I'm so sick of doctors who claim the patient is crazy because they don't know what's wrong.

I have a failed fusion l5 S1 in 1992 and have been suffering ever since. This story is so similar the Dr. denied that anything else was wrong. Later they figured out that they mis read my MRI and all I had was a pulled muscle.. Now I am tread like a criminal due to the pain meds I have been on. I am so hopeless now that I am just on gabapentin. My pain haunts me day and night. sever sciatic pain. Thanks for your video I hope people really think about surgery before undergoing the knife. I was 27 yrs old and have been permanently disable ever since.

The poor soul. As someone with a not entirely successful L4 - S1 fusion, I sympathise. I hope he can find some help as suggested.

I wish you were closer to Los Angeles. I’ve been living with UNBELIEVABLE pain after failed C2 to T1, anterior/posterior surgeries in 2012. Everything you mention for this man resonates with me. I’ve tried everything including swimming, acupuncture, massage, etc. 4 neurosurgeon consults... life just isn’t worth living anymore.... waiting for a nerve test to be approved. There’s nothing else and I can’t get my insurance to approve the psych testing for a spinal cord stimulator.... sigh...

Dr. I can tell you how much your candid attitude lifted my sprits and the no “BS” call. Like a referee at a basket ball game, you see a foul or out-of-bounds activity, you call it out! As a 6’3” Farm kid the grew 7” at age 11, I was always given a man’s chores and worked my behind off as everyone else was younger or stepfather & his dad, sat in the truck and had beer while I did all of the chores for 1.5 hrs. or longer if cold. Either way, I knew only hard work with no allowance. My mechanical aptitude was everything, apprenticed at a good 2 man shop, honed my skills. I went 25 miles to the city to have benefits. I went right into a dealership and took test my boss asked for an was awarded ASE Master certification. Years later at 28, a shop tried hard to get me to quit and work for them. I did. They built a gas station/shop on a hill and did not pack the dirt. A slab of concrete sunk 8” and the three techs (Including myself) cut 2X8’s at a slant to be able to drive a normal car into and out of the shop. The boss lost his case and bought a huge backhoe and found out I could run it. Removed concrete and down 4 feet so drain pipe could be fixed. It rained in late summer. They put tarps over it then removed to dry. Two weeks or so passed and my boss asked me to run the rented earth compaction machine. I said no and argued for 20+ minutes. My pay per hour went way up and I am running this gas engine, that jumps up & down. The dry soil turned to mud, picked it up and drug it to a new location. Same problem. I knocked it over after 5 hours, locked my tool box and went home with a sore back. I woke up with the sensation of the worse sunburn I ever had. I had a surgeon with 30+ years and after laminectomy, mylogram and dropped in screaming pain. Now the fall and 29 years old. He took donor bone from hip and explained what became true. (R.I.P. / Nice guy) He told me out of 5 major muscle groups, I tore three of them near the bottom. He said these are scar tissue. 20 years pass and had a fusion using the “Harrington” procedure with pedestal screws, bars and bracket five year before. No longer could work bad elbow, torn rotator cuff, just a sum total too much. About 2 years later, dorsal nerves trapped in scar tissue and burns after bending to wash hands or work at the bench. Had an RF oblation but low, 3 bilateral. It became worse and come on quicker, but an L3-L2 epidural eliminated the pain and burning twice. Same 2005 Doc. got in and did not like what he saw. He did a good job but have the screws in S1-L5-L4-L3 and won’t go higher for the obvious reasons. Going back to have an epidural at the L3-L2 again, but if good, the only thing I can do is radio frequency nerve oblation that may help a little because it’s been soo long. Repeat again every two years or more. I can’t sit on my butt, and I have to bend for everything. Just want to stand like a man at 62, and walk to my mailbox without my abnormal long cain. I hope this works as quality of life has dropped to #2 w/10 excellent. I want to get off hydromorphone 8mg X 4 (Was 5 for 6 years) & diazepam 10mg X 4. It helps but for 20-40 minutes, then tick-tacs. Anyone reading this after April 30th, 2021. If asked by work to do heavy work, even if you are built like a bull. 28-30 is your peak!!! Stop, say no, walk away and quit if need be. It is not worth it! There are other jobs, could be hard at first, but better than a lifetime of being young and looking like your 85 years old, in pain. It is really hard to cut your caloric intake from 2,000 to 500 calories per day. In pain, you can’t burn calories so you gain weight. 5 lbs. per month X 12 = What? 160 lbs. 170 lbs.? Now close to diabetic, heart problems 25 years early! Don’t do it ever. You look after you! Know-one else will. I can’t mow my own yard. Takes 4 tries and this year, no garden! First time ever. Sad, but life is hard, don’t make it harder! I am P. O.! Omaha.

