high school.
No, I’m not joking. I had never heard of such a thing and thought it was totally rediculous but I just started going last week. I had a fourth degree tear with labor and have had nothing but problems since then. I still suffer from pain in general and incontenence issues. I was just curious as to what others experienced with this. No one ever knows what I am talking about. I did not make this up. Please, no insensitive comments. It’s a sore subject…no pun intended.
Am trying to decide whether (or when) to have a knee replacement. Am a 58 year old woman with osteo-arthritis in both knees, gradually getting worse. Have had an arthroscopy on one knee, and now the other one is worse. Want to know about the hospital procedure, pain, physical therapy, etc.
I’ve looked over this profession and wanted to volunteer/observe what they do. Hopefully it would help me decide if I want to pursue this career. What area (hospital, clinics, etc) would give me good exposure?