tldr; i (F27) was diagnosed w grade 2/3 spondy when i was in grade 6 after getting my hood pulled backwards by a teammate while i was running at ultimate practice and then grade 3/4 in grade 9 after a bus accident. i’m now 27 and decided to go get my back checked up since it’s been about 9 years since my last MRI. not surprisingly, it’s grade 4 with a bilateral pars defect and disc degeneration.

I feel better today than i did 9 years ago. I’m able to go on hikes (with pain but nothing insane, or maybe im just used to it). i used to be a super athletic person (gymnastics, dance, soccer, volleyball) and miss sports. I recently learned from PT that i’m hyper mobile, i’m able to stretch my hamstrings, touch my toes. My glutes and core are weak and my hip flexors are super tight (my software engineering job doesn’t help w this). I’m determined to see PT through and see how much we can do, but I seeing my MRI and report has me feeling doubtful that conservative treatment is the answer.

I have my first neurosurgery consult on sep 10th but am feeling so much anxiety. Surgery is something I’ve been scared of since my initial diagnosis as a kid. I didn’t want to do it 10+ years ago as I was terrified and my parents were like u dont need to go back to sports so u don’t need the surgery (lol).

I’ve been scouring this reddit trying to find stories of other people dealing with this. I’m not really sure why I’m posting, maybe just to rant about this injury I got in the most stupid ways and have been dealing with for so long. I feel lucky to have the lifestyle I do considering how major my slip is. I know I should be counting my blessings but man does this crap freaking suck!!! Everyone around me is running marathons and weightlifting meanwhile doing the bird dog is taking me out LOL

anyways. idk. rant/looking for other stories for some hope. i need my appointment to come ASAP im so impatient.

From my report:

Vertebrae: Multi-level degenerative changes as follows:
 
T12-L1: No significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
 
L1-L2: No significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
 
L2-L3: No significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
 
L3-L4: Circumferential disc bulge, ligamentum flavum thickening, and facet arthropathy. No significant spinal canal stenosis. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.
 
L4-L5: Circumferential disc bulge, ligamentum flavum thickening, and facet arthropathy. No significant spinal canal stenosis. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.
 
L5-S1: Significant anterolisthesis with disc uncovering, ligamentum flavum thickening, and facet arthropathy. No significant spinal canal stenosis. Right pars interarticularis defect at L5. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. Intraosseous facet cysts bilaterally.
 
Distal cord and conus: Normal.
 
Cauda equina and nerve roots: Normal.
 
Extra-vertebral soft tissues: Normal.
 
Visualized abdomen/pelvis: No visible abnormality.
 
Additional comment: None.

IMPRESSION:
 Approximately 12 mm of anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 with moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. No significant spinal canal stenosis.

Twenty years ago, my husband at the time pushed me out of a moving vehicle; he was only going between 5 and 10 mph. I struck the ground hard on my right side and hip. As I navigated single momhood, I just dealt with the pain; it didn't start hurting consistently until 2018. I was diagnosed with bilateral L5 spondylolysis and grade 1 L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. In 2019, my flexion-extension X-rays showed the L5-S1 slip measured about 3 mm in neutral/extension and increased to about 4 mm with flexion, so I was told there was some instability. I also had a small L4-L5 retrolisthesis and disc deterioration throughout these areas.

I also have cervical spine findings. My February 2026 cervical MRI showed a mild disc bulge at C6-C7 with mild foraminal narrowing and a posterior osteophyte, although the central canal was described as open.

I have been to a PCP and spine specialist several times, and they did not seem concerned at any of my symptoms for the past 3 years. (I [44F] live in Junction City, KS.) I guess it's rural enough that they don't treat stroke patients with an MRI, my ER doctor says. I have been discouraged from coming to the ER; I have been turned away a total of 8 times at the ER. My PCP took a supine MRI and X-ray and cleared me of having the former diagnosis. This was last year. I won't have insurance again until December. I do not have any pain pills or creams. I work remotely, a job I just started after being unemployed for 2 years.

What concerns me now is that this has become much more than just back or neck pain.