Very sad. There are incompetent doctors in many places, but this patient has clearly had one of the worst. I hope he can be seen buy a team of doctors that can repair or at least reduce the damage. Whoever did this to him should face criminal neglect charges and no longer be allowed to do any surgery.

I'm not a medical professional but Dr Gillard explained this so well I'm horrified that a qualified surgeon could make these mistakes.

This is very scary. I had a fusion @ L4/L5 where they came in from my right side. They only put a bracket on this side which would probably be ok but the spacer that they put is metallic and my new doctor can’t see if the bone graft took or not. No bone graft on outside part of fusion. The reason I got a new doctor is because I still have pain and even have new additional pain. All my doctors involved believe that L5/S1 failed shortly after surgery. First doctor had me get a round of shots to be sure that was the problem but then just threw his hands up and said that there was nothing he can do except for a pain stimulator so I went see a neurosurgeon. He got me going to three months of therapy and then surgery to fuse L5/S1 and tie in L4/L5 on my left side with additional bone graft. I’m praying for a miracle that I won’t need the surgery but I am doubtful. When I woke up from my first surgery my right leg was completely dead. No feeling or control whatsoever. You could have amputated it and I wouldn’t have felt it. The feeling and movement slowly came back and that was like the most painful dead leg I ever had. That’s why I think my first doctor is scared to work on me anymore. He said I had bad arthritis and ligaments and the bone was too brittle. I don’t think he was being honest at all. He went from being one of the nicest doctors to being completely distant. I’m tired of being on pain meds and being in pain all the time and I’m hearing horror stories with that pain stimulator.

I work in construction and I can see the big mistakes. I don't need to be a doctor in other to see that , I've been watching MRI in lumbar discs for couples days . Poor kid , I feel sorry for him

That is staggering I am a carpenter and i would ashamed if i failed to hit my mark that badly with a screw its staggering, I also have a fairly rare and interesting spine condition that started as the result of a 40ft cliff fall in 1970 at the age of aged 15 years old, I sustained a compression fracture dislocation of my lumber spine Dislocated the lower 3 cracked the 3rd in 3 places and compression fracture between 3rd and 4th, I had almost no neurological deficit at the time; and have had no surgery it all self fused, I had a fall in 2015 broke 5 ribs and a scan at that time, I also have the rare bone L6 for interest, to the situation and i have a full copy of the scan, It appears on the scan that I am developing some real problems with my thoracic spine though am having some difficulty gettting this confirmed, Thank You for a most informative video,

Honestly after seeing this I no longer feel that my lumbar spine is that bad and I’m greatful for having only one fusion revision and 4 other lumbar surgical procedures dealing with herniated disc and stenosis issues, I do have some pain issues, but over all my spine is stable but complex as far as treatment of symptoms , and I’d rather be me than him!!

Wow, this has got to be Canada!!! So sorry for this young man. I completely empathize with what you’ve had to go through. I really hope you’ve found help and are doing better now. I’m going through a very similar situation with a botched fusion, been trying to navigate our joke of a medical system since 2018. Same deal, Surgeon refuses to take accountability, and all other Surgeons that have assessed me refuse to help . I’ve went to NYC, and Germany on my own $ seeking help. Had half the revision surgery I need in Germany , now I can’t afford any more personal loans. Sent my images to multiple institutes in the states and Germany and they all agree the hardware is misplaced, screws , cage and all. It all Needs to come out in order to heal. They refuse to acknowledge that here, help me , or send me to someone that will help me. It’s beyond hopeless and frustrating. I don’t know what to do at this point. I’m only 29 and just want my life back.

Went through the same crap after my first fusion, their even suggested I see a psychiatrist.. I found a REAL Doctor here ( not US) who fixed it as well as he could, replaced the infected screws and installed a cage to support the screws.. I am pretty ok now...

Hello dear doctor. I don't know how to thank you, how to thank for your help. I play your graet videos over and over. Thnak you so much. You are the best doctor I know. 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Thanks to you, I was able to diagnose my husband's cervical problems, and got a surgeon whom fixed the problem, from a previous neurosurgeon that should not be practicing medicine.

