Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group fusion

Dear All,

Some doctors I have seen have said to me that once your joint fuses, you will have no more pain. I have even had a discussions with a Mayo dr who said maybe I should consider fusing my S/I joints through surgery. (the only diag. this dr would give me was sacroiliitis. Anyway, after reading some posts, it seems like the pain would still be there due to the fused area. Can anyone explain this to me?

Thanks,
Maureen

Edited by emmaandjacksmom on 03/30/04 08:51 AM (server time).

Hi Maureen

I have had my spine fused and my neck with surgery and yes the bone pain did go away but the muscle pain and when you try to move the fused part of the spine it does cause alot of pain. I wouldn't let them fuse my SI joints through surgery unless they are broken. I have come to the Idea that if you don't have to have something fused by surgery don't because it just makes things worse in the long run.

John

Hi Maureen, John would be the expert here, but I wanted to add my word to this.

Yes, they do say that the pain stops when the fusing completes. However, there is mechanical damage to the body that still causes pain (see John's post). Frankly, any doctor who would tell you to get your SIs fused should be questioned via a second opinion. My left SI is almost fused (or completely, it depends who you talk to) and I have a great deal of pain there at times.

Anyway, I don't know if that helps. I do hope you get some answers soon, if only to ease your mind.

Hugs,

Kat

Hi Maureen,
I am 70 years old and I am sure my AS started in my early 20's I was diagnosed somewhere in my early 50's I have never been treated for AS except asprin and a medication called Ketoprofen. I am completely fused, and due to the fact that I have always excerised I am fused pretty straight.
I have no pain at all. I only take Aleve for stiffness. Some days I forget to take it especially when the weather is nice and sunny.
Exercise, always be aware of the position of your body and don't let it slump forward.
Stay away from having the doctor do surgery to fuse you.

Doreen

That was mentioned at our support group meeting in Phoenix,
that once fused no more pain. I think we should go more with
John's post, sounds more logical. Never would I tell my son to
let a surgeon fuse any part of his AS body.

Take Care,

Maxine



"Mike's Mom"

I'm with John on this one, my SIs are fused and I also have a lot of damage in my lower spine (lumbar). I'm on Arava now so have conquered the constant inflammation. But the muscle spasms can be pretty bad, they are the result of mechanical damage, and my right SI can really hurt if I overdo things or sit in one position too long (as in a car trip). I would definitely not let anyone fuse any part of my back! I exercise a lot (swim an hour a day, work out at the gym three to four times a week) and that helps keep my muscles in good shape which is the only thing that alleviates the spasms.

Cheryl


If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs mean it when they kiss you

Hi Maureen
Sorry I haven't PM'd you. Been trying to survive with ribs still horrible. My surgeon considered fusing my SI's. He said that it can be helpful if you have severe inflammation and erosion in Si's.I had my entire symphsis pubis removed in the front and my surgeon said that in terms of magnitude the Si fusion surgery would be even more intense. I was in a wheelchair and eventually a cane for months. You would have to endure months of physical therapy etc. There are many complications that can occur as well. This is big surgery. Anyone who suggests that to you flippantly and without thourough investigation and consideration of all options-I would never see again. Also, as part of my pelvis naturally fused after my surgery you can still suffer nerve pain etc....as they wold likely have to sever nerves and cut through muscles etc..in order to fuse. This is a nasty surgery and according to one of the top pelvis surgeons I spoke to in LA, a last option (and not really a viable option). If natural fusion were to happen I can see how that would likely end up with less pain as your body did it to itself.
Sorry, I know you are desperate to end the pain but this would likely increase it and cause other problems to your legs, mobility, everything as your whole pelvis would be changed.
Good luck finding other options!
Has the Humira worked yet?
Rene

Rene a.k.a Julie

No, for me fusion has not helped. My neck is almost completely fused, I have not been able to move it in 8 years or so. And yet it can become extremely painful, any movement, even leaning. So I have to disagree.
It is the same with my back and SI joints.

Take Care
Wayne

Thank you all for your answers....I can't believe a Mayo Clinic rhuematologist would reccommend this to someone. Doctors have really frustrated me lately.

Maureen

My opinion of a I've met in the last few years is that I would n't let them look after my dead parrot!

The good ones are excellent!

david