Posterior Lumbar Inter- body Fusion

Posterior Lumbar Inter- body Fusion

Email - P.Allan@tees.ac.uk

My name is Peter Allan and I’m fifty four years old, married with one son. Prior to my operation in July 1992 I’d suffered back pain since 1989. An orthopaedic specialist at that time said nothing could be done for me as an operation could leave me more disabled than I was already. After three months off work I returned, however I had to change my job within the company due to my continuing back problem. In the years that followed I suffered a lot of pain, which was severe at times, sitting and bending being a real problem. I actually had to lie on the floor at night to watch television. At various intervals my back would just go and I was unable to stand up let alone walk. Over the years I tried many treatments from many sources, ultrasound, acupuncture and osteopathy being the most helpful although not actually curing the problem. During the less painful periods swimming, cycling and walking helped me keep as fit as I could be.

In the summer of 1992 a friend of mine told me about the good work Mr Krishna and his team were doing at the Spine Clinic in North Tees Hospital. I made an appointment to see Mr Krishna and because I’d tried every other avenue regarding exercise etc. he arranged an MRI for me. This showed a problem with the disc at L5/S1 level. To be absolutely sure that this was the cause of the trouble I went to the day care centre at North Tees Hospital for a procedure known as a discography. As a result of this test I was offered an operation on my spine. I had no hesitation in going ahead with the operation and Mr Krishna predicted that I had a 70% chance of improvement.

The operation itself was preformed at North Tees Hospital, involving a five night stay. I had a posterior lumbar inter-body fusion which involved removing the disc at level L5/S1, replacing it with bone and supporting the level with two titanium plates and four screws. It was amazing to find that we were asked to get out of bed the following day and attempt to walk. Physiotherapy started almost straight away with a small routine of exercises several times a day. Over the next few weeks gradually building on this and finally returning to work after nine weeks. Things progressed well until I had a setback after five months. I must have overdone things in the gym and strained myself. This episode took around ten weeks to recover from. I think on reflection it took me two years to get to where I am today. I still keep up the exercises, both Pilates, walking and swimming, only now avoiding the weights.

I am delighted with the outcome of the surgery and have nothing but praise not only for Mr Krishna and his team, but everyone at North Tees Hospital who helped me. In my mind the operation has been a complete success. I now have a wonderful new job at Teesside University and I’m putting all those painful years behind me.