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Old 09-11-2019, 03:45 PM
 
Location: South Jersey
79 posts, read 81,363 times
Reputation: 367

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67 yr old male... sharp pain in lower right back and sciatica in right knee, usually when standing/walking..need to sit every few minutes to take pressure off pinched nerve in lower right lumbar region. Only mild pain when sitting or sleeping on side. Can ride bike/go to gym with only mild/moderate pain.

MRI finds stenosis and disc herniation with effect on exiting L3 and L4 nerves, causing the pain when standing/walking and also sciatica in right knee.

Ortho surgeon didn't want to operate, saying it would require several levels of fusion, and existing spine arthritis was complicating factor. 2nd opinion: Neurosurgeon said no problem, do fusion surgery!

Have had 2 injections did nothing. Physical therapy did nothing. Ibuprofen doesn't help much at all.

Don't want surgery,, not crazy about having nerves fried with RFA. What do you advise? Live with sharp pain when walking/standing the rest of my life? Be glad I can sleep/sit/ride back, when compared to other back pain victims who rely on strong drugs to live day to day?
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Old 09-11-2019, 05:00 PM
 
713 posts, read 442,233 times
Reputation: 1614
If I were you, I’d have the RFA first before surgery. The more levels you have fused, the worse your outcome for surgery will be. I had a 8 level fusion 12 years ago, and it increased my pain 10 fold. I wish someone had told me about the RFA before my surgery. I am now disabled.

How many levels do they want to fuse?
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Old 09-11-2019, 05:53 PM
 
Location: South Jersey
79 posts, read 81,363 times
Reputation: 367
Probably 2... also, RFA, like epidurals, is just a temporary fix since the nerves eventually grow back. This pain only arose three years ago.. I was never a bodybuilder, don't know why spinal stenosis and disc degeneration all of a sudden became a major pain in the butt!
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Old 09-11-2019, 06:04 PM
 
17,484 posts, read 38,915,282 times
Reputation: 24138
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbseer View Post
Probably 2... also, RFA, like epidurals, is just a temporary fix since the nerves eventually grow back. This pain only arose three years ago.. I was never a bodybuilder, don't know why spinal stenosis and disc degeneration all of a sudden became a major pain in the butt!
I have this also, but pain and issues come and go for me. Had back problems all my life and now 70 y.o. I would recommend yoga and stretching, even hanging from a pullup bar to help decompress your spine. I did that daily until my bar deteriorated and haven't replaced it. I went to a lecture by a spine surgeon and he advised that one is ALWAYS better off with what they have unless there is just no choice due to severity of issue. I myself will always try to avoid surgery. Also do light exercise like walking to keep fluids moving. Massage and bodywork also help.

Good luck!
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Old 09-11-2019, 06:04 PM
 
9,952 posts, read 6,600,196 times
Reputation: 19655
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbseer View Post
Probably 2... also, RFA, like epidurals, is just a temporary fix since the nerves eventually grow back. This pain only arose three years ago.. I was never a bodybuilder, don't know why spinal stenosis and disc degeneration all of a sudden became a major pain in the butt!
A fusion should be the absolute last option. Even if the RFA is temporary, it could put off the need for surgery for several years and maybe by that time there will be more effective pain management techniques other than a fusion.
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Old 09-11-2019, 06:07 PM
 
713 posts, read 442,233 times
Reputation: 1614
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbseer View Post
Probably 2... also, RFA, like epidurals, is just a temporary fix since the nerves eventually grow back. This pain only arose three years ago.. I was never a bodybuilder, don't know why spinal stenosis and disc degeneration all of a sudden became a major pain in the butt!
Two levels isn’t too bad. But it seems like once you have one fusion, it leads to another fusion down the road. My first spinal fusion was when I was 16 yo, then again at 46 and now I’m looking at another surgery in October. I’m 58. Also, the RFAs last between 6 months to 1 year. I get them for my SI Joints. Good Luck!!
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Old 09-13-2019, 11:38 PM
 
Location: Bangladesh
12 posts, read 6,421 times
Reputation: 13
Eat black cumin 1 spoon regularly and use hard chair for sitting and hard bed for sleeping
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Old 09-14-2019, 10:12 AM
 
Location: Home is Where You Park It
23,856 posts, read 13,644,508 times
Reputation: 15481
I second the advice regarding yoga and stretching, with one caveat - ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist. There are stretches that will make your problem worse, if you don't understand how to do them correctly. Once you know which kinds of exercise to avoid, try different yoga teachers. Also, have you tried pool exercises?

Many years ago, I was a nurse, and both fusions and laminectomies were common. They are not done nearly as often now, because of their erratic results. If it were me, I'd do anything to avoid fusion, including living with a certain amount of pain.
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Old 09-15-2019, 11:44 PM
 
Location: Out there somewhere...a traveling man.
44,560 posts, read 61,317,230 times
Reputation: 125582
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbseer View Post
Probably 2... also, RFA, like epidurals, is just a temporary fix since the nerves eventually grow back. This pain only arose three years ago.. I was never a bodybuilder, don't know why spinal stenosis and disc degeneration all of a sudden became a major pain in the butt!
It comes with aging. I had similar situation several years ago with severe pain and unable to walk. I tried several doctors and methods recommended to help me along to no avail. Eventually a back specialist recommended RFA and as soon as he did the procedure I could immediately walk without pain and after 3 years still have no pain.
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Old 03-11-2021, 02:33 PM
 
5,654 posts, read 4,189,737 times
Reputation: 11538
Quote:
Originally Posted by wit-nit View Post
It comes with aging. I had similar situation several years ago with severe pain and unable to walk. I tried several doctors and methods recommended to help me along to no avail. Eventually a back specialist recommended RFA and as soon as he did the procedure I could immediately walk without pain and after 3 years still have no pain.

And how is it 4.5 years later?
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