Back surgery

[sears]

Anyone on here have back surgery? How long was your recovery and any advice. I'm 28 and have the option to have it or keep going to therapy which is not working.

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[inchspinner]

jmo...grt it done now you could be hutched over at 40...my .02...

[whunter29]

What kind of back surgery? I had it at age 26 when I couldn't walk anymore. I had fusion of L3, L4.

[jchief]

What are they wanting to do. A fusion or artificial disc? what level and how many levels? What is your pain level?

[sears]

Fusion of L3/4, pain level is 8 most days, about 5 medicated which I hate taking

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[mikedatiger]

Originally Posted by sears

Fusion of L3/4, pain level is 8 most days, about 5 medicated which I hate taking

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Have you tried injections, or radiofrequency treatment? The radiofrequency at least stopped the sciatica pain. Back continues to seize, but I want to put off the surgery for as long as possible...

[whunter29]

Is pain going down into your toes and where your foot meets your leg. My advice to you would be to ask around and find the very best doctor you can. Also the longer you put off the surgery the more likely nerve damage will become perment. My recovery time was about 11/2 years. That being said I had surgery during the last week in sept and I was able to go hunting in oct. I couldn't climb or pickup anything over ten pounds. It has been six plus years since my surgery and I don't regret having it. Also if you think you hurt now wait till after surgery my doctor asked me if I felt like I had been run over by a train. I would strongly recommend following your doctors advice to a T and when he tells you to walk 1 mile a day to do it.

[jchief]

What Micah said first and foremost.

2nd opinion. Then what what Hunter said

[sears]

Yes I have pain there but from a motorcycle accident where I tore some tendons there, but my right leg stays numb. I haven't tried injections or radio treatment.

I guess my main concern is what to do to not miss much work as I can't really afford that. I can get away with not lifting but I do a lot of walking and sitting.

Jude I remember when you sold me the boat you mentioned you had back surgery? Maybe the xpress got me too lol
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[mikedatiger]

Originally Posted by sears

Yes I have pain there but from a motorcycle accident where I tore some tendons there, but my right leg stays numb. I haven't tried injections or radio treatment.

I guess my main concern is what to do to not miss much work as I can't really afford that. I can get away with not lifting but I do a lot of walking and sitting.

Jude I remember when you sold me the boat you mentioned you had back surgery? Maybe the xpress got me too lol
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Any good surgeon should try all options from least invasive to most invasive. I have a herniated/degenerative disc at L5/S1. Not wanting to stay on pain meds, it was recommended that I try the injections, then move to the radio frequency treatment. Each procedure is outpatient and you're back at work the next day. I still have back pain, but the radiofrequency treatment at least makes life tolerable without meds.

I haven't had the surgery, but as Salty said, once you do, you can't undo it. I do know people that have had fusions and after a few years they have had to have additional fusions.

My brother-in-law is an orthopedic in BR, and there is a great spine guy in his practice. Let me know if you need a referral.

[wetaline]

I had 2 back surgeries. The first was a partial laminectomy. It didn't work. The 2nd was a fusion at L4, L5. Didn't work either. I would definitely try therapy first. Injections worked for a time. I also have my own TENS unit I use when it gets really bad. Be really careful if you're having numbness. Like they said, the nerve damage can become permanent, so you don't want to wait too long. One good thing, I don't feel when the insects are biting when we're fishing!! I have to watch my husband to see if they're biting him. I have friends that have had great success with surgery, so if you need it just find the best doc you can and go for it. Good luck!!!!!!

[Salty]

3 of the 5 discs in my lumbar are ruptured. I've posted here before that surgeons have said that there is a 50% chance that my pain will be less with surgery, but, there's a 50% chance that it'll be worse. Frankly, I know what I have to deal with every minute of my life as it is now. Therefore, those odds of it being worse is not a chance I'm willing to take.

[wetaline]

I know what you mean, Salty. I'm in a lot of pain most days, but I've learned to live with it and adjusted my life accordingly. I don't want to go in for more now because like you, I am able to get around now and still fish and hunt. Can't walk long distances anymore but I can still walk. It's all in how you want to function and how much pain you can handle. You'd be surprised how your mind can adjust to an elevated pain level for years!!! It just becomes a part of your life. I'm just happy to be able to do things with my family.

[swamp snorkler]

Originally Posted by mikedatiger

any good surgeon should try all options from least invasive to most invasive. I have a herniated/degenerative disc at l5/s1. Not wanting to stay on pain meds, it was recommended that i try the injections, then move to the radio frequency treatment. Each procedure is outpatient and you're back at work the next day. I still have back pain, but the radiofrequency treatment at least makes life tolerable without meds.

I haven't had the surgery, but as salty said, once you do, you can't undo it. I do know people that have had fusions and after a few years they have had to have additional fusions.

My brother-in-law is an orthopedic in br, and there is a great spine guy in his practice. Let me know if you need a referral.

i have the same problem in the same place....you ever tried a wobble chair.....works for me? I also stretch as much as possible.

[bjhooper82]

PM rigratnomeaux. Hes had more than his share of surgery.

[jchief]

Actually, no "back" surgeries. Have had 4 cervical fusions. Now have 2 bad disc in lower back and a bad right hip.

Talk to your neuro about time off work. He should be able to give you an estimate.

Love that Xpress, but it was rough. LOL

Ask your doc about the artificial disc instead of a fusion. And find a doc that is up on the latest technology.

[Salty]

One thing to remember about surgery...there is no guarantee and you cannot go back to the way it was.

Good luck.

[Tex Dawg]

I was in therapy for 2 years & saw a lot of back issues in that time. I can tell you is that the people who had a neuro do their surgery were back to work a lot faster than the ones that had an ortho do their surgery, in most cases those people had multiple surgeries on their backs.

[Ray]

I tried the decompression thing. Stopped the pain in my leg. Not my back.
Did the injections and radio frequency for about 10 years. Helped for a time, but pain always came back.
Finally after about 12 or 13 years of pain and barely able to get around, my left leg from the knee down became numb and I couldn't do much with my foot.
Went to neurosurgeon and was very pleased with the results. Still have pain when I stand too long, carry something heavy or bend over too long, but I can do things now. At one time, all I did was lay down till it hurt, sit down till it hurt, then lay down again. Pain pills didn't work for me.
My pain management doctor recommended a good neurosurgeon. Said not to do any kinda fusion surgery that will restrict motion.
When you have a fusion, the disc above it will eventually go bad, and so on up the spine.
At the time of my surgery about 3 years ago, there was not an artificial disc replacement for the lower back, but there was one for the neck.
I was out of work for about 2.5 months.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Ray

I tried the decompression thing. Stopped the pain in my leg. Not my back.
Did the injections and radio frequency for about 10 years. Helped for a time, but pain always came back.
Finally after about 12 or 13 years of pain and barely able to get around, my left leg from the knee down became numb and I couldn't do much with my foot.
Went to neurosurgeon and was very pleased with the results. Still have pain when I stand too long, carry something heavy or bend over too long, but I can do things now. At one time, all I did was lay down till it hurt, sit down till it hurt, then lay down again. Pain pills didn't work for me.
My pain management doctor recommended a good neurosurgeon. Said not to do any kinda fusion surgery that will restrict motion.
When you have a fusion, the disc above it will eventually go bad, and so on up the spine.
At the time of my surgery about 3 years ago, there was not an artificial disc replacement for the lower back, but there was one for the neck.
I was out of work for about 2.5 months.

Ray, the decompression table got rid of the pain down my leg but not in my back. I guess it did move the disc enough so it wasn't rubbin'. Sure made a difference.