Back Surgery

[WiSDoM]

Have any of you guys ever had back surgery?

I have a bulging disk with in annular tear in L5-S1 and it is pressing on my nerve root. So I will be going to see a neurosurgeon soon. Any input or info on any back surgery operation you guys have had would be helpful.

[PK]

Hi Wisdom,
I had a L3/L4 lapendectomy (???) in 1991 to remove bone spurs and take pressure off a bulging disc. Before the op, the surgeon said that the first thing I would notice when I woke up, would be the back and siatic pain would be gone.
He was right - never felt better.
12 years passed without any pain, then I started to wear out in other areas and faced fusion from L1 to L5 and all between.
I refused and finally found a physio that worked out what was really causing the problem. Lost weight and improved my core strength substantially, and no back pain anymore.

Every one, and every injury is different.
My only advice is to use surgery as a last resort, and shop around until you find a surgeon that you can relate to and trust. (If that is possible under your health system.)
Also, the younger, healthier, and fitter, you are before surgery, the quicker and easier the recovery.

Good luck.

PK

[rowhard]

Hi Wisdom,

I refused and finally found a physio that worked out what was really causing the problem. Lost weight and improved my core strength substantially, and no back pain anymore.

Good luck.

PK

core strength and weight loss is so important for back problems cures, not to say you have a weight problem. If you can stand it, Pilate,.... which is a bitch (Sorry) can do wonders for core strength, he who has a 50 inch waist says. :bwgr:

[Bulldoggie]

I had the L5 S1 disc surgery in '99
The pain was so bad, I had to crawl on all fours, to get around the house.
I had a Doctor that would only prescribe PT and Rx.
He treated me like an HMO client.
After a painful ordeal on the hard MRI table, I took the pictures directly to the Emergency room at Good Sam Hospital.
The MRI showed the disc Half way through the nerve. Even I could see that.
I had the surgery done by the head Neurologist.
He described the surgery as taking the disc out , trimming it down and putting it back.
I fired my old Doctor.
Recovery is slow, nerves heal about an inch per year, I was told.
I still remember the bizarre Sci-Fi dreams from lack of sleep, Pain, and Narcotics.
I ended up with a clump in my walk from not being able to control my right foot. that lasted about a month.
I think it was about 2 months before I returned to work. So I hope you have plenty of Sick Leave.
I don't want to scare you, but in my case, I wish I had it done years earlier.
If you need it , get R done.

BTW; I was in great shape at the time, not to discount the importance of staying fit.

[WiSDoM]

yeah i have done the PT route and the shot of cortizone, rhizotomy on my facet joints, MRI and a lot of vicodin, aleve, flexoril. Two weeks ago had a discogramm and it was very evident during and after that I would be a good canidate for surgery. I haven't worked now for over two months due to the economy in the housing market here. I lost one of my contractor because I was spending to much time going the doctor and due to my injury I am not able to work as fast or as much. What sucks is not I can't even seem to get a simple job like delivering pizzas. the job market here sucks unless you have a medical background. So after the surgey I think I will have to go back to college.

thanks for the input..

[dtruax]

My dad has had a couple of back surgeorys and offered to talk to you, all PM you his number if you want lol too much to type

[WiSDoM]

sure that would be cool thx.

[VXNIT]

Growth Hormone therapy following surgery really speeds recovery. Many locla bodybuilders who are friends used after surgery and even Dr.'s were amazed. My trainign partner of two years jsut had it done and he is pain free with mods to his training of course.

[LITTLELAURIE]

[quote=WiSDoM;149820]Have any of you guys ever had back surgery?

I have a bulging disk with in annular tear in L5-S1 and it is pressing on my nerve root. So I will be going to see a neurosurgeon soon. Any input or info on any back surgery operation you guys have had would be helpful.[/quote


I was in a horrific auto accident, July 27th. 2002. The pictures below, are of the car. (I was sitting in the passenger seat).
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/Picture_1336.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7300)http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/Picture_888.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7301)

I fractured my lower back, broke my sacrum and had discs that were herniated, (among other things).
Anyhow, the pain in my lower back was horrible! I had major back surgery, a year later. I had a fusion at L-5 & S-1 and rods & screws put in, as well as, a plate put in the front of my spine. This is what my spine looks like......
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/77/l_06f4c62bac0f382aa9893a727af7ff25.jpg

I can't say that this surgery helped to relieve my pain. I am actually more painful now, than before my back surgery! I have tried epidural-steroid injections, fentanyl patches, heavy duty pain pills,(All those did was make me go through HELL, almost ruining my life!

So, I am looking into having a Spinal Nerve, Stimulator, implant. I have heard that this is very successful in reducing pain!
Laurie

[LITTLELAURIE]

[quote=WiSDoM;149820]Have any of you guys ever had back surgery?

I have a bulging disk with in annular tear in L5-S1 and it is pressing on my nerve root. So I will be going to see a neurosurgeon soon. Any input or info on any back surgery operation you guys have had would be helpful.[/quote


Hi Wisdom! I was in a horrific auto accident, July 27th. 2002. The pictures below, are of the car. (I was sitting in the passenger seat).
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/Picture_1336.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7300)http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/Picture_888.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/forums/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7301)

I fractured my lower back, broke my sacrum and had discs that were herniated, (among other things).
Anyhow, the pain in my lower back was horrible! I had major back surgery, a year later. I had a fusion at L-5 & S-1 and rods & screws put in, as well as, a plate put in the front of my spine. This is what my spine looks like......
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/77/l_06f4c62bac0f382aa9893a727af7ff25.jpg

I can't say that this surgery helped to relieve my pain. I am actually more painful now, than before my back surgery! I have tried epidural-steroid injections, fentanyl patches, heavy duty pain pills,(All those did was make me go through HELL, almost ruining my life!

So, I am looking into having a Spinal Nerve, Stimulator, implant. I have heard that this is very successful in reducing pain!
Laurie

[ScottinMA]

Laurie,

Wow! You survived that??!! I have two 5 1/2 " Harrington rods in my lumbar compliments of a collision on a toboggan run in PA in the early 70s. Also will be using crutches for the foreseeable future. Check out Medtronics for their implant. Great reviews and a potential solution for you.

[LITTLELAURIE]

I barely survived that accident, Scott! Thank you, for the tip! I will look into it.
Thanks again!
Laurie

[Bulldoggie]

Laurie,
It looks like a very intrusive operation you've had.
From what I have heard. repete surgeries are more difficult due to scar tissue.
Providence Hospital has an aqua therapy class, and yoga classes might help.
Time is a big factor, nerve damage is slow to heal. The pain will go away with time, it just may be a long time. Hopefully you are still in control of your legs.
I am about ten years past my repair surgery, and I have had only two back pinches/spasms in that time. Yoga helps me a lot.
Good Luck with your recovery, Bill :)

[don moore]

i blew out a disc training.. in the 90s and had and had the disk bulge cut.I have to be careful what and how i pick up things...funny thing is the doc name was Hacker..lol
just be careful and know your limits

[LittleBeast]

My dad had a chip off of his spine pressing against his spinal cord, and his surgery just removed the loose particles and cleaned up the area, and his tingles, numbness, and pain were much better after the surgery, he still has to stay active and walk everyday to keep it loose or it will start to get worse.