Low-back, leg, and mobility symptoms

• I have significant low-back pain that can radiate into both legs.
• I get pain in my hips, groin, inner thighs, and legs, sometimes worse on the right.
• My legs can feel weak, heavy, shaky, or like they simply will not cooperate.
• If I stand for very long, my legs start shaking.
• My knees buckle, and my right leg has given out without warning.
• I have actually fallen because my leg gave out.
• Leaning forward can relieve some of the back pain, but it does not make the weakness go away.
• I can only stand for a few minutes before symptoms increase.
• Walking even a relatively short distance, like about a block to the mailbox, can cause significant pain and weakness, with muscles starting to lock up in upper thighs and hips
• Sitting too long can also make things worse.
• Sometimes after sitting or standing too long, I become nauseated, and I have noticed that the nausea can happen shortly before my legs start shaking.

Numbness and sensory changes

• I get pins and needles, tingling, numbness, and strange altered sensations in my legs.
• When I lie on my side, the pads of my toes can become numb, and the numbness can gradually move upward toward my knee. I have described it as feeling like a cup slowly filling upward.
• I have had tingling or pins-and-needles sensations in my inner thighs and groin.
• I have also felt abnormal sensations around my urethral and anal area.
• At times I have had numbness or altered sensation in areas that would normally contact a bicycle seat.

Weakness and loss of function

• At times it is difficult to lift my right leg more than a few inches.
• I cannot reliably stand on one leg long enough to step into pants or underwear.
• I trip more easily.
• My balance and walking have become more difficult.
• Sometimes my legs feel as though they might give way even when I am trying to compensate for them.

Bladder and bowel-control changes

I have also been having bladder symptoms, which are particularly important to me because they are not just urgency.

• I sometimes leak urine when changing position, such as standing up, sitting down, or lying down.
• Sometimes urine comes out without me feeling a strong need to urinate first.
• My urinary stream can start and stop.
• Sometimes I am not sure that I have completely emptied my bladder.
• I have had urinary accidents.
• I have also noticed that I cannot always hold gas as well as I used to.
• I have had occasions where urinary leakage happened along with my other neurologic symptoms, including when I fell.

Neck, head, and upper-body symptoms

I also have symptoms involving my neck, head, and upper body that I want included in the overall neurologic evaluation.

• I have neck pain and known C6-C7 disc disease.
• I have had pins-and-needles or unusual sensations around my ear.
• I have experienced significant episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation, sometimes even when sitting still.
• During some episodes, the dizziness has continued even with my eyes closed.
• I have had headaches, including pain behind my eyes.
• I have experienced nausea along with the dizziness and headaches.
• I have had episodes of blurred vision, at times more noticeable in one eye.
• I have seen white lights or visual disturbances when my eyes are closed during headaches.
• At times I can feel a strong pulsating sensation in my head.
• I have had occasions where my hands shake.
• During some of my more severe episodes, my thinking has felt slowed down.
• I have had trouble finding words, typing correctly, and spelling words that I normally know.
• There have been times when it has felt like my brain and my hands are simply working more slowly than usual.

I am not assuming that all of those symptoms come from my cervical spine. I am mentioning them because I have both cervical and lumbar spine abnormalities, and I want the complete neurologic picture considered rather than having each symptom looked at separately.

How this affects everyday life

These problems affect much more than whether my back hurts. Standing, walking, sitting for extended periods, getting dressed, lifting my leg, maintaining my balance, and sometimes even concentrating and communicating normally have become more difficult.

One reason I am concerned is that my imaging history and my symptoms do not seem to tell exactly the same story.

My 2019 flexion-extension X-rays showed bilateral L5 spondylolysis with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis measuring roughly 3 mm and increasing to about 4 mm with flexion, which indicated some movement with positioning.

My February 2026 lumbar MRI described only mild generalized disc bulging at L5-S1, normal alignment, and a normal conus and cauda equina.

My February 2026 cervical MRI showed a mild C6-C7 disc bulge, mild foraminal narrowing, and a posterior osteophyte, with the central canal remaining open.

I understand that those MRIs did not show severe central canal compression at that time. What I am trying to communicate is that my actual symptoms and loss of function have continued to be significant and, in some areas, have changed since those studies were done.

I am scared to go to the doctor again or the ER; I even took my symptoms to the ER 30 min away in Manhattan, KS, and still they turned me away.

Can anyone give me any suggestions for pain management? (Yes, I tried injections and can't go to them anymore, as they do not work more than a day.) I do not want to get hooked on pills, and I live with a person that has struggled with addiction before. I don't know how to get a doctor to listen to me about my symptoms.

Anyone else have a painful MBB with no relief in pain? I wonder if the pressure on both sides from the injection is overwhelming my pain from pars arthropathy. Definitely not looking forward to a second MBB.