I remember reading on your website . Surgeon selection is the most important factor in spine surgery .

I’m going to now watch your video on reading an mri Thanks for teaching us sir.

Dude, I mean Dr., I wanted to see the video but couldn’t take my eye off that beautiful rig behind you. I love PRS guitars. Mesa Boogie isn’t too shabby either. Well done! After watching this video, I’m absolutely terrified of my upcoming ALIF for L5-S1 in a few weeks. Having a great level of mechanical ability is important to drive a screw into the right spot. I waited for a long time to do this surgery with back pain on and off for 15 years or so. I’m going to be 55 yrs old in a month which is why I went ahead and decided to do it. Hopefully I’m not a case study for you in the future.

How sad, I went through a similar situation back in 2005, the first surgeon messed my lower back up, the pain was worse after the surgery, I kept telling him something was wrong, I was going numb from my lower back all the way down both legs to my feet, I finally was able to go back and see said Dr, only for him to say nothing was wrong, I funny had enough of his B.S. and went to the emergency room at the university of Chicago, they set me up with an appointment with the head of neurosurgery for the hospital. He sent me for all kinds of x-rays, mri's and ct-scans, finely the Dr found out the first surgeon left a big hunk of bone on my nerve, so, he set me up for surgery to remove the bone fragment and fix whatever he could. He was able to remove the bone fragment, but kept telling me how sorry he was that he couldn't do anything else, because my spine fusion was a mess, it took him over 2 hours just to remove the bone fragment on my nerve, he told the bone fragment almost severed my nerve in half, and he told me there was no surgery or grafts that he could do to fix the nerve, he sent me up with an appointment with a pain Dr, who, said she could only give me pain meds to help with the pain, and that was all. It is December 29 2019, and I still have to take pain meds to help me with the pain and help me be able to get around and do things, I will never have a quality of life (as she put it), even taking the meds, I won't, she said it's something I will have to deal with, I still have really bad pain, the medication helps, but not I wish it would, she said she could give me stronger meds, but I refused, because they are highly addictive, even the meds I take now are addictive, but not as bad as the meds she was talking about. How I wish I could go back in time an either never have the surgery or had a better surgeon do the operation, even if it meant going to another state. That was the first surgery I had ever had, I didn't know any drs, so I called my insurance company to help me out, they were the ones who referred me to the first surgeon........

Excellent video, with excellent reporting. I have laminectomey some 50 years ago. Ret law enforcement now 71 had fall now groin pain into both thighs buttocks can’t walk far burning pain I have also T 11,12, fractures Cervical 5,6,7 done spurs Nuro advised pars fracture to L4/5 S 1 needs cage with done in. I am very worried now waiting for operation but with all the of the above I am very concerned now.

Incredibly well articulated video, thank you.

I've had three back operations and am still in hellish pain. I would bet that my MRI would look like this or worse. Much of the time my life is not worth living and the doctor says, "Well, I fixed you." Oh hell yes.....he fixed me, all right.

I would love for you and your friends to look at my case to see what you think. After watching this video i became worried about where I am standing with my fusion and laminectomy, because I've become decreasingly worse since my surgery. I went back and looked at the findings and it talked about screws being out of place like you described in this video, it also said something to the affect FINDINGS: 1. There are postoperative changes of posterior segmental fusion with screw and rod construct at L4-L5. The left L4 pedicle screw breaches the outer cortex of the left pedicle. The left L5 pedicle screw breaches the anterior lateral cortex of the L5 vertebral body. There is lucency surrounding the left L5 pedicle screw raising concern for possible loosening of the screw. The hardware is intact. 2. There are decompressive laminectomies of L4 on L5. 3. There is a persistent grade 1 anterior spondylolisthesis of L4 on L5. This is stable from prior imaging. No new malalignment is seen. 4. Imaging was performed from the lower aspect of T11 through the S2 segment. The imaged vertebrae maintain their height. No fractures are noted. There are no osteolytic nor osteoblastic lesions identified. 5. The sacroiliac joints appear normal. 6. No paraspinal soft tissue abnormalities are seen. T11-T12: No posterior disc abnormality, central canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing. T12-L1: No posterior disc abnormality, central canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing. L1-2: No posterior disc abnormality, central canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing. L2-3: No posterior disc abnormality, central canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing. L3-4: No posterior disc abnormality, central canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing. L4-5: There is a decompressive laminectomy defect. There is significant streak artifact from the orthopedic hardware. The normal soft tissue planes are disrupted due to the surgery. The spinal canal and the foramina are not adequately evaluated at this level. L5-S1: There is no significant osseous encroachment on the spinal canal at this level. Degenerative endplate osteophyte and facet arthrosis is causing mild to moderate left and mild right foraminal stenosis. _________________________ IMPRESSION: There are postoperative changes of posterior segmental fusion with screw and rod construct at L4-L5. The left L4 pedicle screw breaches the outer cortex of the left pedicle. The left L5 pedicle screw breaches the anterior lateral cortex of the L5 vertebral body. There is lucency surrounding the left L5 pedicle screw raising concern for possible loosening of the screw. The hardware is intact.

