Richard saw the doctor yesterday. He wants to do a disk-o-gram next. It involves shooting dye into three disks to determine if the pain is truly from that one disk. He then goes immediately for a CT scan to determine the full extent of the injury. The results of these two procedures will determine where he goes from there. He won't do this until after the first of the year.
A possible next step would be to place a wire within the disk to cause it to create scar tissue around it which would fuse it. If this doesn't work then surgery would be the final option. He isn't opposed to surgery if it will fix and not mask his problem. We both have a lot of confidence in Dr. Powell and feel the surgeon he would recommend would be the right one. Of course, we'll investigate everything thoroughly before making any final decision.
I'm following this with interest. Although my back is still in pretty good shape, sometimes it gives me a little trouble and I could be in the early stages of a similar situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm following this with empathy. I've beeen there, done that (flat in bed with excrutiating back pain). Thankfully, mine is only occasional, not constant. Hope your prognosis is good. Keep us informed.
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad I'm still a kid!
ReplyDeleteI AM VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR PROCESS AS I, TOO, HAD SPINAL FUSION AND AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS I'M STILL IN PAIN. I WAS PUT ON A FENTANYL PATCH ONLY TO HAVE THE DOSAGE INCREASED AS THE PAIN CONTINUED. I HAD A M.R.I. LAST WEEK AND NOW I'M SCHEDULED FOR A DISK-O-GRAM FOLLOWED BY A CAT SCAN. I'M SCARED TO DEATH BUT I'M BEING TOLD THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. EVERYONE IS SAYING NOT TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE BECAUSE IT MAY CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. I TRULY CAN'T LIVE WITH THE CONTINUED PAIN AND ALL OF THE MEDICINE THAT DOES NOT HELP..
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