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I had nucleoplasty years ago.. it's minor surgery, but while it helps some, it won't help others. It seemed to help me in the beginning but blew my disk out worst in the end. When I decided to have surgery I was in so much pain, meds couldn't touch it.
I was then fused (L5 S1) using an LT-CAGE with no rods. Eventually, I felt like I was feeling metal rubbing bone with every step I took. I found another doctor that ended up putting rods in. I've been like this for over a year and it looks like they may have to take the rods out because they are bothering me.
If I had to start from scratch, I would go straight to Stenum Hospital in Germany, Looking at Artificial Disc Replacement; last time I checked, they were using a better model then what is available here. They will also do more then one level. I've met someone that had it done there, 3 levels. She was walking great & was 9 months out of surgery.
Most people I know that have had their backs fused are in the same shape as me, left with just as much or more pain then before.
Can anyone help me? I got injured at my job bartending. I had a slip and fall in 2002 which herniated l4/l5 and then 1/2007 a co-worker hit me so hard on my back that I herniated l5/s1. Because of a work. comp. case I am not able to get a 2nd opinion. Even if I pay for it myself. My doctor is Dr. Charles A. Finn in St. Petersburg, FL, has anyone heard of him and his background? because I have had these issues since 2002, he said that i must have surgery because my back has gotten signicantly worse from 3/2007 until now mri results.
Even my primary, who I have been going to for 7 years, says that is it true and that I need to do it sooner than later. I am so scared and do not know what to do. I am trying to as much research as possible. I have had 4 rounds of p/t and the steriod injustions made my worse. Does any one have advise? My surgeon inisists that I will be able to live a more productive life with spine fusion surgery.
I am now taking tranquilizers to even deal with the memo about back surgery
Also, I am a woman of color (Brazilian) and I heard that people of color tend to scar more is that true? My doctor doesn't seem to think so.
Last edited by pebblesflorida; 12-08-2007 at 07:58 AM..
Reason: additional verbage
I will be haveing a laminectomy on Friday 2/29/2008 and I am scared. In 2000 I lost three fingers on my right hand and had numerous surgeries, but this one really scares me. Any suggestions?
This Friday I am having a laminectomy with possible instrumentation, and some other things the dr rold me, I am scared out of my mind!! In 2000 I lost three fingers on my right hand and had numerous surgeries. This one scares me any suggestions?
I had that surgery at L5-S1 in 2003. Make sure your surgeon is a board certified neurosurgeon ABNS.org or board certified ortho spine surgeon (this is very, very, very important) American Board of Spine Surgery . Poor surgical technique can cause excess scar tissue (you will get scar tissue no matter what, but poor technique can cause a lot more). Scar tissue can result in excess pain after surgery. Most people do very well with this surgery (provided you do not smoke after surgery(if you smoke)). Funny how smoking affects so many parts of the body.
I had that surgery at L5-S1 in 2003. Make sure your surgeon is a board certified neurosurgeon ABNS.org or board certified ortho spine surgeon (this is very, very, very important) American Board of Spine Surgery . Poor surgical technique can cause excess scar tissue (you will get scar tissue no matter what, but poor technique can cause a lot more). Scar tissue can result in excess pain after surgery. Most people do very well with this surgery (provided you do not smoke after surgery(if you smoke)). Funny how smoking affects so many parts of the body.
I agree with this advice. If it is any consolation laminectomies are fairly routine. Make sure that your surgeon does his/her fair share of these. Follow all of the pre and post op instructions to a "T". You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please post afterwards and let us know how you are.
Sunsch9, I'll be straight-up with you -- back surgery is painful, but I decided to have the surgery (L4-5/S1 back in 2000) when I understood that if I continued to postpone it, I ran a risk of having the sciatica forever.
I was tired of hurting.
For me, the worst part was initially following the surgery. I was up and walking the next day, and by day 3, I was headed home. It took about two weeks to not wince when I moved around, and by four weeks, I was feeling pretty good. I began seeing the physical therapist in the DR's office, and that helped -- simple exercises to loosen things up a little and strengthen the muscles that had been cut.
The DR told me that within a year's time, I would have no reminders from the back troubles or the surgery, and he was right. I felt normal again, and have done well since.
Make sure you have an expert surgeon -- do your homework to find one. My husband drove me two hours from home to the one considered the best in our state, but we also looked at a DR in the state next door. Like someone else said, follow the DR's directions explicitly. You will probably need some help around the house for awhile -- my instructions were not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk.
Hope it goes well. It IS scary, but manageable, and so well worth the ultimate relief you'll get.
I have a herniated disc L4, L5, S1. I have had surgery twice on the same area and having MRI tomorrow. My doctor believes it is herniated again. What are the chances of this happening? Has anyone had this before? How dangerous is it to have surgery a third time? Can someone offer me some advice? I have tried PT and inversion table, heat, cold, I have tried it all. I cannot stand this pain. Someone please help.
My husband just lifted his leg to put on a sock this morning and something snapped in his lower back.We have not been to the doctor yet,mostly because he could barely move today.EXTREME pain in any position,Advil didn't do much for the pain.He couldn't sit,stand or lay, without really,really hurting.I felt helpless!We iced it,and then he took a hot shower which seemed to loosen it up and give alittle relief.I'm assuming it is a disk problem from what I researched.Anyone go through this,and what was your outcome?
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Lumbar laminectomy
Laminectomy surgery