What a nightmare. Be Very Careful.

I feel so sorry for this patient, I myself have had two spinal fusions in my lumber spine seven and a half years ago that was a complete failure after visiting my surgeon so many times and told there was nothing he could see that would be causing my extreme pain, he refused to do anything about it now after seeing another surgeon Im having more surgery to rectify the original surgery I have been diagnosed with a collapsed disk and servere flat back syndrome The hospital is a training hospital The Royal North Shore Public Hospital. The original surgeon who is a top surgeon at this hospital his name is Dr Hartin.

I had 2 failed fusions in 2010 c4-c7 and 3rd c3-c4 in 2015. Live in constant pain!!

There is something that may need to be checked. I also have a failed fusion than nobody will address. I've been back and forth with doctors and even got a new surgeon to look. My original surgeon suggested that he take out the hardware, but I refused because my pain was so bad with my original fusion surgery it required a 7 day hospital stay and 10 day rehab stay. That was 2019 In the July 2022, I severely dislocated and broke my ankle. After 4 months and so far 10 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, we are finding I may have a hardware problem. I still have open sores over my screws which won't heal. No predisposing conditions that would cause this. Every step I take is painful. Still have periods of shooting severe pain I have asked to have my hardware removed as soon as it's feasibly possible. The soonest they will do it is April 2023. Anyway, if that stops the pain, it may be my back still hurts because of the hardware. I'm going to ask for it to be removed.

I dig your Mesa Boogie and PRS Doc!

So scared. After multiple epidural injections, nerve root blocks and multiple spinal fluid leaks and three spine surgeries later the horrific problems continue now I’m being faced with these nerve ablation procedures. I’m highly concerned because the aftermath of epidural injections in my neck left me with Essential Tremors since 2017. I’m highly concerned now having anyone get that close to my nerves in my spine. “Is it just me or is there anyone else out there experiencing such a huge amount of bad luck with their spine”

I hope this guy gets the best help after what he has been through with these other doctors,, and get out of the country you are in and I pray that you get healthy and pain Free 🙏✌🏼✌🏼💖👍💯🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Thank you Dr. for your time and passion for making people walk again, and freeing them from pain. You’re a gift from God. I am horrified by what the butcher did to the poor patient. Unbelievable, that he is even allowed to keep operating is beyond comprehension!!! That butcher probably thinks he’s the best at what he does. Cocky monster 👹. God bless you and god bless the poor patients that this butcher has probably destroyed, already .

Hi Dr Gilliard. Very informative video. I feel so bad for this patient. I know what is to be in constant pain. I had a two level neck fusion in 2020 that I am still suffering from pain. I had multiple imaging done and no Dr has been able to tell me what’s wrong. It’s frustrating how a person in pain is dismissed by these surgeons.

I have a surgeon here in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Jhas of Trillium Spine Center, that has been “so busy” that I’m still trying to get in for my “6 month follow-up” 11 months later, and I fear I have a hardware issue because of new shooting nerve pain in the opposite leg and ongoing chronic pain around the hardware site of a different quality than originally. Unfortunately, in Canada we have such a critical shortage of surgeons that you have to wait a year just to get the first consultation, and another year for surgery (more if it’s not “urgent”), so if feels hopeless if you need to have revision surgery done to correct work in a time sensitive window. I’ve already had one revision surgery due to infection obtained in the hospital, what happens if you have hardware out of alignment during the healing process and you wait t too long to fix it? Thank you for these videos, it really helps to be informed, and to see there are surgeons out there than are such compassionate patient advocates 🙏🏻

to me, the the second MOST HORRIFYING thing in this video is that this doctor won't tell us what country and what hospital/doctor botched this surgery... that information will save countless people from having to go through the same thing!!!!

