back surgery

[BOOYAH]

Has anyone of you ever had back surgery, fusing discs or partial removal of a herniated disc?

It looks like i'm going to have one soon and was just wondering what to expect if anyone has any experiences in this.

thanks.

[Fatman1267MM]

I am sure the surgery is better now than when I had mine 16 years ago.  I had a herniated L5.  I was only 15 years old at the time.  It took about 7 or 8 years to feel truly comfortable doing whatever I wanted.  The key was that I was only 15, I didn't really work hard at my rehab(they didn't really give me anything to do but walk, seriously, what a joke!), and it just prolonged my FULL recovery.  If you have any questions PM me or e-mail me.

[skillet]

Booyah,

 I hurt my back really bad in my late 20's or early 30's and tried everything to stay away from surgery for way too long. By the time I found a Dr. that I trusted and he talked me into it , I had almost crippled my right leg. The nerves and everything were pinched that bad. They had to get me to the hospital from the Dr. office in a wheel chair.

 The good part was having complete relief the next morning after surgery. The bad part was it only lasted about 5 yrs. This time the small broken pieces were so free floating that they moved and it set up in my left side.

 The Dr. considered me so tall and long bodied (6'4")  that he wouldn't do any fusing and basically just removed all the broken pieces. I am thankful for that! The way I understand it is if you have a fusion you have a place in your back that remains straight when you bend. I guess like a rod that has a bad place in it.

 I'm almost 58 now and haven't had any problems with my back since, except overworking or really bending wrong which can happen with anyone.

 After that long winded reply, I couldn't say yea or nae to someone looking at the same problem. Over the years, I have heard so many different stories and different endings for the same thing.

 Sorry, if I haven't been of much help. If you think of anything you want to ask, don't hesitate to write.

 Wishing you the best of luck !!

                                                                          As Ever,

                                                                            Skillet

[BOOYAH]

Yea i've heard horror stories too, kinda makes me not want to get it. But i'm in the same position (pinched nerves).  They put cages inbetween the discs they take out, and the doc said it will not impair my mobility at all. ofcourse this is hard to believe...but if i do the minor surgery just to remove the part thats pinching the nerve, he says my leg will feel better but not my back. Having a hard time talking myself into doing this....its gonna put me outta work for about 5 months and everything. Not to mention NO FISHING!!  :-[

lol.

They have the latest an greatest technology now but it still makes me nervous.

[Guest avid]

My wife had a ruptured disc.  She was in pain for months, refusing to see a neurologist.

It became so bad that she could barely walk.

She had the surgery in New York City, on Sept 12, 2001 by the way.  Talk about wierd, but that's another story.

The surgeon told me he removed a single piece of broken disc a little smaller than a dime.

She was fine after the recovery period and is still doing well in that regard.

good luck

[bassin_man]

I seriously injured my back during high school in football.  Went through alot of rehab.  While I haven't had surgery I still get back pain quit often.  I am hoping I don't need surgery ever but its definately feeling like I am going that way.

[Gatorbassman]

A spinal fusion is a serious surgery and shouldn't be taken lightly. I am glad to see you aren't doing that.

There is risk but it is a common surgery and the advances over the years have been outstanding. Ask your doctor how many of these procedures he has done personally. Not assisted but actually done. Make sure he has experience in it. Make sure you a comfortable with the dr. and make sure he is going to be the one doing the surgery and not just overseeing it. If they say they are going to try some new type of wonderful implant say NO! Unless he has done one before.

It is always better to get it done before things get more complicated but know that the recovery can be hard. If they prescribe Physical Therapy then make sure you do it and complete it. Your back will remind you that you had the surgery for many years to come but look at the alternative. You could be in a wheelchair if you don't get it done.

