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lower back surgery

D

daniel49

Diamond Member
Disc degeneration and buldgeing disc, doctor says may help to fuse it. Have you seen results from this good or bad. contemplating surgery.
thx
dan
 
I've heard bad things about major back surgery in general, but then again, if it didn't work well on most people they probably wouldn't do it... would they?
 
Originally posted by: AbAbber2k
I've heard bad things about major back surgery in general, but then again, if it didn't work well on most people they probably wouldn't do it... would they?
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well I believe the odds he gave me were 65% report improvement/less pain, 33% same, 1-2% worse.
 
Surgery should be the absolute last resort. Surgery may solve the problem in the short term, but it creates scar tissue and may lead to other problems in the future.

I have problems with three discs in my lower back. At the end of 2003, I had three bulging discs and my spine was literally shoved sideways from the pressure of the discs. I could not stand straight, could hardly walk, and was in a lot of pain. Sitting was completely out of question.

I went to a doctor. He gave me muscle relaxers and vicodin and told me to enjoy my life and have surgery when I felt I needed to.
I went to a physical therapist. He helped some, but not much. He taught me how to strengthen the muscles in my lower back so there would be less pressure on my discs.

Finally, I tried a chiropractor. I was extremely skeptical. Best thing I ever did! My back is now in better shape than it's been in at least five years. I can lift things, sit, run, etc. Surgery is no longer, "something to strongly consider". He's also a vitalist so I've learned a bunch about eating better and really taking care of myself. I feel better than I have in years.

The body is an amazing healing machine, better than any drug or surgery, if it's given the correct input and care.

I recommend you keep surgery as a last resort and try everything else you can first. Your body will thank you.
 
Can you walk?

I had a ruptured disc and had terrible pain running down into my leg. I could barely walk for 3mos. I had a laminectomy where they remove a small part of the spine and the bulging disc.

Fusion is much more serious. With every subsequential back surgery your success rate goes down 50%. Just make sure you need it before you have it. It took me over a year to recover and I was never the same. At least I can walk.

BTW- Chiropractor screwed me up. Didn't have a back spasm for over 10yrs after surgery- went to chiro on recommendation of MD and my back went into spasm after 8mos of treatment. Chiropracty is a complete scam.
 
Get three or four opinions from different Doctors first. Had a coworker do it and is in just as much pain as before but now with less mobility.
 
Originally posted by: WagBTW- Chiropractor screwed me up. Didn't have a back spasm for over 10yrs after surgery- went to chiro on recommendation of MD and my back went into spasm after 8mos of treatment. Chiropracty is a complete scam.
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Like all professions, there are bad and there are good. Find a good one and you'll realize the difference.

 
Originally posted by: DAGTA
Originally posted by: WagBTW- Chiropractor screwed me up. Didn't have a back spasm for over 10yrs after surgery- went to chiro on recommendation of MD and my back went into spasm after 8mos of treatment. Chiropracty is a complete scam.
Click to expand...
Like all professions, there are bad and there are good. Find a good one and you'll realize the difference.
Click to expand...

There is no scientific evidence chiropracty makes a difference. In fact, there is more
evidence to the contrary. After thousands of dollars and months of watching desperate people (this guy did dogs too) limp into the chiropractor's office, I learned my lesson.

Quackwatch.org is a pretty interesting website.
 
Originally posted by: Wag
Can you walk?

I had a ruptured disc and had terrible pain running down into my leg. I could barely walk for 3mos. I had a laminectomy where they remove a small part of the spine and the bulging disc.

Fusion is much more serious. With every subsequential back surgery your success rate goes down 50%. Just make sure you need it before you have it. It took me over a year to recover and I was never the same. At least I can walk.

BTW- Chiropractor screwed me up. Didn't have a back spasm for over 10yrs after surgery- went to chiro on recommendation of MD and my back went into spasm after 8mos of treatment. Chiropracty is a complete scam.
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yes, I am walking fine 2 months off work, 2 months standing at work doing nothing.
bone spurs in upper back that he says he can't do anything for.
Going to try fazing back into my regular job tonight 4 hours at a time and see if I can take it. If I can't then surgery is the option I guess? never had much luck with chiropractors either. Some feel there worthless others swear they walk on water?

 
My best friend's wife just had a fusion done for degenerative disks.

If you're fairly young, see if you can't hold out longer. I believe the FDA has approved or will be approving soon artificial replacement disks to replace ruptured ones.
 
Originally posted by: daniel49
yes, I am walking fine 2 months off work, 2 months standing at work doing nothing.
bone spurs in upper back that he says he can't do anything for.
Going to try fazing back into my regular job tonight 4 hours at a time and see if I can take it. If I can't then surgery is the option I guess? never had much luck with chiropractors either. Some feel there worthless others swear they walk on water?
Click to expand...
Try another doctor. I assume you're seeing a orthopedic surgeon? Try seeing a neurosurgeon, or vice-vera. Depending upon the hospital you go to they might direct you to either. If you have a bulging/rupture then a neuro-surgeon would probably treat you.

I went to a local Orthopedic surgeon over a 3mos period and he would load me up on muscle-relaxants and gave me some massage therapy. Every month I'd come back and he'd say, "You're not better? Why not?" After 3 mos of that nonsense I went to a big local hospital and saw a neuro-surgeon. He saw me walk around the room and scheduled me for surgery immediately.
 
More back surgery=bad.

I know plenty of people with chronic back pain and multiple failed surgeries. 1 was plenty for me.
 
Originally posted by: X-Man
My best friend's wife just had a fusion done for degenerative disks.

If you're fairly young, see if you can't hold out longer. I believe the FDA has approved or will be approving soon artificial replacement disks to replace ruptured ones.
Click to expand...

they already have been approved by the FDA. My doctor says the last time he approached my Insurance with it they refused... saying it was still experimental, (this was for someone else who had my carrier)
 
My pops was mowing the lawn and slipped a disc. Delt with the pain for 2 years. SLiced er open and repaired disc and pushed into place. DOcotr accidenaly punctured disc while moving it. WOke up and couldnt feel legs. WTF goes back in within 30 mins and docotr sees an un-inflated disc. So he cleaned er out and sent my dad on his way. My father has only a piece of his disc left, and only has %40 feeling below the waist. Deal with it, do all the non invasive you can, then maybe if you MUST, then go for it.
 
One day I came home from school and my dad was on the floor in terrible pain. This happened about once a year and he was pretty miserable. It started in WWII when he fell off the wing of a plane he was fixing.

This time though, it didn't stop and finally he had to have surgery. Two weeks later, he went back to work and never had a problem again.

It does work sometimes.
 
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