L3-4 herniation after L4-5 fusion questions

[PolliBibbs]

In October of last year I had a fusion of L4-L5. It has taken a long time to start healing but I think it did what it was supposed to do. But I have had continued pain in my lower back around SI joints and no apparent reason. Lately I have also been experiencing severe leg and foot cramps (like charley horses) I had a CT scan done in Jonesboro where I live and went to my surgeon in Little Rock yesterday. He said the scan showed a large herniation at L3-4 that was not there before the surgery on L4-5.

I guess my questions is - has anyone had similar problems? Where is the most severe pain located with a L3-4 herniation - and am I probably going to have this one fused also. I am a paralegal who works 10 hour days and sits over a computer all day and it is beginning to get intolerable. The doc did an MRI yesterday but I will have to wait a day or two for him to call me with the results as to how bad the herniation at L3-4 is.

What are my options - anyone similar problem. New to the forum and just need some help. and thanks.

[rhatzy]

Hi,

Too bad you didn't find us sooner. Usually, we advise you to have ADR. It shows a tendency to prevent just what happened to you. If all that is wrong with you is a bad disc at L3-4, then I'd get an ADR. Now, hopefully, your L5-S1 is ok.


Mark

[AJ]

Hi and welcome, I had two level adr seven years ago and was diagnosed with a further herniation recently. Could be just one of those things or a knock on effect from having had the adr surgery. One of my adr's caused facet problems so just had this fused to try to sort it out.

Its the big debate as to whether adr maintains function in other levels better than fusion. I'm someone who it didn't long term but I was brilliant for 5 years with it before any problems showed themselves.

Not sure what I would go for if the untreated disc were to go on and get worse.