Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advice from TNET Members

[DPBOB]

Contemplating getting Back Surgery
2 years of a great deal of pain. ( Pain Killers every day )
I have 2 disc that are degenerating L3 and L5
L5 is the worst
I have had 3 opinions and all have said about fusing the disc.
The last Doc said that L5 defiantly needs it.

Has anyone ever had their disc fused and if so what can I expect.

Healing time, Off of work time, long term results .

Good thing to do or a bad thing to do?

Are there other alternatives instead of fusing disc that anyone had done that may not be as evasive?

Scary thing to do so............

I would appreciate any input or advise.................... Thank You...................

 

[arizonaames]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

You will probably encounter bigger problems if you elect to have this done. You would be much better off losing some weight and exercising those muscles around the discs (ie:lower back). Along with Ibuprofen, you should be fine in time.....People are always looking for the easy way and end up wishing that they did not in the end.....

 

[EDDE]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

once they cut you you can never get what you lost back
maybe ending up worse then when you hadn't been cut
I dont know
Im sure you thought of that
sorry I got nothing

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

You should send a PM to Tnet member kindafoundabuckle. He had the same procedure done this fall, and he can fill you in on his experience.



Best Wishes,



Buckleboy

 

[Peerless67]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

I have the same problem at L5 and S1, been advised against the fussion.

I am hoping to get a second MRI scan on Feb 26th
Check out this link, they offer an alternative to fussion and the op is carried out under local.
A 3 millimeter incission and you can walk out an hour later. The guy I spoke to there was pretty confident they could help.



http://www.laserspineinstitute.com

If you do use them or contact them please tell them I sent you, maybe I will get a discount

Gary

 

[Lowbatts]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Well Bob you are not overweight, so that should not be a problem. Another 10 lbs off might make a little difference but you are otherwise fairly healthy and active, as much as you get out. The recovery is not all that pleasant but if it takes you will know very shortly.

I had the fusion done on my crushed neck, no options and I was losing funtctionality and reflexes. Declined it on my back because I had worked it out earlier in my life when it was a problem. But I did not have degenerative issues. I had injuries so good rehab was an option.

Those I know who have had the operation are split in their responses. Did the docs mention whether or not you will have to undergo it again in 5 or so years? In my case the doc said I should and would probably have to again in 5 years but I'm back up and fine right now.

Nothing wrong with a second opinion. Got my work done at St. Alexian. Where you looking at going? I would skip Loyola. The three nuerosurgeons there had less time combined than my doc at St. Alexian. Ask every Doc what his personal success rate is and go from there.

Good luck and get at it!

 

[bootybay]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

my hubby has degenerative disc disease, rheuthomid arthritis,narrowing of the spine. he had one fusion.. then he ended up with 5 more operations...now his entire neck is fused and has two metal plates in it.. would he do it again.. NO.. hes in worse pain now then when he had the first operation. he will be on pain meds till he dies. he's limited on his head mobility.. Once he had the first operation then the one above and below the fixed ones went...then they got fixed and the same happened again and again.. there is nothing left in his neck to fix now and hes in constant pain. so think long and hard on that surgery.. and good luck.

 