Both of these procedures, what it looks like to be were done in a Monday.. no doctor wants to admit their fault- esp with this consequence. What works for me- If I get a feeling I’m getting short changed in regards to treatment or care- I go get a second opinion from another health care professional. Instead of getting brow beaten by the same physician. Thanks for the video- 👍🏻

Well, that was scary. Just had a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon today about my L5 S1 problem and chronic lower back pain. Last scan was two years ago so he has ordered another. Now I am frightened.

I had a back fushion of the L4 L5 SEPT 3rd 2021. I ended up with a back infection and have had nothing but problems since. I now found out 3 of the screws are broke and the 4th screw is on the verge of breaking. I also have a grade 1 1/2 almost 2 slippage. Im in severe pain. My doctor said I need emergency surgery but he can't seem to get me in until July 29th. Today I'm debating going to the ER for the pain. Im so worried about my back.

Had a back surgery in 2003. Went though the front then the back..l5 S1. Loss the use of my left leg. Got 65 percent of it back. Loss muscle mass. My leg is so skinny...worse mistake of my life..Dont know what to do after 19 years..

Hello, this is a good question and confusing for people. The L3 nerve root runs down the lateral spine and courses right in front of the root of the anterior part of the transverse process of L4. So that misplaced pedicle screw could indeed be rubbing the L3 nerve root.

I had terrible left leg pain, the neurosurgeon said I had to have a laminectomy to correct. Went for surgery on 2/2021 but he did a fusion on l2-l5 and s1. In recovery I felt losing mobility in my RIGHT leg. I was told that during surgery that blood pressure dropped in my leg and damaged my nerves. Now I have drop foot, my toes are numb on both feet, the skin on my left leg is numb along with the skin on my lower right side and butt cheek plus my bowels now have a mind of their own. After 2/12 mos. of rehab to no avail I had an EMG 9mos.later and was told the nerves in my leg were fine but the problem is in my l5 from surgery. I was scheduled for more surgery on 11/2021 but my vascular surgeon stopped it and my primary didn't recommend it because I could end up in worse shape that I am now. So I guess I'll be a cripple for the rest of my life.

I had 2 failed spine fusions in 2010 and 2011. The first one had to be repeated due to a screw coming loose. I'm in worse shape now than I was prior to ever having the first surgery.

Some needs a good lawyer. This is EASILY a 2-4M settlement.

Hi Douglas, thanks to you i learned everything about spine. I came from Croatia and no one accept black disc as a source of pain. I sufferend since 15, and now im 32. I had 2 artificial disc in Barcelona 5 months ago L3-L4 & L4-L5 and i feel reborn. For that patient if fusion didnt fuse, there is a real chanse to remove it all and insert ADR. Thanks for informative video, speccialy about annular tears which i had and noone accepted it as a pain source...

So sad. Legal action required

⚠️ I finally was in so much pain after years with a lumber fusion wearing out the next disc up that I had an artificial disc Spinal Kinetics M6-L implanted at the bad disc level. Severe pain stopped immediately. Had to travel and pay cash, but it was an investment in getting my life back. It’s been three years and I am not perfect, but I am excellent. ⚠️ I also recently had the old fusion hardware removed. That made a notable difference as well. People with fusions without bone density disorders should consider it after two years post fusion if in pain or discomfort. I felt the rods jamming at the base of my spine (a dull impingement feeling) especially on a hard surface chair and could not walk or be on my feet long without excessive inflammation. Two screws broke as well. What opened my eyes is a surgeon said there was little room down there. So let’s get this straight, I am causing friction and scar tissue as I walk...

I have 8 screws,3 rods cage , fusions pushed out of my back I cannot walk upright sense my surgery . I’m in so much pain and now I’m told the upper back is collapsing and no one can do anything. There’s isent help and I’ve have pain down both legs neck but I could just give up I became disabled because of my surgery. Doctors around here will not see a patient until 3 years after a failed surgery if ever. I waited many years and now I’m pretty much done

I am passing that same thing my doctor tells me that the surgery went well but now I have more pain and now I am passing out frequently it has been almost 2 years from my surgery he won’t take a second review

You mentioned drs can be sued for what they did. What if you didn’t know that’s what they did and the statute of limitations was expired? Drs shouldn’t get away with things like this. At the very least they should get their asses kicked!!!