[Jerkbate]

In August of 2006 I injured my back while moving deer stands. I thought I had just pulled a muscle, and that is what the docters I saw both thought. Well I dealt with the pain until I could not walk, I couldn't lay flat, & I couldn't sit up. For two months I lived on Loritabs, and I would literally cry everytime I had to move very much. I got in to see another doctor the end of September, and he was ready to send me to a back specialist for surgery. Come to find out, I had a herniated disc. Because I had let it go for so long my L3 & L4 had starting fusing together with the nerve crushed going down my right leg. I had my reservation about the surgery even though I was in immense pain. A fellow I work with suggested that I see a chiroprator. I was skeptical but went. I started chiropractic treatment the first of October. After taking treatment through the month I was almost pain free. I was even able to go on a hunting trip in Southern Illinois the second week of Nov. 2006. I hunted from a stand and had no problem climbing the hills. After returning from my trip, I continued with treatments through the end of November. I have recovered and am able to do everything I could before without ever having surgery. I am a college instructor so I'm on my feet all day.  I haven't had any problems at all.  I suggest that before you take the risk of surgery find a reliable chiropractor. You won't regret it. It's a lot less expensive too.

[BOOYAH]

I've been seeing a chiropractor for almost a year now for this. Its alot better than when it happened thats for sure, i couldn't walk or hardly stand when it first happened. Buts even the chiro has seen its not getting better beyond the point i'm at now. I have put it off for this long because i don't want to be out of work, but looks like i have no choice anymore because of the nerve has been pinched for so long now.

I am really mad because the insurance has jerked me around for so long now and its just about time to go back for spring work, and if they would have cooperated in the first place i would have had all winter to heal. But thats how it always seems to work for me.

thanks for the input guys, it makes me feel a little bit better but still unsure.

[lunchbox508]

I havent had it because im only 16but my aunt just had her back fused about 3 months ago and this is the second time. It supposably is going to hurt really bad and my dad has also had a reptured disk in his neck and has had discs fused in his back and know he can forecast the weather. Mostly because of the low pressure because that is when it really hurts the most . Good luck and hope it doesnt hurt to bad.

[Sam]

Booyah,

My wife has had one neck and three back surgeries and she is doing fine.

The doctor would not operate on her back until he repaired her neck which he did using a cadaver bone.

Then, he went in and cleaned out the spinal column.

That was not the solution, so he went back in and fused and pinned levels 6 and 7 together.

The screws did not set correctly, as shown on the X-Rays right after the surgery, so they went back in the following day to correct the problem.

Recovery was very difficult and slow.

Today, her left leg still gets numb and she cannot walk for a long period of time but she is very much better since having the surgery.  The back pain is gone, totally, which is a blessing.

So go for the fix but remember, the recovery will not be fun.

[justfishin]

Good luck on your surgery and your recovery. I cannot express enough to always get a second opinion when considering surgery involving your vertebrae, and maybe even a third opinion. Spinal fusion should be a last resort effort to solve a back problem. Ruptured or herniated disc problem solving has come a long way over the past 20 years and with physical therapy and adapting your mechanics to fit a post surgery lifestyle you can lead a perfectly normal life with only some changes. Stick with your physical therapy until the end. It will help you adapt, inform you and help to strengthen the muscles in your back.

[Jerkbate]

I am really mad because the insurance has jerked me around for so long now and its just about time to go back for spring work, and if they would have cooperated in the first place i would have had all winter to heal. quote]

You definitely have to take it easy and let it heal.  If you can't do this nothing is going to help.  Also, you may want to try another chiropractor.  I have definitely found that some are better than others.  I know some people who have had surgery gone bad.  I would try anything before I went to surgery.

[skillet]

Booyah,

 Everyone that has replied has made some good points. Make sure of your decision and your Dr. If and when you go ahead with it remember the rehab and physical thereapy is very important. They are both a pain but not anything like what you are going thru. I got almost religious about the thereapy, exercises and did serious walking every day.

 I waited so long that the sciatic nerve had started changing color and was schriveling. My shoulder and right leg was pulling towards my waist. I was beginning to look like Quasimodo. If that nerve stays pinched long enough, you lose control of the ability to raise your foot when you walk.

 Remember that if you want to talk or just vent, one of us is usually always here. GOOD LUCK my friend....

                                                            As Ever,

                                                             Skillet