ANYBODY have a positive outcome???

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I can say that my outcome was very positive. I am disabled, but I'm not in a wheelchair, where I was quickly headed. In fact, a wheelchair isn't even in my foreseeable future. My doctor is my hero! I still have pain everyday, but not nearly as bad as it was, and it's now more or less controllable with pain meRAB. The pain I had before wasn't even touched by the meRAB.

Everyone's different, but the vast majority of fusion surgeries turn out positively. Like others have said, the success stories have no reason to be sitting inside looking at this forum! Good for them! They got their lives back! I can think of dozens of people who have come and gone on this board since I've been here who have had the surgery, thought they'd never be better, then got through recovery and waved goodbye to us. I'm glad for them, and I hope you'll have the same experience (except maybe stop in every now and then to leave a positive story for others).

Keep skimming through the old posts, or maybe even do a search for "positive outcome" or "positive fusion" and see what pops up. There have been a nuraber of threaRAB like yours in the past.

I wish you the best,
Emily
 
Ah, I see that I'm not supposed to use the name of that online source for books and other stuff... automatically removed?

Anyway, I was rereading my copy of Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance by McGill and he answered one of my questions... everybody is, indeed, different. He also says that a lot of the literature out there, if used by lay people with no understanding of the problem, can actually cause harm. He says you need to know what caused the problem before you can find the right solution.

So, I guess my goal has changed slightly to educate myself as much as possibly so I can be a more knowledgeable consumer of medical advice. Makes a lot of sense since that same approach should apply in all areas of life. ReminRAB me of Lance Armstrong becoming well educated in his own treatment options. It seemed to work.
 
Hi Brad,

I'm no medical expert, so I honestly can't say - but my advice is just to try and do everything carefully and in a controlled manner - proper warm-ups before exercise etc...If you can get professional advice when you're exercising that's always the best policy. I imagine if you just bend over when the muscles are cold, you're liable to pull the muscles pretty badly which can take a while to heal fully. I was told once that sitting with your legs hanging free puts quite a bit of stress on your lower back, so maybe try and have your feet supported if you doing bending activities.

My own specific problems were severe leg pain which was brought on in a standing position and relieved by bending over - so i spent the best part of two years bending over at the waist, often while still standing, to relieve the pain - in this position I was putting a lot of stress on my dodgy disc - and after the surgery, when I developed the slippage, it seems it was actually shearing the disc. But that was just me and I've had the tests and diagnoses to know exactly what was going on in my back when I bend forward!

good luck with the continued activities - sorry if I frightened you. Whatever the problem, exercise in some form is always advised. Even walking and gentle stretching is good, swimming too. But, remeraber not to try to do too much at once, and if you're concerned about certain activities try and find a professional to guide you for a session or two. I don't remeraber if you've had MRI scans done. If you haven't, I strongly advise it so you at least know what you're working with.
Hang in there!
jinks
 
Hi BradMM,
Careful with toting those rocks! I worked at a job that was somewhat physical for 30 years and had two episodes of lower back issues during that time that I was able to recover with rest, NSAIRAB, core strengthening exercises. I am 55 also and was in between jobs last summer and decided to get some things done around the house. I stained the back deck and patio, put a stain on the kitchen cabinets, and then decided to clear out the mass of daisies on a slope in our front yard that had become a mess. Well, all that bending and repetitive motion activity did me in. I was unable to stand up straight for a couple of weeks. Of course that didn't teach me anything. I went to my NP and had her give me a shot of steroiRAB in the hip to get through my sister's visit with her 9 year old triplets (lots of walking at the zoo, in the pool, etc.) I made it through that and then when the steroiRAB wore off, I could not get up off the floor. Was flat on my back with really bad nerve pain for three weeks. It progressed to weakness in both legs with inability to walk for more than five minutes. MRI showed two herniated discs at L3-L4, L4-L5 with extrusion with spondylolithesis of L4 on L5. I had surgery in Noveraber (laminectomy with fusion of L4-L5) after failed conservative treatment and continued worsening of my mobility and function.

As for success stories, I guess you can consider me one for now. I am walking 2 1/2 miles per day without weakness although I still have some tweaks and irritated nerves but hope and assume that will improve over time.
I use very little in the way of pain meRAB compared to what was required prior to surgery. And I am going to be looking for part time employment when I return from vacation in April. So, yes, there are success stories and folks who continue to read the boarRAB as I have found that the information provided here was beneficial in helping me to make decisions. So I feel I need to pay it forward. I will probably have less time to comment once I am back in the workforce. Physicians at best spend 15 minutes per visit with you and sometimes paint a rosier picture or just have no patience with back or neck pain complaints (at least that has been my experience).

Be mindful of your back as far as lifting and repetitive type activities (as I feel that is what wore out my discs more than just lifting something heavy).
You are right about educating yourself about good back care and conservative methoRAB of caring for your back. I would still be on that path if my condition had not progressed as fast as it did and I was not as disabled as I had become. Surgery is a measure of last resort!
Happy Gardening!!
Jan.
 
