u/runuclevergirl

Saw my surgeon to review my MRI today and he said surgery is probably my best option (getting a second opinion), but with what he explained and the research I've done, surgery seems to make sense.

My concern is he wants to do a single-level ALIF (best option for my anatomy) at L5-S1, but on an outpatient basis. From what I've seen of how difficult the initial post-surgery period can be, that makes me a little nervous. I'd love to hear from people who've had inpatient or outpatient fusions and if you would recommend having this as an outpatient.

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I go in for a follow-up tomorrow to review my MRI with my doctor (orthopedic surgeon). After looking at my x-rays and assessing my history and symptoms last time, he let me know I have spondylolithesis and surgery might be needed (due to instability, symptoms, and how long I've been dealing with it), but that obviously we would wait for the MRI results (started 2x week PT in the meantime).

What questions should I ask tomorrow? What did you ask your doctor? What do you wish you had asked? I want to be well-informed, but it's hard to know what to ask or what the gaps in my (limited) knowledge might be.

I go in for a follow-up tomorrow to review my MRI with my doctor (orthopedic surgeon). After looking at my x-rays and assessing my history and symptoms last time, he let me know surgery might be needed, but that obviously we would wait for the MRI results (started 2x week PT in the meantime).

What questions should I ask tomorrow? What did you ask your doctor? What do you wish you had asked? I want to be well-informed, but it's hard to know what to ask or what the gaps in my (limited) knowledge might be.

I don't get them too often, but I get the most painful muscle cramps in my left calf. Doc said it could definitely be from the nerve being compressed from my spondylolithesis. I had all my babies without pain meds and this pain is comparable to labor, if not worse. The cramps scare the shit out of me, and when I feel one coming on, I panic a little. It feels like my leg bones are going to snap in half from the muscle tension.

The only thing that relieves the pain (sometimes) is sitting in the hottest water I can physically stand. Has anyone here experienced this? Other remedies I can try?

Hi, all! I had a consultation with a really reputable and highly rated orthopedic surgeon who is overseeing my care thus far as we get PT and imaging done to figure out a treatment plan. I'm going to get at least another couple of second opinions if surgery is the final recommendation. I really like my ortho guy, but one of my friends mentioned that someone she knows who is in medical school said she might recommend a neurosurgeon over an orthopedic surgeon. I don't know why I never considered this. Lol

If you've had a fusion, how did you decide which type of surgeon to use? What factored into your decision? Pros? Cons? Things you wish you'd known? Google makes it seem like there isn't any clear indication for one over another, but I figured you guys are the experts and might have some good insight.

Hi, SLC! I (39F) have been diagnosed with a grade III spondylolisthesis. Trying PT and other treatments first, but my original consult came with a strong suspicion that surgery (fusion of L5-S1) will likely be needed. I'm pretty nervous about it and was wanting to get a couple of second opinions. I'm hoping for some recommendations of good spine surgeons in the Weber/Davis/SLC county areas, if anyone has someone they had a good experience with.

Thank you in advance!

ETA: I have Cigna insurance. Might have been helpful to include. Lol

I (40F) have had persistent sciatic pain for about 18 years. The pain has been pretty constant over the last 10, radiating down to my foot. I've always just pushed through (downplaying my pain is a character flaw of mine), but lately it's been worse: pins and needles from hip to foot, extreme muscle cramps (feels like my lower leg bones are going to snap), numbness through my whole leg, and more pronounced pain if I stand/lay down for a long time. I had a hard time sitting to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist a couple weeks ago.

I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon today. The x-rays show grade 3 spondy of my L5-S1, and basically looks like bone on bone. There was no disc/disc space to speak of visible on the x-ray at all. The surgeon said that we will do an MRI and PT, but he strongly suspects I'll need surgery.

I wasn't shocked by this recommendation, but I guess it feels like a quick leap after one set of x-rays, but then again, I've been ignoring this for nearly 2 decades and my pain has been literally constant for the last 10 years and it's getting worse at a notable pace.

Even writing this out, it seems like, "Duh, girl. Surgery!" but I'm really nervous about taking the leap. Anyone with a similar spondy situation have any advice or experience to share?

And yes, you can call me out for being a giant goober for not having this looked at years ago. I know I deserve it. Lol!