If you could help me, I'd be greatly thankful. Had a fusion 10/2018. Can't do too much without pain. Not much different & even worse after surgery. Had laminectomy, fusion of L4 & L5 with cage graft and decompression.....still feeling horrible.

I have undergone a similar operation on the 25th of April 2023.. Right after the operation i have been suffering from burning pain on my outer right thigh. The doctor advised me that the pain will disappear with time. The pain is still there. Please advise me what to do. I live in Africa, in Namibia.

I’m from the uk in 1980 I had a laminectomy in the John Radcliff in Oxford after the op still in pain with sciatica numbness 2015 I had a fusion the next day I went to surgery opened up again as I had a clot should of been in hospital 5days in the end it was 3wks 5days since my op my pain has gradually got worse sciatica is back also my legs are numb and excruciating pain like electric shocks in my legs constant pain been on Fentanyl for yrs and awful in the soles of my feet I went to have treatment with Michael Durtnall a chiropractor from London after 5 yrs of coccyx pain which I was told after having mri x rays by Drs that nothing was wrong. Michael did a xray which showed it was dislocated which has improved so much after treatment he did more x rays of my back which he said one screw didn’t look correct I was still seeing the surgeon at that time so I showed him my X-ray he dismissed it said nothing is wrong Just recently I saw a GP who said a screw looked suspect I’ve been referred to go back to the pain clinic which over the yrs I’ve lost count of all the treatments I’ve had over the yrs. Listening to you with your knowledge I just thought I’d share my experiences with you.

I’d be happy to send you my case if you’d like to use it for a class or case study, I’d actually enjoy watching the production 😊

Ask your surgeon for a cortical midline approach.

Everyone who has seen this and is looking at this ,please PRAY for him.Please God have mercy on him!

Hi, I have a question. I had my scoliosis surgery when I was 12, Im now 26. Im thinking about getting it removed since its been so long and Im having muscle strain and my back Is tired all the time. My hips joints are starting to as well.. Do you think the spine is fused enough to get it removed without recurving in the future. Thanks

I had the alif procedure @ L5/ S1 in Nov 2020. Sciatica is worse in my left leg now, and has even moved into my left arm. Constant pain in my left back along with muscle spasms in my left leg and unbalanced at times. Ugh...

This is me to a T. Exactly same situation my main pain is in the outside of my right calf it feels like someone is giving me a chairlie horse every step. Also had a tib/fib put back together and the 2 screws are busted in half on the same leg. And having no family or friends or money living on PWD ( Vancouver B.C. Canada ) 🇨🇦 is just over 1200 a month . Rent for a 1 bedroom apt goes for around 1200 to 1800 .I went to school yo become a pipe fitter and obviously that's out the window. Now 42 think I'll try to become an outreach worker part time. So we'll see.......Cheer's.

I had the same surgery on 01/08/2019, after a year, I have more pain than I did before the surgery, my 3 hour surgery turned in to a 5 hour surgery because the membrane around my spinal cord was torn during surgery. I wish I had never had it done, I had severe nerve pain on my right leg all the way to my big toe. I cannot enjoy the life I had even before surgery, I used to play golf 4-5 days a week, Now I cannot play 2 days in a row or I end up on the couch with my foot and let on a pillow. My insurance company denied my claim, they paid the facility but would not pay the surgeon in full, it went through 3 appeals and denied because the surgeon's decision to fuse my l5-S1 was not "Medically Necessary" so that tells me the surgeon messed up, I ended up having to pay the surgeon's bill myself or they would of sent me to collections. I cannot believe my pain I have in the right hip clear to my toes, it's horrible. I am lost and don't know what to do about it.

I am going through this right now .

Took me 12 yrs to get a mri again in 2015. Been on ss supplement want to put screws an bolts in my lower back

Looks like doctor used him for his fusion practice. Its really sad

Dr nick from the simpsons was definitely behind these surgeries

I also have congenital stenosis. I had a fusion in late 2018. Since the fusion I have been in severe pain. Just found out I will need another surgery. I’m really considering seeking council regarding my situation.