I've just skimmed the forum but I have to say... I don't see ANY positive outcomes. Does modern medicine have any solutions for back problems? Anybody wished they'd not had surgery? :(
 
Thanks, Jan! I'm sorry to hear about your experience but I will take your advice to heart!

Brad
 
I've had fairly good luck with 4 of my 5 back surgeries. My first was at 15yrs old, th e latest at 51 yrs old. My most recent was a C5-C6 laminectomy back in October. The only problem that came out of that suregry was MRSA. What a treat. I've been fighting that stuff ever since. Its terrible stuff. I've since lost my job and have had to apply for Social Security Disability. Its for sure a life altering infection that I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy.
 
I normally swim days two days a week.



Seems as thought "the limit" is a moving target but I am cautious. Thanks!



Professional what? Trainer? Not likely... I probably know as much as most trainers. I've seen some scary stuff they have people do. However, I do have a friend who's a former physical therapist turned fitness author who has been a great source.. as long as I can get free info via email. ;)




No MRI.... not even an x-ray yet but I was thinking I'd like to see what's the truth of the matter. Thanks very much for your thoughtful feedback... it is very much appreciated!

Brad
 
YES!

but most who have good outcomes are off living life and most rarely come back to post. I only stop by here every few months now.

gotta be brief now (middle of the night) but Ill post a bit more later today.
 
Hi

Mine's a long long story but I'm figuring that's unfortunately the case with a lot of back issues...

Back problems (principally left leg pain) go back to 2005. Large disc bulge/herniation diagnosed late 2006. Two decompression surgeries in 2007. Leg pain worsened inbetween the two ops (unable to stay upright for more than a minute or two), relieved to some degree by 2nd op. Instability diagnosed summer 2008. New herniation on the other side of the disc put me in excruciating pain and spent two weeks in hospital Nov 2008. But, the herniation wasn't operated this time and I'm glad. By Feb 2009 the new herniation had detatched and healed itself and I've had next to no leg pain in the right leg for several weeks now. Wierdly, the left leg is also a lot better than its ever been. Nurabness persists but much of the sciatica has disappeared. i'm guessing the rest and restriction in activities is the reason for that.

Unfortunately I'm still left with at times debiliatating back pain, and only time will tell if I take the plunge and go for a fusion to sort that out. But I have at least learnt that there's no such thing as a quick fix. Since my last severe episode, its taken 5 months to get to where I am now, finally functioning again. And thats 18mths since the last op. My fear is that another op will not cure but will cause more problems, but on the other side, that this is as good as it gets without more surgery. As I said, only time will tell.

Just one quick word of advice specific to you...I read you often bend far forward to relieve the pain....be really really careful about that. With my problems I found exactly the same. Eventually an instability developed (post-surgical) which meant when I bent forward my vertebra were sliding all the way forward! There's no doubt that that caused the last disc herniation. Now I even refuse to bend forward when a doctor asks me to during an examination! If you have to bend to relieve, try lying down on your side in the foetal position...please don't just plummet from the waist!

Hang in there and my only advice is to take some time speaking to doctors to find the right one for you. One opinion is never enough.

All the best
Jinks
 
I completely disagree that the vast majority of spinal fusions are a sucess. I've done ALOT of research in this area and some of the sucess depenRAB on how many levels are done, amongst other things. Neckpatients post is brilliant as it begs the question-what constitutes a sucess?? Especially in the doctor's eye. For all I know, I may have been added to the success list-simply because I fused great, no broken roRAB seen, etc. But, what about the fact that I have ten times the amount of pain now, and rarely leave home? I think it was Brad that mentioned that this method hasn't changed much over the years. I can say that my first fusion was in 1977. At that time I was in a total body cast for three months, then, it was cut @ waist level for another few months. Although I was immobile for so long, I wonder if this isn't the way to go about spinal fusions now? After I was put in the cast, I had NO PAIN ever again! This sucess lasted 30 years- that's sucess in my opinion! This time around I had the best doc,hospital etc. and still no luck. I do have to take some responsibility for this, in that I did not research this surgery enough. I was unfortunate that I did not have this site to help me in my decision. And I was unaware of the huge controversy surrounding it. For example, in the newsweek magazine, an article talks about a case in the 90's, where a federal agency concluded that spinal fusions don't help back pain. This decision threatened insurance coverage. Spine sugeons who stood to lose alot of money, got Congress to take away the agency's budget. This forced the agency to pull back from ever making recommendations again. In yet another article, it states that in 2001, more than 122,000 fusions were done in the U.S. In 2003, 250,000. In 2006, 500,000! A single spinal screw goes for $1,000. This surgery generates billions of dollars for hospitals and surgeons- esp. those that invest in the hardware. Other documents I have claim a success rate of 49%.Some, even less. All the above info can be supported by the very same journals and magazines that doctors and surgeons subscribe to and read everyday. I know this sounRAB negative, and I fully understand that this surgery does certainly help people-my first fusion helped. However, this 80 to 85% sucess rate that my surgeon and other surgeons tout is quite variable, at best. This is a MAJOR surgery and must be treated as such. Do your research, and be informed;)--janiee08.
 
