Been a para (L1/L2) for 43 years. Injured when I was 7 in an auto accident, and have always been lucky. That now seems to have changed.
A recent kidney infection (maybe still there?) ended as an osteo at my original injusy site. The osteo settled between partially fused vertebrae from the original injury. Vertbrae now are no longer fused.
After 2 weeks on multiple antibios, the medical folks settled on a single antibio and sent me home. A week later, vertebrae began hurting and advanced crepitis (bone grinding) set in. A recent CAT scan illustrates damage between the vertebrae is worsened, and the brilliant medical idiots continue to refuse a change in antibio. So I face surgery, assuming they someday eliminate the osteo.
The ortho guy insists the only possible fix is a complete C - S fusion. Wow! Talk about an eye opener.
I am incredibly active, quite gainfully employed, and will see my entire life & livelihood destroyed, then reinvented in the event of a complete fusion. The thought of this as a solution is completely alien. I cannot begin to process it.
Just beginning my search for solutions. What knowledge exists in this forum? How realistic is the surgical solution for described problem?
Seems a little like hunting squirrels with an M1A1 tank, if you know what I mean.
Would love to discuss with anyone who has gone through similar event.
- Dave
Dave's Email Address

Dave, I know how you feel........

I fought that shit in my right hip, till I finally lost the leg......
I did a search years back, and there was this one doctor who was getting new calcium to grow on the affected bones....

Good Luck.....
Jim

Jim,
Appreciate the thoughts. Didn't mention in original post, but I too fought osteo about 30 years ago in my left hip (which is no more). Still have my leg, but it is mighty odd not having a hip joint.
Was to the doc today. Somehow infection indicators show the osteo is gone, but the bone is still getting munched. This saga is far from over.
Keep the faith.
- Dave

Dave, I am going through something similar, I am a T12 para of 11 years, I have 7 vert fused w/35deg Kyphosis already, the source of much chronic pain.

I have been inthe hospital recieving treatment for about 5-6 weeks, aside from going out of my mind, I am looking at surgery to drain the Phegmon, which is kind of a sludge consistancy caused as a waist product by the infection best I can tell, and its begining to abscess.

Anyway, I dont know if your in the states or not, but I had an ortho that I am desperatly trying to get back to before surgery is perfromed. Dr Richard W. Easton, he is out of Beaumont hospital in Troy, MI. He is an outstanding Dr and is working with a company called Linares Medical Devices.

I am going to have to go through extensive reconstruction surgery, and would not want anyone else to do it. if you can get some info, perhaps you can have a replacement with one of thier new products instead of fusion. Thats my goal!!!

If you have any other questions let me know,

Joe Little

Visit the LMD website

Dave- I wonder what your current situation is. I've always felt that if a Dr.s idea made no sense to me, and he/she could not explain why it made sense, then the MD lacked something and its time to get on the phone seeking another opinion. Max out the credit cards and go to the finest clinic in your part of the world.

Just one option. Best of luck.

Pwuff

Was living in a clamshell and not enjoying life much. So, went for a second and then a third opinion. The second said "trash the clamshell and run from surgery" advocating PT. The third said "you need the clamshell, and if we do surgery we will go only mid-thorasic." Go figure.
I chose the PT route and canned the clamshell. Back started to improve as strength returned. But, I fear the osteo has returned. Spine now is tender as when osteo was in the acute phase. And ... a little feverish.
FTS, baby. May as well go drinking or something.
- Dave