Back surgery

[Goatwhiskers]

Any of you had disc replacement surgery? I have bad discs between L-4 and L-5, also L-5 and S-1. Numb feet, left leg on fire, lower right is the same. This is pinching the nerves involved. Doc wants to screw on a device coupling the three vertebrae for stabilization, then replace the two discs involved, all thru a 1 1/2" incision. I know things will be quite painful for a while, Doc says therapy after 6 weeks, 10-12 week total recuperation. I do trust this doctor, anyone had successful surgery of this type? Gonna have to do something soon. GW

[rexherring]

Haven't had that one yet but back in 1979 I had 10 vertebrae fused and two metal rods bolted to them. Now the lower lumbar are wearing out because they are doing all the support and bending. I do feel for you but, get it done and it'll be much better afterwards.

[tomme boy]

From everyone I have talked to, don't let them fuse the joints. If that is what you are have done. If that does not work, nothing else can be done. From what I have been told anyway.

About 10 years ago I was going to have to have 2 herniated disc removed. I ended up not getting it done. It took about 5 years to heal itself. I have other issues now on other areas. Bone spurs on 2 vertebrates mid back. And muscle spasms coming off of the same area that will not go away.

[historicfirearms]

I had C4-6 fused in my neck, titanium plate screwed in with my own bone inserted between vertebrae. They harvested bone from my hip for the surgery. That was four years ago and I'm glad I had it done. The neck healed up in a couple months max, the hip actually hurt worse than the neck. If I had it to do over again, I would have used donor bone instead of my own. Some days the hip still hurts, but still glad I took care of the crushed discs.

[scottiemom]

I read a lot of medical records over the years and most people seem to have good results, especially if they do what they are told to do as far as taking it easy, doing your rehab etc. technology has come a long way in the last few years as far as neuro and orthopaedic surgery goes- most of it is outpt or overnight stay these days.
hope it all goes well for you!

[1911sw45]

I had fusion done from L4-L5 and L5-S1 in 2008. I had all the symptoms you have now. Now I got all them plus incontinence and can't lift any thing over 20lbs the rest of my life. I am only 38. I can't stand, set or walk for long times. If I have to bend over for any mount of time I am down for several days after. If I could do it all over again I would not have had it done. Pain sucks I know, I am in it 24/7 365 days a year.

If you have it done I hope you get relief.

Adam

[TXGunNut]

All I can say is exhaust the PT and other options before doing the surgery. I was recommended for back surgery 7 yrs ago and due to some shady dealings on my employer's part it didn't happen. I did PT on my own for several months and I'm not 100% but I wouldn't have been after surgery either. As long as I can put my feet up for 20-30 minutes at lunch I'm good to go. That somehow takes the pressure off my L2-L3 disc and keeps my left leg from doing crazy stuff. Sounds like you have more damage than me, think long and hard. A second opinion wouldn't hurt either.

[Charley]

Back surgery was recommended to me about 35 years ago, to fuse my L4 and L5. Back was unstable, sciatic pain was worse than any pain I ever had. Looked for alternatives, finally went to an older chiropractor. He examined me, explained my unstable back, asked what I did at work and play, how I sat, how I slept, all the things I figured LATER the MD/Surgeon should have asked. Was told I had two choices, surgery and a loooong recovery, or exercise and physical thereapy, and a loooong recovery. I choose exercise and PT. Best decision I ever made. I can do anything I want, have full range of movement, no pain in years. As long as I do things properly (no running, for instance) sit correctly, lift correctly, etc., I can do almost everything.

[edler7]

I was talking to a woman last night- her son had this same surgery done in December. She said it took him about 10 weeks to recover, and he is back to doing what ever he wants. He's in his mid 30's.

As somebody that took x-rays for 30+ years, I've seen my share of trashed backs. Sometimes, they are so far gone that nothing is going to help much. I saw many people who had 3-4-5 surgeries and never got much better (sometimes worse). I never saw they guys that said "that back surgery was the best thing I ever had done", because they never needed me again. I know they are out there.

My advice- talk to your doctor. Find out their success rate with this type of surgery. Ask about alternatives. Find out how far gone he estimates your back is, and how close he estimates he can get you back to 100%. Talk to other people (maybe in his waiting room), see what they have to say about the doctor. Remember, if this doctor is a surgeon- the only way he/she knows how to make you better is to cut. Once you remove something from the body, it's very hard to put it back. There may be other options worth trying first, if they don't work....there is always surgery.

[tinsnips]

I had back surgery back in 1991,before I had the operation I would past out due to the pain beyond any thing I had ever dealt with before. The doctor would not fuse any of my spine he told me that was not a good thing, I had very bad damage done to my spine so he operated that day. The recovery was about 6-8 months no insurance so no PT just done everything on my own. My leg still burned [nerve damage] but within 2 years no more nerve problems , nerves heal themselves with time. I have been digging ditches physical work of all kinds [ I am a plumber ] since 1991 I am 57 years old an I think it was the best decision I could have made. Charley is right back pain can be the worst pain in the world good luck with your back.

[smokemjoe]

They wanted to pin my wifes spine with a pin, she waited and 1 year later had a gall bladder taken out and no more pain.

[sparky45]

Every situation is different, period. IF you have total faith and confidence in your Doctor(s) follow their advice to the letter. IF on the other hand you aren't sure about what to do seek additional information. Check with a Neurologist if you haven't already. Get him/her to show you the CT scan showing the problem area. IF the damaged area is extensive and doesn't show much chance of repairing itself through therapy then you have a couple of options: 1) Follow the advice of your Doctor(s) or 2) take your chances with PT/exercise and risk further damage or possible stabilization of the problem. Everyone who has posted above concerning their situation is good reading, but the bottom line is IT'S YOUR DECISION TO MAKE, I hope you are successful in your choices.