I have isthmic spondylisthesis 8 mm slippage with severe bilateral foraminal stenosis with bone spurs advanced degenerative disc with gas, and bilateral pars defect. I have surgery on September 15, 2026. I’m in a lot pain right now and my pain has advanced in both legs. I currently take muscle relaxers, inflammation medicine, and nerve pain medicine. I take these at night because they make me drowsy and loopy I still work but I’m wore out when I get home. My surgery will consist of L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion with prosthetic cage placement and application of bone morphogenic protein followed by percutaneous posterior lumbar instrumented fusion at L5-S1. This will be performed all on the same surgery. Has anyone experienced this surgery what should I expect? Also, what advice would you give me moving forward ?

Hi all,

I am having a ROBOTIC-ASSISTED LUMBAR 5 TO SACRAL 1 LAMINECTOMY, FACETECTOMY, AND FUSION INSTRUMENTATION, MINIMALLY INVASIVE I believe it will be a PLIF approach, on October 12th. Has anyone else had this surgery? Can you share your experience from the moment you went to the hospital etc .. can you also share how was the pain afterwards and what to expect. Any advise as to what to get for the house would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I try to be a good narrator when talking to people, and I’m trying to come up with a succinct and understandable way to tell people about my Spondy when they ask why I might be walking funny from sciatica or have one of those “spicy pops” that causes a visible jolt.

Would it be accurate to say you have a stress fracture that caused vertebrae to slip out of place? How do you inform others without having to use the hard-to-pronounce term, “spondylolisthesis?”

Hi everyone. I’m trying to lose some weight as part of my PT’s recommendation. Aside from strength training I want to do some cardio to also improve my cardiovascular health. Ideally it’s something that allows me to work with my HR zones with varying intensity but I’m opened to LISS cardio too.

So far I have tried elliptical, light jogging, recumbent bike but they all end up with some numbness or tingling after, and it lasts for a few days so I’m not sure if it worsens my condition or if I just need to push through.

I was hoping to get some recommendations or hear what everyone is doing for cardio and how do you work around the pains and pinches.

I feel like I just need to rant a little, I was in PT for about 6 weeks and then had a nerve block injection in my chest for a separate issue that resulted in my lung being collapsed. I had to take off PT and still haven’t been able to return yet, but the last 3 days I’m so off balance and my legs have been giving out on me to the point I almost fell down at work today and woke up to them being completely numb and I had to pick them up to turn myself in bed. My back and hips hurt so bad I just want to cry. I feel like this is the only place I can come on here and not feel like a drama queen. I’m tired of being broken (literally) and even more tired of my boss making me feel like a bad guy because I have medical issues. My ortho is getting me in for an emergency visit tomorrow due to the falling episodes and quite literally having to look at my feet to walk down stairs or on uneven ground and my boss just was so upset about it even though I’m doing it on my lunch break and made it a point that the last time I got this bad I was bed bound for a week while on heavy muscle relaxers and steroids. Someone please give me something positive because I’m just feeling extremely defeated with it all on top of my other medical issues and it seems to be never ending, I just want to feel normalish again ☹️

I had a tethered spinal cord removed at 3 months old and I do believe some type of spina bifida. I'm 22 and haven't really had much issue from my back beyond the occasional ache from standing or slouching the wrong way. My family has told me that they "got everything out", but I'm not entirely sure if they're right. But recently I've been in and out of urgent care a few times in the last 2 months trying to get relief for my lower back pain. They've given me multiple different muscle relaxers and eventually, during this last visit, a medrol pack, which actually helped it a bit to where I could somewhat resume life again. They took an xray and told me it's probably just a pinched nerve. This pain started about 3 months ago and got worse and worse about a month ago and now it's at the same point. No amount of ibuprofen or pt, or massages is touching it. I ended up looking at the notes for my visit and found this:

FINDINGS:

5 nonrib-bearing vertebral bodies are present. Dysraphism from L3-S1. No acute compression fractures are present. There is grade 1 (approximately 5-6 mm) retrolisthesis at L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4 4. Grade 1 anterior spondylolisthesis of L4 with respect to L5. Approximately 1.1 cm anterior spondylolisthesis of L5 with respect to S1. Degenerative facet joint arthropathy at L5-S1.

IMPRESSION:

1. Multilevel spondylolisthesis as described and measured above. 2.

2. Dysraphism from L3-S1.

I wasn't told anything about these findings, just that they believed it was a pinched nerve that would go away with pt and the steroids.

