The X-Stop spinal spacer

gloria028 · 23. Mar 2009, 12:06

Hi
I am new here , and i have OA ,pretty generalized -
I have had shoulder surgery (which was painful but succesful )
It all began with my r shoulder and for the last 8-9 years it has been getting worse
My worst area is my back - Xrays show OA in cervical and thoracic area ,but my lower lumber spine is really bad
I had a CT scan which showed problems between L4-5; and L5-S1
I have lilolisthesis+ a protruding disc + osteophytes and spinal stenosis
i have been waiting to see a spinal surgeon for many months now
I did'nt try to speed things up 'cos i was waiting for this new thing i had read about called the X-stop which i understand is a minimally invasive procedure - can be done under a local anaesthetic, and is available on the NHS
I have just learned that there is a spinal surgeon in my area who has started to do this surgery
Do you know anything about it?
I have a lot of pain and it is in the R buttock and down the R leg
Trouble is i am never quite sure if it is my actual knee or ankle since both are painful
The only clue i have is that if the pain eases in my back it also eases in the R knee and ankle
I also have pain down my thigh and shin
Does that sound to you like it is coming from my back?
Just one more question --
I have found NSAIDS to be quite effective for pain relief, but i am really upset because after 6 years of taking ,first Ibuprofen then Naprotec (naprosyn with cytotec) I now find i get bad acid reflux and heartburn
I wonderered if volterol skin patches would be an answer - I was going to go to my Dr and ask if he would prescribe them ,at least they would by pass the digestive system
Thank you in advance for any comments
Gloria

elnafinn · 23. Mar 2009, 13:49

"I have a lot of pain and it is in the R buttock and down the R leg
Trouble is i am never quite sure if it is my actual knee or ankle since both are painful
The only clue i have is that if the pain eases in my back it also eases in the R knee and ankle
I also have pain down my thigh and shin
Does that sound to you like it is coming from my back? "

Hi Gloria

May I put in my pennyworth and say that these symptoms sound very like sciatica. I have been suffering on and off with sciatica since the middle of November and started physio in January. I thought my physiotherapist had knocked it on the head last week as I had 4 totally painfree days but it has come back to haunt me, but no where as intense or as often. I have not stopped seeing the physio yet.

I have a slight curvature of the spine so it comes as no surprise to me. The physio said I have a "horrid" spine!! I get on really well with her and feel she knows me practically inside out as she physio-ed me excellently after my total knee replacement in January 2008.

I hope you soon get some answers.

Look after yourself,
Elna

gloria028 · 23. Mar 2009, 18:10

elnafinn wrote:

"I have a lot of pain and it is in the R buttock and down the R leg
Trouble is i am never quite sure if it is my actual knee or ankle since both are painful
The only clue i have is that if the pain eases in my back it also eases in the R knee and ankle
I also have pain down my thigh and shin
Does that sound to you like it is coming from my back? "

Hi Gloria

May I put in my pennyworth and say that these symptoms sound very like sciatica. I have been suffering on and off with sciatica since the middle of November and started physio in January. I thought my physiotherapist had knocked it on the head last week as I had 4 totally painfree days but it has come back to haunt me, but no where as intense or as often. I have not stopped seeing the physio yet.

I have a slight curvature of the spine so it comes as no surprise to me. The physio said I have a "horrid" spine!! I get on really well with her and feel she knows me practically inside out as she physio-ed me excellently after my total knee replacement in January 2008.

I hope you soon get some answers.

Look after yourself,
Elna[/quote
Hi Elna
Thanks for your reply
I do hope it is coming from my spine 'cos surgery may help me - If it was my knee and ankle then it makes it more complicated - you cant have surgery on everything
Do you do regular range of movements excercises?
I do half an hour every night Stuff i picked up from books and CD's and the internet
I find those really help me , they keep me mobile and ease the pain and hopefully strengthen the muscles to take the strain off the spine and joints
I have really bad indigestion lately from NSAIDS- I cant take them anymore !!and paracetemol is useless
I also try to walk for half an hour in the park - I have to sit down every 10 minutes mind , but i persevere as i think it does good too
Have you trouble standing - like in queues for the supermarket or talking to people ?
I cant stand longer than 2 minutes
I even have to sit on a pair of steps at the sink to wash dishes or peel vegetables Its such a nuiscence
You take care too
Gloria

elnafinn · 23. Mar 2009, 19:21

Hi Gloria

"Do you do regular range of movements exercises? " Every day I do about 30 - 40 minutes of stretching exercises, have done for years.

