Disc Degeneration After Spinal Fusion Surgery

In this video Dr. Choll Kim explains what adjacent level degeneration is.

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.

#drchollkim #spinesurgeon #backpain #adjacentleveldegeneration #spinesurgery #spinehealth #fusion #explained #medicaleducation #spine #shorts #medicalconditions #healtheducation #backsurgery #surgery

[nancyliu]

I had mine done from c3 all the way through T2. It was done in 2017. So far I still do not need another surgury or on pain med. It has been 6 years.

[colinclancy]

Bro is so competent he can do spine surgery without looking

[agnieszkakwiatkowska-davie]

I am scrub nurse in neurosurgery. I love my work. Its my all.❤

[ybwhynot]

As a physical therapist i have been saying this for 30 years. In the past neurosurgeons would quietly just keep fusing up or down the chain. Now that they have an alternative surgery they are "warning" about the side effect of fusions.

[dongskijyu]

Think a lot of times before going a spine surgery. Healing for all sick people 🙏

[lorihall-israel]

I’ve had 5 surgeries on my L4-S1 and now I’ve developed flat back syndrome and it’s given me hell to the point my spine is now completely straight and it’s caused issues at L2-L4…. Now soon to have a 6th spine surgery to correct my spine…..

[hopehartsook]

That is what i have but my neurosurgeon retired and I cant find another that does the repair through the abdomen instead of through the back. I had a much shorter recovery time through the abdomen rather than the back.

[lanaofficiel]

Dr. Chollkim, is there any way to prevent adjacent level of degeneration from occuring in the first place??? I will be having spinal fusion surgery and I'm hoping that I'll never need to have a second spinal surgery. Please advise, thanks.

[ladysarah]

I really wish you were my doctor I’ve said before I ve had a chymopapian injection which did nothing then nerve root which affected my walking (I’d been very active up until then ) this started at age 23. I was diagnosed with a ruptured disc onto sciatic nerve at l4/5. I also had traction for 6 weeks- just made pain worse. I then get disc enucleation. Still left in pain especially down leg but also back. My surgeon then decided to stress disc above with a needle, it had been torn & then burst- worst pain ever! So first fusion from l4/5-l2. With metal plates. I was still in pain (I had to wear a leather brace for 6months! Then after no improvement it was decided bottom disc had ruptured so another fusion s1/ sacrum. I wore a spica brace for a year. That was all done in 5/6 years. I was left with original l4/5 pain & bent over from fusions. I had sciatic pain & was given physio, acupuncture nerve injections but still pain. I had my daughter age 36, she was an ounce short of 10lb & best decision of my life (she’s now a nurse) but my pelvis didn’t come back together properly & bent more. I’ve had SI joint problems for over 10 years. They’ve injected into it but my leg just went numb no benefit. I’m left with pain profusely in back & front & back leg pain . My foot tends to turn in. My leg is numb, pins/needles, like a live wire. I have huge spasms in my back. I need surgery on the left si joint but I’ve been referred to pain specialist who manipulated my leg to check SI joint & im in agony - idk what he’s done- my thighs are really hurting on top of everything else. However, I go to deep water aqua aerobics & I twisted my back (even though wearing flotation belt) and I’m concerned I’ve done something to 4th disc up or somewhere there. I’m in so much pain & all this man wants to do is take me off my pain killers as this is done thing today as he thinks they are causing problem but I’ve all this other pain. I’m at the end of my tether & need to see a surgeon & get MRI to see what’s going on. Pls help me to know what to say as they don’t care! I’ve constant nerve pain in back/leg & I know SI joint & what ever I e recently done is adding to it. I’ve also been diagnosed with arthritis in my hips, knees, hands. I have pain in my groin & pubic bone which may come from SI joint but the answer can’t be to ignore this & just remove painkillers! I’m desperate 🥰🙏🏻

[angellee]

It’s worth a try because the momentary lapse in my spine hurts worse than severe labor pain.

So why get a fusion? So you can have more problems?

[Jansnails]

How can we fix this problem and avoid segment syndrome all together. 🧐

[mazer]

Let’s talk about metal, allergies, and allergies to implant cement!!!
Waaaay too many patients are suffering without any recourse!!

[anggitaxaviera]

Wow he’s so good at this he doesnt even need to look at what he’s doing😦😦

[WonkyWomanLife]

Now I have spondyloloptosis, so ...I worried about the surgery making things weaker when I was grade 2.
I never had surgery and it is causing issues anyway.

[rneustel]

That’s what I have, and it’s no fun. I’m been going to a pain clinic since 2006.

[JoeMoore]

I had a spine fusion on l5-s1 they went through my back and stomach, I was 29 at the time, and the doctor said I will need another surgery eventually by the time I’m 40 for this same reason! I’ll be 33 this year so I’ve got time hopefully lol

[michaelandrewcart]

The 'degenerative cascade 'is a driver that n Biotech's effort to develop motion preservation technology. Artificial disc, less rigid pedicle screw systems .. just a few examples I've seen. Not every patient is a candidate and I think that is probably the biggest hurdle.

[somphothbsiratsamy]

I don’t get why steel or metal is being used when bone is Held with cartilage. Couldn’t bone be molded or 3-D printed out with other bone material or Jell-O

[Saint_Ann]

I am fused from T10 to S1. I can hardly wait for that day.