X-rays / opinions

[beaverc]

Hi people , Had some X-rays done at Dr.Delamarter's recently. Would like to get some feed back from "back people" like myself.

RADIOLOGICAL EXAM: Plain x-rays show a bit of collapsing scoliosis with right-sided collapse at 3-4 and 4-5, quite severely;some openining on the left side and then a lateral veiw of quite severe spondylosis with almost bone on bone at 3-4 , 4-5 and 5-1.

Is stenosis assumed with the above description?
Too much curve for for ADR , Dr. says (3) fusion both posterior anterior .
In my mind and with what I have read I don't know which is worse the (3) level fusion or the state I'm pesently in.
When is surgery an absolute necessity? Sooner or later?
Depression is also a factor, any advise?
Thanks for your experienced opinions.

[Hooch]

Don't tell them your depressed?

You don't see depression being a factor in knee recos, or hip replacements.. yet it is suddenly a causative factor in less successful surgery such as fusion and disc replacement.

Why should I pull punches... it's a ridiculous blame the patient mentality to explain away the failures of the current medical technology. You can be depressed without back pain.. ridiculous.. in 50 years they'll laugh at it.

That's a big op you're facing. Surgery is never really considered a 'necessity' with backs unless you're facing losing bowel and bladder control.. that is a very degenerated lumbar spine.. it won't ever get better on it's own.

[tnt136913]

just be sure the l2 l3 level is not blown,,, i had a 2 level 360 fusion in 2000, but 3 levels was bad , you will know pain when the next level goes after a 2 level fusion,, i am getting my l3 l4 fused again this time alif ,, at tbi in dallas,, wish i never let them touch me,, its been a life of hell