I have to go and sit down sometimes when at the sink to relieve the pain, or sit on a stool at the sink to do vegs etc.

My sciatica started, when for a long period of time, I was visiting my mum in hospital and staying at her home for 4 days out of 7 most weeks and then coming back home and doing everything in a couple of days and then returning. I was doing lots of walking and carrying of heavy shopping, all things that I do not normally do. Also I did not do my daily stretching exercises. At home I use my bicycle to get around locally and my bike carries my shopping for me. My physio thinks that the intenseness of my life at the end of last year caused the sciatica, along with my dodgy lower spine.

I do the couple of exercises the physio gave me, three times every day.

I do sometimes feel discomfort standing in queues or talking to people but I can stand for longer than you are able.

I do not make an effort to go for a daily walk because sometimes this is most uncomfortable. My sciatica is tempermental since attending physio - I am not in discomfort all the time so that is a step forward.

Chin up!

Elna

frogmorton · 24. Mar 2009, 06:21

Hi Gloria
The advice you've had from Elna is sound, but the volterol patches...I think I would go and discuss with your GP. Have you tried stoach protector meds?? like omeprazole?
I do hope you get sorted soon.
I had back surgery 5 years ago and still have referred pain in hip leg and foot and can't feel some of rt foot back of rt knee and bum!!!! :oops:
Don't leave it too long as the surgeon said if he had operated 2 years sooner I wouldn't have had so much nerve damage.
Take care
Toni x

helpline_team · 24. Mar 2009, 08:18

Hi Gloria
Welcome to the Forum. You sound as though you are good at managing your arthritis and you've had lots of helpful replies from our forum users especially about discussing a stomach protector medicine with your GP.
Pain radiating down your leg can certainly come from your spine and I hope you can get to see the surgeon soon. Our Information Manager found the following reputable website which gives you good information on the X-Stop procedure.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p040001.html
Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
Val

gloria028 · 24. Mar 2009, 09:39

Thank you all sooo much for your helpful replies - It really helps to know i am not alone and that we can share tips and ways of managing
Thank you too to the team - I have looked up the site you gave me and on the face of it I may be a candidate for this
I have an appointment with my GP in a few days and will ask him to refer me to the surgeon i heard about .Fortunately i have a good relationship with my GP and he always includes me in decision making re - my medical problems (i used to be a nurse ) which has more than likely contributed to my present problems
But as you well know the wheels of the NHS grind v slowely so i will have to have patience and dont expect this surgery tomorrow or anything -meanwhile i have to cope with the pain
Do you think manipulation by either a chiropractor or an osteopath would help get the pressure off of the nerves ?
Maybe it would make things worse?
Anyone tried accupuncture to control the pain?
Sorry - I have so many questions - but it helps to get other peoples experiences -
Thanks and God bless
Gloria

helpline_team · 24. Mar 2009, 11:26

Dear Gloria,

I'm glad you've found all the ideas people have put across helpful.
Rather than us give you a direct answer to these questions I'd refer you to an excellent source of detailed information on self-management of back problems. Author is Dr John Tanner, title is Better Back. You can order a copy from the library or buy it inexpensively in the shops.

He has a whole chapter on which conditions respond to manipulation - and as your diagnosis is complicated we'd rather not get into trying to offer expert information.

If you are waiting to see a specialist this kind of resource will help inform you of the kind of options any orthopaedic specialist will want to explore with you.

I don't know whether you've explored less invasive proceedures like strengthening physio and steroid injections, but often you'll be expected to have tried them before being offered any back surgery.

I hope that is helpful
Guy

gloria028 · 24. Mar 2009, 16:01

Thanks Guy
I will try to get the book you suggest
I do understand you cant "treat" me on the internet as it were
No i have never had steroid injections into my vertebrae
I have had them several times (over a period of years ) into my shoulder before i had surgery and also my other shoulder which has not been operated on - the one in my good shoulder worked very well and i have been free from pain in it since ie 6 months ago

The X-Stop spinal spacer

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