[MayberryMonte]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

I'm 59 years old.I had back lower back pain for 13 years before I had the L-3,L-4,L-5 fused 2 years ago this coming May. The reason I waited so long was because my doctor was not knife happy and wanted to try everything possible until "I" knew it was time. Over that course of time, I used Hydrocodones and Naproxens twice a day to help me get by. I got into power walking about 5 years ago, walking 6 to 8 miles a day and this really helped believe it or not. Gradually it continued to worsen to where I would have sciatica in my butt cheeks and down my legs. At this point, I started getting epidurals of steroids directly into the spine. They would give me 4 at a time, 2 on each side and this would help for about 3 or 4 months. To show you how bad the condition was, I actually was going to schedule the surgery 4 years ago so I had to have a new MRI and CT/DYE scan done so the doctor could plan out the operation. When we met to look at the results, the first thing he said was " I don't know how you're standing, much less walking 6 miles a day". the vertebra were shifted 18 mm. and were so compressed that the dye for the scan couldn't get through. The surgery didn't come off at that time because my father was diagnosed with bone cancer so I put it off for another year. The next year, I planned it again for the summer( I'm a teacher and have summers off ) but my wife had to have female surgery so I put it off again to take care of her. Finally, 2 years ago, I had the surgery. Keep in mind, every situation is different. During all this time, I did a lot of research on the internet about this type of surgery and got mixed results. Everything from low success rates to great results. Before the operation, the surgeon discussed the operation in detail and what to expect. Let me say here that I couldn't have had a better doctor. He has long hair, wears an earring and rides a Harley and never talks down to you like my doctors do. Anyway, the operation lasted 8 hours. They ( another doctor ) went in the front ( an incision from my navel to my goob ) and moved all my intestines over so the spine doctor could go in from the front to clean everything out from between the discs. On the way out, they fixed a navel hernia for me. Then they turned me over and fused the lower 3 discs and scacrum. This was done by placing cadiver bone between the discs to grow together with my own bone. They put 2 rods, 1 on each side, of my spine and inserted 8 screws and an anchor to hold it all together. He was able to give me the curve in my spine back and I gained a half inch in height. The recovery consisted of a day in ICU and then being moved into a room on the second day. They put compression cuffs on your legs to prevent blood clots and you have a morphine pump for pain which you can punch every 10 min. . They had me get up and walk twice a day. There was no solid food, just ice for 3 days. I stayed 5 days. My recovery has been great. I no longer have to take any pain meds unless I've over done it in my daily life. That first fall after the surgery, I cut and split about 30 cedar trees and built a split rail fence. I umpire high school sports and this past summer, I bought a sit-on-top kayak to bass fish out of. And now, I've gotten into metal detecting which involves a lot of bending and stooping as you well know. The only pain I have now is in the morning when I get up and an aspirin takes care of that. I still have flexibility and I couldn't be happier with the results. Just keep in mind what I said about every situation being different. I hope this helps. Email me if there's anything else you need. Good luck.

 

[EggyOG]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

I had 3 back surgeries on L4-L5. The last one was a fusion. Will it reduce mobility? Technically yes, in practicality no. The pain you currently endure restricts mobility more than the fused bone ever will. I prospect and rockhound and don't think twice anymore about carrying a hundred pounds on my back. The fusion gave me my life back.
I have had surgery by two different docs, and believe me when I say the doc makes the difference. If you are able, go to Milwaukee, WI for the surgery. Two of the best spinal specialists in the country do business there. The one for your situation would be Dr. Robbins at Milwaukee Spinal Specialists. His website appears to be down right now. You would spend about 4 days in the hospital (this includes therapy to get you up and moving again). Total recovery time is about 8 months until you feel completely better, about 2 months until you feel "functional". I had fusion done on Oct. 1st and was pheasant hunting on Oct. 16. I couldn't go all day, but I got a good couple of hours in. By late Nov. I was deer hunting all day (with a little down time midday laying flat on my back in the woods because sitting upright for hours was still a workout).
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Is it an easy way out? This is a statement from someone who probably considers giving birth an easy way out of pregnancy! Spines can break down to the point where they are no longer mechanically functional. This needs to be fixed. The lucky ones who have never done anything other than pull a muscle in their back seem to think that you can exercise and diet your way out of back problems. Would they tell a guy with a broken leg to lose weight and walk more?

 

[lafatlife]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Speaking from my own experience, I have very minimal disk space between L5 and S1 and only a little bit more between L4 and L5.

I injured my back when I was in my 20's and they did not want to do surgery on me then. I suffered for years. I couldn't sit for long or stand for long and when I tried to roll over in bed, I had to grab my shorts to help me do it.

When I got up in the morning I would have to sit on the bed for 5 minutes before I could stand and then another 5 before I could walk and stairs were horrendous!!

My initial injury of hyperextending my back happened in the military. I finally went to the VA Hospital and they sent me to the pain clinic. The Doctor I had was the best I have ever met! He told me that eventually my bones would fuse on their own and until then they didn't want to do and have me lose mobility.

What he did was a cryo-freeze proceedure on the nerves that surround the spine where my pain was. It was a painful proceedure but you are in and out the same day. My first one lasted only about 2 weeks but the second one is still going and that was about 9 or 10 years ago now.

From what I hear they use radio frequency now instead of the cold but I would ask that and if they think it would work for you. I would do it again in a heart beat even though I didn't have any anesthesia the second time. (They don't knock you out because they have to make sure they do not hit the nerves of your legs, it is just a local in your back.)

If you have any questions about it, pm me and I will give you more info.

Good Luck

 

[lastleg]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Bone fusion surgery in '95 gave me back my life. I lived with intense pain
from sciatica that never let up the year previous. Now I don't need meds
to function. I'm nearly 70 now and can pick up heavies without worry.
Choose a doc that does this procedure for a living and check his success
rate if possible. lastleg

 

[capt1989]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

From what I hear they use radio frequency now instead of the cold but I would ask that and if they think it would work for you. I would do it again in a heart beat even though I didn't have any anesthesia the second time. (They don't knock you out because they have to make sure they do not hit the nerves of your legs, it is just a local in your back.)

