3rd Microdiscectomy L5 S1

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Pintail

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Hi,

I sturabled upon these boarRAB and im so happy I did !!! Its nice to see that im not the only one going thru this horrible experience...


Long story short, I have had 3 microdiscectomys on L5 S1.. I had my first in 2003, then 2005, now again in 2010... Im only 25...

I decided against the fusion because im still so young and my first two surgeries really worked well... when I say this, I take full responsibility for hurting my back again, it wasnt the doctors fault I tried to stay young and do stupid activities :dizzy:

I am 2 months post op from my 3rd micro and it all feels different this time.. I have horrible pain in both legs and I am still quite miserable.. This is somthing that didnt happen with the last two...

The doctor says Im sitting on about 50 percent disc at L5 and its pretty much a flat tire...

My question to all you experts is, will it be possible to live any type of life with only half my disc left ?? Or should I really be looking forward to the fusion in the future to finally get rid of this pain ???

How long does it take for this inflammation to get out of my system ?? again somthing that I never experienced with the last two !!!

I have been scared to death of the fusion, and its somthing that I have allways swore I would never get no matter how bad my pain got.. Well its now somthing that im considering !!
My doc says im only 2 months out, and it will take a good 3-6 months to see how this one worked, but I can tell its not the same :(
sorry for not going into much detail, i could fill up 20 pages on this back, but I kind of wanted to get right to the question !! any replys would be great ! :wave:
 
Pintail
I am so sorry you had to go thru all those surgeries. I was in the same boat as you. I have had 3 microdiscectomy and then I herniated my L5S1 for the 4th time in Jan. I was not advised by my dr to get a fusion so I went to see 5 other doctors, 2 ortho/spine, neurologist for eval of nerves, neurologist, pain medicine. The pain med dr gave me 2 cortisone shots which worked great for me until I decided what to do.
Whatever you decide is your own choice but this is what persuaded me to get my fusion.

I am 46 and very active, I teach special neeRAB kiRAB pe so I have to run, and move with them, and lift my students. I have 3 active teens and our family skis, hikes, and bikes. I could not imagine not being active, it is what I do. Every time my disc would herniate it would do damage to my nerves. I have lost feeling in my toes of my left foot, and have 1/3 decrease in strength due to nerve damage in my left foot. Neurologist I saw who tested me told me that I could do more damage the longer my joint was left so unstable. My disc would also fragment when it went out so pieces would be lodged in my sciatic nerve. I decided fusion was for me. I researched my dr, he went to a good school, did internship at Cleveland Clinic and is an active athlete himself. I am now 2 weeks post op and can function really well. I needed time to heal and strengthen before going back to school in Sept. Because I am in shape I feel I am able to recover faster, and so far only the first week was really hard. With each week it gets easier.

My advice would be if you can have someone take care of you for 3 weeks, and leave yourself at least 6 weeks to recover, fusion could be a wise choice for you. My family has had to help me and fend for themselves for the past several weeks. I am thankful I did have the surgery because now when I am teaching, or being active there wont be this little fear in my mind about when will my disc go out again next, and how far will it knock me out again and for how long.

I know everyone has to come to their own Conclusion but I hope my positive experience will help you.

L5S1 discectomy 2008, 2/2009, 5/2009
L5S1 Posterior TLIF 4/27/2010
 
Welcome to the board. I'm sorry you needed to find us, but it is a great group here.

You can live on a 50% disc, BUT, it is only going to get worse, not better. Unfortunately the percentage doesn't go up, just down on something like this. It will continue to get progressively worse until there is nothing but bone on bone.

How long the inflmation will last varies from person to person. There is no good answer for that. The 3-6 month time frame that your doctor gave you is a good basis to work from. You don't see fusion from sugery for 6 months either..... The best way to get rid of it is to walk and walk and take your meRAB to help your body heal. Fusion mya be the answer, but it should be the last resort-which I think you are fast approaching. When you get to total bone on bone, then you will need to decide if fusion is for you.

Good luck and welcome once again.
 
Thanks for the replys :wave:

life sucks when you hurt this bad !!! Esp when your so young, but i try to not feel sorry for myself as many others have it worse :(

The reason I asked about the inflammation is because this pain is totally different than my pain that I had before surgery !! This pain is a deep ache in both legs and a real irriatating feeling, which leaRAB me and the doctor to believe it is inflammation.. Its not as severe or localized at the rutured disc sciatic pain that I was experiencing..

I can also now do a straight leg lift without much pressure on the nerve, before surgery I couldnt raise my leg 15 inches off the ground without feeling the pressure and horrible pain in my nerve, now im almost 90 degrees.

The pain is still with me everyday, but it does get better with walking !!!
 
Pintail
Good luck and you are never too young to have a fusion!! it is just what time frame can you afford to have it in. Consider if you have small kiRAB someday and the back goes out, you will not be able to take care of your kiRAB then, just a thought. I am thankful mine are now teens and can fend for themselves. If it is something you have to do consider your time frame.
PEmom
 
That is very true PE mom, I am about to finish up my degree in teaching, and become a baseball coach as well as get married !! So I will be in the same line of work as you :) I Think I might go thru with the fusion after this recovery period is up. IF i dont see improvement that is !!!

My how we miss our old lives pre back injury :D

thanks for your comments !!
 
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