In 2006 I had a car accident that left me very bad. My first surgery was to extract the fluid from the disc and push the disc since it was very close to the spine. I was 21 years old. If you saw that my bones were not strong to withstand this type of surgery and unfortunately I have lived with pain because everything collapsed puncturing nerves and everything is stuck I took hydrocodone 10 mg 325 which at least helped me control the pain for more than 4 years I didn't even go back to check my back because in fact they took away all the medications. Sometimes I can go weeks without sleep because I get anxiety in my legs that I don't feel them I fist my legs because it's frustrating to live with that feeling. They recommended that I wear a stimulation machine with morphine and another with electricity but I don't want to continue having surgeries that are not going to give me back my joy living with back pain is not living and the depression it causes you is worse 

Here we are in 2023, My surgeon definitely thinks my L4/L5 fusion did not get enough bone growth and that is causing the pain since surgery. I will say all the leg pain and sciatic pain was gone day 1 after surgery, but I have had pain and still have pain anytime I bend forward. My question is the original surgery was done from the back but this time he wants to do the revision at L4/L5 but coming from the front, How will he remove the screws? Can it be done from the front or will he have to do that from the back and do the rest from the front?

All this giving me the clear picture that the Dr who performed this wasn't had any hand on experience n had tested his inexperienced skills on an innocent patients. That dr shud me punished wherever he's in this world. God please help the patient who's in a miserable pain.

I would never let any Medal shop worker do a Lumbar Fusion to my lower back , I've heard to many repeat bad story , imagine this , Tiger wood with his 500 millions had to have 3 Spinal Fusion ,you would think a guy like him that can afford the best surgeon to do it right the first Time ,what chance does a Dumb jock like us have under the knife the first time .

I was used as a ginniepig for a double lumbar fusion in 2014 that has been and is a nightmare, pain has taken over my life, please consult with me as No one seems to be able to stop this Nero surgeon from doing this to people 😢 I never needed the surgery to begin with and have mri reports showing before an after , I didn't sign up for this off lable surgery, parts , he's still practicing 2022 help in Michigan

L5 pars is the what I figured he needed fixed with fusion and it wasn’t addressed!?

I kept going back to my Drs and surgeons to say my left prosthetic cemented hip was painful, down the front of my leg and groin, when I walked. It took 7 years before the did anything and had to redo the hip, it has now started again the same symptoms they are telling me the same thing again, that it is fine. ?? So I will just wait until I am crippled before I go back to them, one physiotherapist said basically it's all in my mind.

I need advice please. who decided what kind of metal will be used for the fusion on the lumbar? I have been told that the only material that the body doesn't reject is platinum or something like that. help me .......!

can the patient sue ?

My brother who has a very unique and rare hereditary severe arthritis disease, he got his hips , knees and shoulders replaced. His arthritis attacked his spine and he started having extreme pain and started losing his ability to walk past 5 months. He just got spinal fusion done from cervical spine all the way Just before his tailbone. He has been in the ICU here in Boston for a week now and they’re having issues with waking him up, as he is taken off the ventilator, his breathing is not good enough for him to be off of it. Their next step is to do tracheostomy and wake him up that way to move him around and they’re thinking that the reason he cannot breath is because of his challenging and rare anatomy, and that his new fusion is causing him a lot of pain and therefore not expanding his lungs effectively. Also, after the primary surgery, they took him back in the next day after 2 screws were misplaced and the surgeon wanted to correct it because it would give his nerve pain in his arms and it’s better to fix it now than later. It’s already done but my brother is still having issues getting off the ventilator, they’re doing a ct scan to check up on his brain as well. We’re all very worried is there any advice you can give?

Hi my name is Ramiro Del bosque I have had several lower back surgeries and my screws keep loosening I have 10 screws in my lower back. What can I do because I’m still having a lot of pain.

Poor thing the pain must be unbearable

I am in the same boat. Had 360 spinal fusion in 1997. S1 L5 L4. Bone graph taken off left illact joint. Now I have unstable SI joints. 2003 they took our hardware because pedicle screw in spinal nerve. Now I have 2 more herniated disc above fusions. Pain so bad. Also 2 herniated in middle of back. Pain doctor said he want treat me anymore if I don't get into a surgeon. I have been trying to but workers comp is holding it up. Then this pain doctor cut my pain meds to two hydrocodone break through instead of three. What happened to do no harm on to heir oath. I'm 64 and the pain is getting so bad. God help us

Hello I had the same complain both legs on pain for a year 6 months de infuse my back cause my bone weee shifting. But I still have pain on legs and now new pain on my buttock .please help what should I do I’m always on pain pills .I can’t work ok because of pain.

