Asking for some good vibes and prayers
Mrs. Bird has gone through a long stretch of pain. She had adult scoliosis correction in February of 2023. About a year later she had pain going down her right leg to her foot. We saw the doctor who did the surgery and after x-rays determined that the rods and screws (32 screws and 4 rods) were where they supposed to be. Suggested she see the pain doctor. So, we did. She had several injections some of which provided a bit of relief and some which didn’t. Pain and weakness became worse which necessitated going from a walking stick to a walker.
Our CNP suggested going outside our normal hospital/medical group to get fresh eyes on the problem. So we made an appointment. New spine doc took extensive history and asked many questions. He ordered an x-ray. When we saw it he noted that the scoliosis correction had been done very well. The back isn’t the problem. She needs a new hip. Surgery is scheduled for March 13. Basically, the ball has collapsed and is almost square shaped.
My wife has had a history of back issues that started with a blown out disc due to sneezing. After the micro lumbar discectomy in about 1987 or so she needed spinal decompression in 2016. One nerve was so flattened going through the vertebra that the sheaf was tearing. Within the next two weeks of that surgery she had two infections (one was staph) that required going back in to clean them out. That caused her scoliosis to really go nuts.
What she wants out of this is just to be able to walk without pain.
Thanks for listening.
Lonely Bird
= new reply since forum marked as read
to your wife and hope that a good resolution is near
Also, my thoughts are with you as well as her caretaker.
Hugs to you both.
This is what happened to a good friend of mine last year. She had two reconstruction surgeries on her lower spine only to come out of the last surgery in great pain, couldn't even walk... and she had horses. After some complaining she was seen by her back surgeon who discovered that she needed a hip. That was last summer/fall. With the new hip she is doing well, not going to ride horses ever again but she can walk and do her daily thing without pain. She's in her mid-70s.
I hope your dearest has a similar outcome!
Glad your wife has improved so radically!!! 
Sending prayers and good vibes, and a for each of you!
whenever I have any pain that lasts for a few days it makes me think of people who live with chronic pain, I always wonder how they do it.......wishing the best for you and Mrs. Bird
That's a huge load of stress over the years, tough on both of you. May she walk with comfort soon. 
It sounds like your wife has gone through so much. Let's hope she finds relief with the hip surgery. Tell her DUers are rooting for her! 
Thankfully they found the problem, now to get it fixed.
God Speed Lonely Bird
family and friends who didn’t have successful back surgeries and it’s difficult. But hip replacements seem to be much more successful. I’m rooting for you.
Divine Cranes - Dance of Devotion
I've had a similar journey with my back... including hip replacement. All I ever wanted was to be able to walk my dog without horrendous pain, and to be able to clean my house. At 70 now, I just want to be able to get out of bed on my own. Doc's won't even touch my back, as espoused by one surgeon. And now, hubby is deep into dementia and has heart/arterial problems, so $$$ are all going to pay off his expenses. I can't add more to that, no matter how much I may want to try to find help. Instead, I live on hydrocodone, the amount of which doesn't cover a full month of what I need... and I fight not only my back but now fibro and lupus. The dreams I have at night are happy... it's the waking up I'm beginning to resent. (from "Picard"
I do hope the hip surgery will send your wife into walking wellness. It would be wonderful to know there are good docs out there who really try to do what's right for their patients.