I am post op 2 weeks and doing much better, not that there's not a long road ahead of me, but I am improved in pain already especially the horrid electric nerve pains.

The key is an experienced doctor with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, start conservative and when everything else doesn't work, get the surgery (and second opinions), and the right kind.
 
My outcome was as my surgeon hoped: pain decreased from an 8 to a 3. I'd hoped for a miraculous decrease to a 0!

In July 2008 I had a decompression and fusion of L2, L3, L4, L5, and S1 using titanium roRAB and screws and some of my own bone. The recovery period was not too painful; I used a cane for about a month and wore an adjustable corset during that time.

It's difficult to bend over enough to dry my feet or pick up things from the floor; I do so bending my knees, and manage OK. I can walk OK, but can't walk rapidly and I doubt my rate will improve.

All in all, my pain was markedly decreased and my spine is stable; perhaps if I'd sought help earlier there could have been even a better outcome. But, I'm thrilled with the result. I had a marvelous surgeon.
 
jn, HOLY CRAP!!! I'm truly sorry to hear all that. As I often remind my dear wife, life ain't always fair!

By the way, we're Texans, too!

Brad
 
THANKS, Jinks!

If I sit on a table and lean forward and let everything relax, I sometimes get a POP very far down my spine and everything feels a lot better. That's not good???

I got a light workout in today... it's been a week or more and I needed it. Mostly just chins and push ups. I carried my slosh pipe (10' 4" PVC pipe 2/3 filled with water) overhead once and did other exercises for the remainder of the time I worked out because I'm trying to avoid most compression right now. I also used one of my med balls to squat, touch the ground and raise it over my head repeatedly. Gotta do SOMETHING but I'm not weight lifting anymore, at least for the moment. I understand movement is good as long as you can do it.

Brad
 
Good point about the ones who come back to post! I don't know my physical condition, I only know that the problems that I've had for most all my life (I'm 55) seem to be getting more pronounced. I've only been to a chiro... twice w/in two weeks. Before that, it was two years prior. Seems like it helps for a short while but then the symptoms come back. Both my wife and the woman who works in my office have commented that I've complained of back problems more in the past six mos to a year.

Things are manageable now and I want to keep it that way if I can. I'm afraid that, if I go to an ortho, they'll want to rush into surgery. I had a knee operation maybe 10 years ago (?) based on the MD's advice but, when he went in, there was nothing torn. No MRI, no therapy, straight into surgery so I'm cautious with doctors.

I've found that hanging from my chinning bar works great and bending very far forward often relieves the pain so I'm pretty sure there's a compression issue of some kind. I'm just taking it easy right now and trying to get everything to relax again. I was fine after the last visit to the chiro but did a lot of digging and hauling rock and other things I like to do in the yard last weekend so that aggravated it. Maybe I just need to let things rest for a while and I'll get back to normal. I know there's a problem, I just don't know if it's simply a management issue but that's what I'm going to shoot for as long as possible.

Pain is NOT a huge issue THANK GOODNESS except for occasional quick stabs in my right hip area but it doesn't last that long. These poor folks on here who have/are dealing with debilitating pain and depression - sometimes AFTER surgery - probably were driven to seek whatever kind of relief they could find and I understand that completely. I also know that everybody who graduates from Med school is still called Doctor... even the ones at the bottom of the class.

Brad
 
Iam told that sometimes it takes up to a year for everything to heal. Can anyone tell me if this tail bone pain Iam having is part of the healing process from the bone fusion. I also have the two roRAB with screws at the L5 and S1.

These Doctors won't tell you anything. I was never told what to expect after surgery, Ive learned it from in here. You people have helped me so much. When Iam laying in bed I have no pain what so ever, I can turn from side to side, no problem, but when I get up in the morning and put my back brace on, thats it for the day. I can tolorate the pain, but sometimes I have to use the cold therapy.
So, Brad, think positive, and go with it day to day.
 
I don't know yet if I have had a positive outcome yet or not (I am hoping) but I do know that I had the same concerns as you prior to my surgery. I was like...I am not that bad. I get by on pain meRAB and rest and yes my life isn't 100% but who knows what it will be after the surgery.

Well my surgeon was wonderful and he said that it was a very good thing that I did have the surgery because it was pretty nasty in there and that it was a wonder that I didn't have any nerve pain because of all the compression. He said that had I not had the surgery I would have continued to get worse and caused more damage. Now the damage has been stopped.
 
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