Any positive stories about back surgery success?

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carole2

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Good Grief is there anything out there as far as surgery goes that actually eliminates pain from the L5-SI lurabar?

All the research I have done talks about pain after every surgery, repeat visits, 2nd surgeries to correct the first, etc.

Why do people ever, ever have surgery with such a terrible rate of failures.

Also, checking on the DRX9000 machine...most of what I have read is that it is bogus...just another gimmick to get money from people suffering with back problems.

Is there anyone out there who is honest and really wants to help back pain sufferers"
 
I had a microdesectomy at L4/L5 Sept 2006 and I feel great!!! Before surgery, I was on so many different drugs just to function, and now I am pain med free! I ride horses and rollarcoasters regularly and can do just about anything (I leave the heavy lifting for others). Z was right about those who are healed moving on. I also have a friend who was wheelchair bound with post polio syndome who now is doing great after a four level fusion. Another friend I have has a new life with eight pieces of hardware in her back. Please keep on hoping? There are many successes. God bless!
 
Here's another success story. My nephew (age 50) had a 360 2 level fusion in Sept. and is doing great. He is walking and moving around really good. He has given me hope and I know if you could see him you would feel better too.
Darby
 
My daughter had a two level fusion at the age of 15. She is now 3 1/2 years post op and is doing fabulous! She goes water skiing (on one), plays tennis, skates, snow skis, bowls.... She is back to living the life of a teenager. She has to do all of these activities in moderation but she is able to participate in life again. She will always have to watch her lifting and be careful. She is far better off than she was in high school. cas
 
Hi there,

I'm one of the so called "failures", at least so far. But if I had the choice to go back before surgery, yes, I'd do it all over again! I'm fairly sure that the reason my my failures are more down to me and my body, than down to any of the treatments (surgical or not) I've had.

Trust me, when you start having back problems, there are frienRAB who say avoid the surgeon, try this, try that...but these are often the people who have never suffered anything too serious... At the same time, I know two people who avoided surgery and whose herniations/problems sorted themselves out with time and physio (6mths - 18mths). I waited a year before seeing any doctors, and then did around 6 mths of alternative treaments, and all the time my symptoms worsened, so when it came to it I knew surgery was my best chance.

Anyhow, there's an equal nuraber of people, if not more, who say go and get it sorted. I know, or know of, lots of people who have had successful surgeries. One had a massive disc herniation at L5/S1, was operated promptly, and is now, 5 years on, doing absolutely grand. No problems whatsoever. Another had fusion at L4/L5 several years ago, and is doing everything she ever did before... Many other success stories come from frienRAB of frienRAB who want to help keep you positive - and it works!

Yes, a lot of us on here are either people like me who continue to have problems, or people who, like yourself, are searching for information and support. As so many have said, the successful ones disappear. I "disappeared" myself for a few months after my last surgery, when everything was progressing reasonably well. When I very first started seeking treatment, the old spineys on the board provided so much reassurance and advice, that was far better than anyone on the outside was giving. My doctors gave me the medical help, the spineys gave me the practical and emotional support, that someone without back problems could never really provide. You only have to look at the list of post-op tips to see the range of advice that experienced spineys can provide (from remedies for constipation, to how to sweep the house with the aid of a pole and a pair of slippers!).

All in all, I think you just have to remeraber that the decision always rests with you. No-one will think you crazy if you decide not to opt for surgery (especially, the surgeons - all the surgeons I've seen have always finished consultations with "of course, its your decision"). The important thing is to be as well-informed as possible. Only you can know what pain is tolerable, if things are really improving or not, how the problems is affecting your way of life, and at what point you say enough's enough. These are the decisions you make before you even seek medical help in the first place, and they're the same ones you make when you undergo physio, and the same ones you consider when you discuss surgery.

Wow, this a long reply, and I apologise but I just really want to reassure you that there are surgical and non-surgical successes out there, they are in the majority, and that we're all here to help support you and others. Trust me if this next surgery works for me, I'll be shouting it from the roof tops!!! :D

As we say in france "Bon courage"...hang in there!

Jinks xx
 
Carole2......on here you will hear all the people who had failures and are still around looking for answers...the ones who had great success with their surgery have moved on and dont need to be on a forum searching for answers....I know of several people who had great success with surgery and only know of one who is better but still with a little trouble.

The DRX9000 is something I would sure try if there was even a 5% chance it would help......sometimes a back is obviously to far gone to even go there....some people may have good odRAB with it and it should be tried if thats the case....even if some pain can be helped.

My Mom had a single level fusion 15 years ago ... she is 63year old and paints houses and can turn circles around me all day long.....thats what I hope is in store for me....I cant do it now and the surgery "May" give me that....so its worth the try....the 360 lurabar fusion has a high rate of success.

Devon
 
I still have pain after my fusion surgery, but it's waaaaay less than what I was dealing with before. I'd do this surgery again in a heartbeat if I had to!

It really depenRAB on your particular situation. Everyone's different. But I do know a lot of people who have done great with this surgery and got their lives back.

A good doctor makes a difference, too. I went to a recommended back surgeon who put me through all the usual hoops (pt, tests, etc.) and then told me he didn't know what else he could do for me. But the one good thing he did do was send me on to another back surgeon he knew. This other doctor is my hero! He came up with a surgical plan for my unusual back problem and has kept me out of the wheelchair I was headed for. If you don't have a doctor you have confidence in, get another opinion. And another, and another, until you are completely confident and satisfied.

I hope you find a solution for your back pain. Chronic pain can be very wearing! Come back and let us know how it's going.

Blessings,
Emily
 
mine wasnt L5-S1, it was a double at L3-4-5. but it worked 1st shot and Im waaaay happier than I was. cured probably 90% of the pain I had. I still have limitations and have some mild discomfort on some days but I would do it again it a heartbeat.

you also have to keep in mind that many that have fusions have on going problems or the fusion only addressed some of the problems that they have. the fusion may of been successful but the other problems remain.

as was mentioned, most of us that had good outcomes only visit here once in a while, if at all. we are out living the Good Life again.

so take heart, fusions are usually successful.
 
I would say that 15 years after my fusion (which I had when I was in my mid-20's) that I do have some back stiffness occasionally but have done very welll. The surgery relieved my pain a great deal and even all these years later I'd still say it was worth it.
 
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