Follow the arrow to my spondylolisthesis
 

So life was pretty good for quite a while. Then in mid 1998 I started to have incidents when I would get out bed, take a few steps and get a sharp shooting (I described them as lightning bolts) pain down the left leg. I had to catch myself on the bed post a couple of times. As soon as they would hit, they would disappear. From there it was only a few months before my old enemies of pain and numbness returned. At first it would take a couple of hours of walking and standing before the pain/numbness would set in. In early 1999 it got to the point where it would only take a few minutes. I could not finish a shower without pain/numbness zapping me.

Perhaps getting older had made me less pain tolerant but this time around, the pain seemed worse. Getting around and doing things became a chore. Thank heavens for internet and catalog shopping or I would not have been able to do a lot of my Christmas shopping. I picked up my stretching routine, made more visits to the chiropractor and would find short term relief - usually just a day or two. After being referred to a new local orthopedic surgeon (original one had retired) I was referred to physical rehab. Rehab a pretty much a disaster. The people that worked on me were nice enough but their programs just were not having any effect.

I met with my family physician (a different one from the first bout) and we decided to get some more evaluation from someone with more experience in lower back problems. I was examined by Dr. Daniel Gelb of the Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Gelb is a adult spine specialist in the Department of Orthopedics. I got the usual intern initial review and then Dr. Gelb came in. He put me through the same stuff I had experienced before in exams and then he had me bend, stand-up straight, and then try to walk with my toes up. After a couple of steps the "lightning bolt hit". This impressed me that he was able to make the situation manifest itself. He provided me with valuable information and put me on to his web page that covered my problem and other spine ailments. The web site is listed below but if you want to go there now click on the following link:   Penn State Spine Surgery: FAQS .

I was told I had three choices. I could try to live with the pain, I could try pain management through injections, or surgery. I couldn't keep going the way things were. Pain management shots only mask a problem. So I elected for surgery.  I went in April 12, 1999 and had a posterior procedure where scar tissue caused by the spondylolisthesis was removed and then the out of position lumbar vertebra was fused to the vertebra below it. I spent about two and a half days in the hospital and then 6 weeks at home. Since then I have been steadily progressing and enjoying the ability to get off my butt and walk around again. I can't be 100% certain that scar tissue won't return and once again irritate my sciatic nerve, but for now I am once again out there enjoying life. Below are some of thoughts on back pain and some links you may find helpful.
 

• What worked for me or your neighbor down the block may not work for you every case is unique to that person.
• You can not passively sit back and let doctors and therapists dictate everything to you. You need to be an active participant in your situation.
• Because there is no external display of injury, a lot of people can't appreciate the pain you are experiencing. I think only other back pain sufferers can appreciate it. I have been fortunate that I have never experience migraine headaches. I can't image what that pain is like. So I can't relate to the pain a migraine sufferer endures. Having someone to talk to that knows what you are going through can provide a big psychological boost.
• Read, read, read. Information allows you ask better questions and understand you situation better.

X-ray of my screws and vertebrae
 
 

 Arthritis, Bone and Joint Center

 Penn State Spine Surgery: FAQS

 The Neurology Forum (Cleveland Clinic)

 MGH Neurology

 National Institute of Health
 

Best wishes and good luck.