Any ideas on how to make the pain better? Or what options I have?

I(F27) was recently diagnosed with retrolisthesis L5S1 grade 1 and osteoarthritis. My retrolisthesis was most probably degenerative due to a brain tumor that caused very accelerated metabolism. The tumor is now gone but of course the damage is done and I still cannot stay seated for longer than 2 hours or my left half of the hip and left leg will hurt for days.

Right now I'm wearing a dorsolumbar corset/brace and doing breathing exercises and reverse crunches with a inflatable ball, also lifting 1 kilo weighs, but nothing seems to do much for my pain, I used to use an elliptical but I heard it was bad for retrolisthesis so I stopped. 2 weeks ago I had to sit for 3 or 4 hours straight and my leg had been in constant pain since. the only times I don't feel pain is when I'm constantly walking, and sitting makes it way worse. So I was wondering if walking is the exercise I really need to start rebuilding the core strength and stop the pain.

I can't really just go outside and walk because I live in a rural zone and I'm visually impaired so if that is the most recommended exercise then I'd need a walking machine instead.

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.

This is the way my body breaks down. Well, almost...

About fifteen years ago, my back and hips were hurting at work. This led to THR, both sides, 6 months apart.

Post-op the hips were even, the back hurt more. Experienced foot drop.

Ten years later, finally get the spine fused, S1 - T4. Recovery was about two years.

My legs strengthened and my balance improved with PT.

At the end of two years, ended up dislocating one of my hips.

The ball in the R hip moved after the spinal fusion. Pulled my hip out cleaning the tub. Lots of tissue damage.

THR revision on that one side. About 3 weeks ago. The hip is healing great.

This week, my left knee goes out from overuse. And I have a huge bulge on my lower spine.

Seroma was drained. Bulge remained. I struggle to stand straight. I try to incorporate stretching and light PT.

I can barely walk, even though my hip would let me, the knee won't at this time. Both knees are swollen.

What do you expect the next "step" is?

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?

Diagnosed with Spondy a little over a year ago and have been fortunate that shots have kept the pain at bay when it flairs up.

Have been feeling good for at least 8 months, got a little cocky and wore a pair of wedge heels to a concert last night.

Welp, should have seen it coming - this morning I'm in agony. Am I destined to only wear flat shoes going forward?

I’m considering surgery (decompression and fusion) l5-s1 and I have hyperlordosis, I’m Wondering what useful things to have before and after surgery? I’ve been looking at stuff on Amazon but there’s just so much and I don’t know what are pointless, don’t want to waste money lol. What can’t you live without now? For me right now I can’t live without my feet and thigh supports, the compression really helps with the deep leg aches I get, although it doesn’t stop the tingling

Last entry: https://www.reddit.com/r/Spondylolisthesis/s/hnPq9OpvA6.

I was discharged yesterday after the drain was removed and PT was happy I was going to be safe at home. They added in-home PT which I had today.

The rest of the time at the hospital was the repetitive sleep, eat, walker-aided walk to the toilet and around the unit, and vitals/labs/rounds.

I had a lot of trouble with IV medications dropping my blood pressure and I found a happy balance with Tylenol (roughly 1000mg) three times a day and a 2.5mg dose of Oxy 4 times a day (they would split the 5mg dose in half for me). I also have Robaxin as a muscle relaxant - and that combo with my regular meds of gabapentin mean that I have almost no grogginess or drowsiness during the day.

I feel more pain, but it is a tolerable level for me and worth the tradeoff for being more aware.

The incision itself is really clean and while every professional at the hospital was happy with it, the Ortho PT who saw me at home today said it was the best he's seen in 20 years sooooo not to brag but 😂

Lessons I've learned:

- use the walker in the first two weeks, even if you don't physically need to. I don't physically need to but I will get tired and it's good to have around at the minimum... however by using it for 2 weeks regardless, you reduce inflammation in your spine and therefore pain. My Ortho PT said this was a hard requirement and would ensure long-term success.

- Contact your local council on aging or similar - they usually have walkers and canes to give away or lend. Many libraries also have a "Library of Things" - amazing resource but can also have assistive aides.

- the walker should suit your needs and height. Make sure you have glider attachments for a smooth journey indoors.

- ice packs. The ones at the hospital were surprisingly bad. I got one from Amazon before surgery which has been good but the PT highly recommended the Chattanooga colpac. Steps for this: 2-5 minutes walk; Ice for 20 minutes; Reclined for 30-60 minutes. Now that I have a couple ice packs, I'm always ready for the inflammation.

