Back Surgery is NOT a good idea

[joefromnj]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I just went through my second surgery, but I had 8 full pain free years between. I had a quick and full recovery after my first surgery(L4/L5 disc reduction after a sever herniation and rupture). The surgery went so well that i was able to run farther and harder than before, as well as add weight to all my highest lifting totals. It was not until I moved to California and was forced out of neccesity to take a job that required me to lift things of various shapes and sizes in every wrong way possible, every day for a year, that i found myself almost unable to walk when i stood up one morning. Since I was now covered under workers comp, they did everything they could to try to not spend money, including turning down requests for MRI's made by 3 different Dr's. I was sent to a chiropracter and for physical therapy, which were both extremely painful and undoubtably worsened my condition. After 6 months of sever pain and heavy sedation by percoset my MRI was approved and showed nothing but a big black cloud. The surgeon was astonished that I could even walk. He went over the option with me about shots i could get, a brace i could wear, and the disc reduction that i ended up getting for my newly ruptured disc(L4/L5). The only option that he said he would not explore with me was a spinal fusion because as he said, "it would take away my youth."

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and i couldn't be happier. No more pain or nurabness, and hopefully i will be cleared for lite exercise within the next month.

In my experience I would say that surgery should only be done if completely neccesary. I also believe that the fusion operation should be avoided unless it is a last resort. I would also recommend staying away from physical therapy following any kind of disc reduction, as they seem to push patients too hard too quick, which can lead to the development of scar tissue, and also help to undue the work that the surgeon has just done, making the surgery useless.

*please excuse the spelling errors*

 

[allanbruce]

I am also glad that someone here said that surgery was ok in some incidences as I am so upset and hurt that someone would expect me to stay in the condition I am, As I have been in so much pain that I don't even bother posting mostly. It is an effort for me to concentrate long enough to read all the posts on a thread and then get my thoughts together to write one myself. I also have now the tendency to upset others by my opinions. Please don't take me the wrong way as some of my family have. My pain has only ever got worse and my symptoms have increased.

At my first appointment to see a neurosurgeon he told me that I could do mostly anything and it wouldn't damage my back any more than it was. At that time I was in that much pain I could no longer work and I had been put on a disability pension. Well 5 years later I started having electric type shocks up my spine after any physical exercise that basically drops me where ever I am. That happened about a dozen times with a pain level of 8-9+ at times. This was new and stopped me doing much at all. I saw another surgeon who said she couldn't help me it was just the nerves.

Anyway after another 6 months of increased pain I started having Sciatica and was sent for a CT guided L5 nerve root block injection. Well that made one side much worse but helped the other side for a while. The doctor tried 3 times to get the needle into the left side and I ended up with pain in my butt literally. Since then it has only gotten worse both sides. Also now I have developed a limp on that side and increased pain. Basically I now have pain from the waist down my butt (the worst) and down my legs the left being worst.

My brother was that upset by what was happening to his brother that he contacted a surgeon to find out my options. So it worked out that I joined a private health fund. This doesn't allow me to have any surgery for 12 months after joining but has given me time to research my options. So I went for another MRI as a pensioner gets it free here in Australia.I went to see another neurosurgeon and he told me strait up I need a double fusion operation at L4 to S1. He was very good and showed me where the nerves are being compressed because of degenerative disc disease. Along with the damage that this is starting to do to the vertebrae and facet joints.

So there it is surgery or I lay in bed for up to 20 hours a day that has already caused me to put on weight. I am now over 90 KG because I just can't do anything much at all. I can walk some but if I over do anything I end up in agony and the nerves start to go into spasm.

Now I have to live with family because I haven't been able to work for about 8 years. I did do some phone work for my brother for a couple years but I am not able to do anything now. The sister I live with has pushed me away because she says I'm negitive and has told me I have to stay with my parents on weekenRAB every two weeks but I know she doesn't want me here any weekend and has rearranged the lounge so I can't watch TV with them. I need a recliner. I am so upset now I am in my room whenever they are here. Thankfully they both work but my sister only works 4 days a week. Would you advise me not to have surgery? I don't know if things could get much worse at present. But I know they can. I was an active alcoholic for 25 years and 8 years clean now. I know it can get worse.

Sorry if I wrote a novel here so I will leave it at that. Allan.