I am 72 years old and have undergone spinal surgery in september 21 for spinal stenosis and L3-L4-L5 listhesis.My pain and leg problems have remarkably improved.but I have developed bladder hypotonia .I have to do self caterization twice a day.i would like know the chances of recovery.

I know what you mean they must think we don't know how much pain we are in

Is that scar tissue in the skin covering the epidural and facets?

Thank you for the. very informative video. I have a botched laminectomy. Not sure how to proceed. Constant pain even with an SCS

Had a Fusion in April after I ruptured the same disc about 4 years after a microdiscectomy, and the doctor says at 12 weeks my bones are not fusing? Don't smoke drink or have diabetes? What happens if my bones don't fuse? Any ideas to help with this? Immediately after fusing no more leg and radiating pain but after 12 weeks don't feel any better than I did 3 weeks after? Back feels painful when I lean forward slightly or try and lift anything?

I had a final surgery in 2011 after a work related incident,I have been in constant pain since,Doctor Steven Jacobs of Fishkill NY giving an 80% chance of success whom was a brain surgeon as I was that because the spine is alert of the rain.i have also met a patient of his at the pain management that he performed the same surgery on which failed.It has been 12 years and I had to leave NY due to the cold weather I became fed ridden and depressed,I was but on Fentenoyl & hydromophine

He’s had triple bilateral facet fusion with screws????

How in the Hell did those Drs. get certified? Always remember that in Sports, YOU, sacrifice your body, for the entertainment of others. At any amount of $, it's NOT worth it. Outstanding video Dr. and hope to God that that guy is pain free today. I'm facing something like that in the near future and am scared a lot about it.

Why do Some doctors not listen??? I've been going through this pain hell for three years. No doctor will listen and help. I was told I needed a revision five years ago. I can barely walk but they don't seem to be concerned! Does anyone have any ideas on getting a doctor to help you

General cutaneous syndrome. I had the same exact thing. If he has burning like fire and knife pain. They hit the nerve.

im having a fusion in 4 days time. After watching rhis, i dont know if i should proceed or not.

the patient must be on medicaid in the U.S. this sounds exactly like my treatment options

Hi can you read my MRI ,I had S1/L5 fision in 2004 and since 2012 Im in the bad back pain ,left and right leg pain I got a Arachnoiditis .How can I contact you and send my MRI scan tu you ???can you hellp me ,thanks .

Well you answered my question

Unnecessary laminectomy L-3-4 part S-1; 2004 severe pain since.

PLEASE HELP - I AM FINDING SOMETHING DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND 11:35: isn't it the L4 exiting nerve root? Given this is the L4 vertebrae. How can it be L3? I thought at L4-L5 disc level you have the exiting L4 nerve root flowing and traversing L5 nerve root in the thecal sack. ??? 26:25: Same thing. If we are looking at the L3 vertebrae. Shouldn't it be the L3 exiting nerve root next to the screws in the extra foramin? 16:48 - It made sense to do a fusion in my opinion, because he had an annular tear in the disc at L3-L4. Although it could be argued because his disc looks healthy. ALIF - is a great fusion for a patient becaues you don't end removing bone or tampering with the CE nerve. A posterior fusion can be quite destructive not to mention scar tissue formation around the CE nerve

27:18 is his L5s1 ok? Why is the posterior so thin compared to the front

I had a lower lumbar fusion 23 years ago it failed in 2019 I was in an accident it screwed up my back never had 3 mails read to me because of covid now I'm in excruciating pain still no mails read my surgeon /friend wants to help please help me

I'm familiar with this kind of pain all too well. IF my surgeon messed my operations up this much, I would make sure he could not walk for the rest of his life. That's the only way to keep these crock doctors in line.

Can I ask u doc I had hemilectomy and microdisectomy l3 4 and l4 5 .does it mean I lost posterior bone removed on two vertebrae what else could be the other option.thx pLs ans for me

I BEEN SUFFERING low back pain since mid 90's, Doctors can't find the cause.

Yes I will be getting a hold I would like see your thoughts on a spine stimulators. The pain centers are pushing these on patients. Like they are working for them and I just feel they have a kick back putting these in and are they worth it when you had 8 surgeries and still have bone problems ? And been living with adhesive arachnoiditis. I will email you thank you

That is a shame!