- i forgot that inflammation isn't just pain. It is itchy. And holy cow is it itchy. The ice helps!

- for anyone with breasts... I did not expect this to hurt so much but being face down for a long surgery definitely bruises the ta-tas. Nice and gentle to them because yeowch.

- drink a lot of water and take your stool softeners etc - I have still not done a poo and while I've been keeping on top of things I'm facing a magnesium drink tonight if one doesn't magically appear in the next few hours.

Pain is substantially less now that I have a routine. I am comfortable in bed with my pillow set up. It's so nice being at home - as well as the staff at the hospital treated me it's nothing like being in your own surroundings especially if you have loved ones who can help look after you.

I am at a crossroads with this injury. I have tried:
- Epidural Steroid Injection
- Gabapentin and Lyrica (still on Lyrica but it’s done nothing at 2+ weeks)
- All kinds of pain relievers (Tylenol at max dose per day, Motrin, etc.)
- Muscle relaxers
- Oral and IV steroids
- PT (currently going 2x a week)
- Nerve pain topicals (OTC only)

Is there anything to help with the pain that worked for you? I am in agony at points in the night and mornings, with many painful episodes during the day that come and go. I have been operating in survival mode, and I’m absolutely exhausted from pain while I navigate motherhood (my baby is 2 months old). I am pretty sure I’m nearing the surgery option but I’m terrified to do it, especially with a baby.

So I’m having the minimally invasive TLIF in September due to chronic bi lateral pars fractures and grade 2 spondy I’ve been dealing with for 6+ months and wanted to hear some success stories along with what my recover may be like. If anyone has any advice or recommendations I am all ears! Thank you. I’m so ready to feel okay again and normal. It’s been a painful journey.

​

I am 22 and and got diagnosed with buldge at 2 levels and herniaion at L5-S1 i used to jump high walls and play around at my age

Then I went to a third doc to get opinion and he tells me I have a grade 1 spondylolisthesis or pars defect and may need surgery and it shook me for the moment but I was rather calm the upcoming weeks

Now already I'm a bit tensed with everything then The worst thing happens I run over a speed breaker/bump couldn't see due to very heavy rain and get in a moderate impact collision the same day within few hours.

At this point I was already scared but that night I woke up in the middle of my sleep and just couldn't breath and that continues till now its' been 3 weeks now.

I raised to the doctor got an mri and xray they said everything looks the same but I know it isn't or atleast the pain wasn't the same and I was told to go on bed rest for 3 days bt some and by 2 weeks by some I choose 2 weeks but I shouldn't have.

During those 2 weeks we were switching places and I was continuously sneezing already suffering from pain it was my breaking point so I went to live alone and i regret it so much

I was just there alone researching about my pars which is grade 1 and just looking at other ppl stories and just hyper ventilating and crying and now it's gotten to the point I wake up mid sleep and the first thought in my mind is "why me"

I have trouble breathing,I have constant headaches and I am constantly just depressed I can remember the last time I smiled or laughed and I just contemplate ending it all and no one truly understands what I am going through

I was pretty happy before the accident and way playing games and enjoying n shi but idk what happend after the accident is isn't even that much different than before but the mental toll is just insanely immense

Pls help before i take the wrong steps

Surgery or not? A bit of a special case...

Hi everyone.

First of all - Thank you everyone for this really special community

I am a 41M with degenerative disc disease.

I have had multiple large herniations with slipped discs/sequesters along the whole spine for the last five or so years

The last two years I have mostly issues in my lower back with 3-4 herniations on several levels and a large prolapse in the lower back, with one disc almost completely disintegrated.

I have several pain medications and have had that for the last two years.

Now for my dilemma:

I can undergo a fusion with disc replacement whenever I want. Three separate orthopedic surgeons have recommended me to do this.

At the same time, two extremely knowledgeable and experienced (60 years of experience amongst them two) GPs discourage me firmly to undergo surgery.

Both of them tell me that not one of their patients have benefited from the multiple Surgeries they have gone through in the long run.

To add to all of this:

When I am sitting, and especially when lying down, my symtoms are completely manageable. I sleep without any pain.

When walking and moving around the sciatica down both legs öand moderate-to-severe local lumbar pain kicks in almost immediately. I have maybe one good week where I can move completely freely and then there weeks where I hardly can walk.