I have an Aunt, a cousin and a nephew all with back problems. The aunt and cousin opted for surgery. The aunt has pretty much been bed ridden since the surgery about 10 years ago and the cousin is addicted to pain meds because the surgery didn't help. My nephew tried several different things and ended up with the radio waves or "white noise" device implanted in his back. This happened within the last 2 weeks so we are not sure of the results yet. It appears that he is feeling better physically but is hurting from the surgery itself still. My aunt and cousin both live in Louisiana and they had the surgery there. My nephew lives in Arkansas and had his surgery there. I personally take Doctors opinions with a grain of salt because they usually stand to profit big time from the surgery they recommend that you have. Sometimes there are other much cheaper and less intrusive options. What ever you decide, I wish you well and hope it works for you.

john

 

[DPBOB]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Thank You all so far....
It's a tough decision..,
I still would like to hear some more...
I'm 48 and only 180Lbs
so far most say it's not bad and the end result is good

How long for the recovery is my problem.

 

[diggemall]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

My wife had 4 lumbar discs fused in Nov 2006 - no choice - she shattered one completely and fractured another in a fall. She is on maintenance doses of Fentanyl for the persistent pain, with percocets for days when it gets unbearable. Physical therapy has helped some, but, in all liklihood she will live with some degree of persistent pain for the rest of her life. We had to trade our truck camper for an RV so she could get up and move around while we travel because she cannot remain seated for extended periods. Otherwise, she is basically 95% functional - mostly just cannot lift heavy stuff, especially if its an "off-balanced" load.

Her situation is definately not the same as yours, but thought I'd put her experience in here as well.

Diggem'

 

[Lowbatts]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Good luck Bob,
Like eggy says, your choice of Doctor is critical. The operation is not the same for everyone primarily because everyone uses different doctors. That's unfortunately why they call them medical "practitioners".

 

[MayberryMonte]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

In my previous post I didn't say much about the recovery time because I had 2 months off in the summer before I went back to teach so time wasn't a factor for me. If I'd had to go back sooner, I could have gone in 3 weeks. The key to recovery is to keep moving so you don't get stiff. The only therapy they gave me was to tell me to walk as much as possible. When you exercise, the brain will release natural endorphines which act as pain medicine. Write down all your concerns and pin your doctor down for answers. A lot of times they will give you the worse case senerio to cover themselves, so they can say " I told you this might happen". But like I said before, every case is different.

 

[Falcon]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

Get multiple 2nd opinions from MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. Because surgery is a science, working some times and not at other times, personal opinions will fluctuate. So, research, research, and research before making that final decision. Good luck!

 

[lastleg]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

The type "fusion" I had with a 3 week recovery was using my own tissue,
not metals. They took a small piece of bone from the pelvis and ground
it up to make the compound to put around the damaged discs. Therfore
there was no rejection. Ask your doctor if this type fusion is appropriate
for you. I would be very hesitant to put screws in your body until you
explore every alternative. lastleg

 

[deepskyal]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

I personally haven't had surgery on my back but I did have a friend that had 2.

He was young and fit, except for his back.

His first surgery didn't "take" whatever that means. It neither stopped him from doing what he used to do nor crippled him. It was as tho he never had surgery at all. And his recovery was only a few weeks.

He was scheduled for a second surgery but ended up moving out of state before I knew what happened.

So...like anything....it depends on the doctor, the style of surgery, etc.etc.

I'm with those that say..."get another opinion"

I did have an old neighbor once that was virtually crippled from back issues. He had surgery.
Now keep in mind...he was probably in his 70's when he had his surgery.

He walked completely stooped over after his surgery...I mean he couldn't straighten up to look you in the face......but his alternative.....no movement at all.
I saw him in a restuarant with his wife and she had to tell him who I was because he couldnt look up to see my face...just my shoes.

I thought it was sad..but again...he seemed satisfied with just being able to get around again.

I had major surgery once......

When the Doc told me.."When I come back for surgery on my other lung..."
I told him I'd drop dead first. Wasn't an experience I'd ever want to go thru again....but here I am, 10 years after...still breathing....

Did I need the surgery...yes...could I have put it off for 10 years...? How long can I go before my other lung blows?

One day at a time......

Surgery is a very personal decision. I wish you luck what ever you decide.

Al

 

[johnnycat]

Re: Back Surgery--- Need some good input and advise from TNET Members

We are all different. Choose your doctor carefully and make your decision on what you and your doctor feel is the right thing. Not on anything else. Good Luck.