[opos]

I can only share what I've observed with my Wife....she had a lower lumbar laminectomy (not fusion) for stinosis. She also has had a multiple level cervical fusion with the plate (they went in through the neck). She has had a very good result based on her pain and disability and she and the doctor both credit much of her success to absolute following of the doctor's orders after surgery. We have a friend that had the back surgery (same thing) about the same time...he was bending and tying his shoes, lifting things over 5 pounds right away and otherwise ignoring his doc's advice because "it doesn't hurt"...now he's scheduled for more surgery and his doc said he may have permantely damaged his back beyond surgical help. I had a knee replaced and like the Wife..did exactly as told...never a problem since. Whatever you decide good luck

[Freightman]

Had surgery in '93 had shrapnel (bone) floating in spinal column, they never let me return to work, but my work was all very heavy lifting. It helped the pain but didn't cure it all, but I do about what I want if I am careful. Walking helps the pain and keeps me fit, but I was older and took early retirement so it all worked out. Had two disk removed and slipped seven more and went to PT and they wouldn't try it because of the bone fragments floating around said it could parilize me so surgery was my only option.

[Grandpas50AE]

I had C5 - C7 done 5 years ago, and they used cadaver bone instead of harvesting from my hip (I was glad of that because I had heard the hip hurt worse than the fused vertebrae). Only real pain afterward was the stiff neck muscles, which went away after the physical therapy got going and the muscles stretched back to their original limberness. Hope all goes well with yours.

[dbosman]

Depending on your age, a second or third opinion -from a spinal specialist MD- who isn't a surgeon, would be on my list.
Good luck and I hope you heal quickly.

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive been through 5 back surgurys myself so I understand your fears. Ive got 3 differnt freinds that went through the procedure your talking about, disc replacement not fusing. All 3 had terrible results. 2 of them had to have some of the parts they put in removed. The third is in worse shape. He had discs replaced in his neck. His pain levels are much higher then ever. Thing is they know those parts need to all come out but they cant for two reasons. First they had to remove bone to get them in and they cant put the bone back. Second is he was one of the first in the country to have them put in his neck and not a single surgeon in the US has taken them out of a neck so nobody will do it. One thing id be very careful with is discussing with your surgeon how much bone he will remove and if his parts do fail will they be able to come out and something else done to keep you out of a wheelchair. Id also ask him what other options there is other then the replacement. Then id go to another surgeon (not in the same town or hospital and ask him the same questions. DONT take this decission lightly. Its not like fusion surgerys like i had. Id hate to see you do something your going to regret10 years from now! By the way just so you dont think that these pour people just happened to get a pour surgeon, the doctor they used was the doctor that invented and patented those disc replacement parts. From what ive seen with it id have to be on my hands crawling to the doctor and eating pain meds like m&ms before theyd do it to me. Bottom line is disc replacement is alot more risky then fusing. My surgeon is a family friend. He told me before my surgury that the average patient has these odds. 1/3 will get better, 1/3 will stay about the same 1/3 will end up worse because of surgury. He also told me that being smoker about cut my odds in half on ever being fully recovered. He said if every one in the country quit smoking that the back problems in the US would about be cut in half.

[riorider]

I am in the same boat as 1911sw45 2006 had 2 orthoscopic repairs to L5 that both failed, then had L5 removed a cage installed two rods and 4 pins/screws installed. !.5 yrs off work a big fight with workers comp and a very painful life afterwards. Now have been diag with psoriatic arthritis 1.5 hrs fusions every 4-6 wks self injections once a week, old age and having the time of my life. NOT!

[deep creek]

herniated L4L5 in 1990 did therapy,told the doc theres two places you dont play with knifes on me my back is one.I still have some pain but glad they didnt cut.My uncle and my friends wife had metal put in and lived on pain meds finally had it taken out.One thing you might try that may surprize you is accupunture it can help.

[dagger dog]

My father had a spinal fusion in the lumbar region to correct sciatic nerve damage. His was done in1961, they did a bone graft from his own hip.

He was self employed as a farrier. Had a mandatory 18 month lay off, then wore an aluminum brace while working for 5 years. He finally threw the brace away and never had so much as another pain in his back. Worked at that back breaking trade for 40 years until he was 62 years old.

So it is possible to get relief but it's risky anytime you go under the knife.

[finstr]

I had back surgery 10yrs ago. I had sequestered (blown out) a disc between L4-L5 and the pain was unbearable with burning down the leg, felt like my toes were gonna blow off ! The surgeon just removed the material that had squirted into my spinal column and I've been good since. I'm 47 now.
Here's a book you should read. It really describes (in laymen's terms) what your back is doing and how it works. It's not a long read and it's worth the money.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Consultation-With-Back-Doctor/dp/0771037791/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366500351&sr=8-1&keywords=the+back+doctor

BTW, I had laid on my stomach for 5 weeks while my doctor waited to see if it would heal itself. It didn't so I went for surgery. 4 hours after the operation I was walking around the hospital at 3am with my butt exposed. The nurses thought I was crazy but the incision didn't hurt at all. It felt awesome just to walk again. I'm glad they didn't fuse my spine, but my problem may well be different than yours. Please read the book before making a decision. It's impossible to make good decisions based on bad information. I wish you well thru this, Ive been there.