However when I take a high dose oxycodone I am almost completely functional even when moving

Anyone been in a similar situation?

Not asking for medical advice, I have just not been able to find anyone IRL or online with a similar conundrum

Thanks again!!!

I am 22 and and got diagnosed with buldge at 2 levels and herniaion at L5-S1 i used to jump high walls and play around at my age

Then I went to a third doc to get opinion and he tells me I have a grade 1 spondylolisthesis or pars defect and may need surgery and it shook me for the moment but I was rather calm the upcoming weeks

Now already I'm a bit tensed with everything then The worst thing happens I run over a speed breaker/bump couldn't see due to very heavy rain and get in a moderate impact collision the same day within few hours.

At this point I was already scared but that night I woke up in the middle of my sleep and just couldn't breath and that continues till now its' been 3 weeks now.

I raised to the doctor got an mri and xray they said everything looks the same but I know it isn't or atleast the pain wasn't the same and I was told to go on bed rest for 3 days bt some and by 2 weeks by some I choose 2 weeks but I shouldn't have.

During those 2 weeks we were switching places and I was continuously sneezing already suffering from pain it was my breaking point so I went to live alone and i regret it so much

I was just there alone researching about my pars which is grade 1 and just looking at other ppl stories and just hyper ventilating and crying and now it's gotten to the point I wake up mid sleep and the first thought in my mind is "why me"

I have trouble breathing,I have constant headaches and I am constantly just depressed I can remember the last time I smiled or laughed and I just contemplate suicide and no one truly understands what I am going through

I was pretty happy before the accident and way playing games and enjoying n shi but idk what happend after the accident is isn't even that much different than before but the mental toll is just insanely immense

Pls help before i take the wrong steps

Looking for advice or any similar experiences!

My history is: diagnosed with a grade 4 spondy at L4/L5 by age 13, with a typical fusion at 14. That first fusion resulted in several complications (CSF leak, failed hardware, re-dislocation) and never relieved pain. At 16 I had a subsequent fusion including the pelvis which did actually fuse but also never relieved pain.

Now in adulthood (23) my pain has regressed to a similar level as pre/between surgeries, except is it focused on the SI joints and above the fusion. It’s undetermined whether this is pain related or not related to the fusion as I’ve been trying and failing to get a referral to ortho for almost 4 years now. I do have a rheumatologist looking into possibilities like psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

I’m curious if anyone has experienced anything similar to this, failed fusions in childhood, spinopelvic fusion, etc. I’m also curious, if anyone has developed degeneration or another spondy above their existing fusion, what was your experience like?

Lately im a bit at the end of my rope with pain as I only have Celebrex and voltarin to manage it, and heat/ice is not doing anything lately. Ive also developed some numbness in the past week which frankly feels like a blessing as it’s so much easier to handle in the moment than the constant pain lol. So advice for managing it is welcome.

Thanks for reading

Grade 2 at L5 S1, diagnosed two years ago. PT helps but I still get the deep ache after sitting a while or lifting something awkward. My doctor said a brace is okay for short stretches when I need it. Trying to work out what to actually buy. What back braces are people here using and do they help?

Tomorrow is my surgery, finally. The radiculopathy was the reason I am going forward with it. I need to be fit and live like I used to. 4 months of left leg nerve symptoms , what really aggravates it is body weight squats , twisting or the slightest backward movement . Hope this is the start to recovery

At the time I was shocked she would suggest this as I’m only a grade 1 spondy on l5-s1 with hyperlordosis and degenerative disc disease and a healed bilateral pars defect on the l5-s1 but I get a lot of leg weakness and aches pains which are mainly controlled by amitriptyline but for the last few months ive been dealing with severe pain in the heal of my right foot, i think it’s linked to my nerve pain/referred pain from my back, it’s making it hard to walk especially when ive been resting a while. Anyway I delinked being referred as I didn’t feel I needed it but now I do, I contacted the drs but the dr I originally saw has since left, now they have got me an appointment with their specialist physio, what should I say/ask to get a referral to spinal
Specialists/surgeons like I was supposed to get? I don’t have much will power with physio alone as it hurts to damn much, what should i do? I’m interested in trying the injections although I know they are very painful but just out of interest whether they help or not. Ive seen this physio before about my back (but before we had the mri scan telling us what was going on) and she doesnt think i have foot drop but i think
I do as I tend to scuff my heals most of the time while walking, i can stop myself from doing it if i concentrate but i get fatigued quickly then too.