Getting ready for round 2-Which surgery?

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confusedpatient

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I'm 10 months post op from a laminectomy/discectomy & I've rehurniated at L4/L5. I fell while hiking & it has steadily gotten worse over the last 6 weeks. My pain is mostly in my leg, with some achiness in my lower back. I tried an ESI last week which only made things worse. I have seen 4 specialists, 2 for a fusion, 2 against. My neuro who did the first surgery feels a discectomy with a wider lami is in order. The idea of a fusion really scares me. I'm having a hard time making a decision as I don't want to end up with a 3rd surgery if this doesn't work. I'm hoping being more consistent on the exercises after surgery will help. I didn't stick to the plan the first time. I would like to hear from those who rehurniated and what path they took.

Carol W.
 
Well, I re-herniated too and didn't have much choice...too much instability to do anything other than fusion. It was successful and I got along very well for almost 3 years....then had 3 MVA's (rearended each time) and the fusion slowly started deteriorating. I didn't have to have anything done though until l997. Successful fusion is possible, honest.

Carol
 
I reinjured the disc I had a micro-d on two years ago. Now, I have not only the bulge there at L5-S1, but L4-5 too. I also have DDD in both discs. Now, before my discogram, we weren't sure about a fusion or any surgery at all. Now, I am pretty sure my DDD is bad enough and it won't get better, so I am going to have the fusion. But, to be honest, I would have the fusion if I thought it would help that disc. That is me though, I have very different opinions on surgery than most (have had five and I am 27 ((as of today!!! :) ). anyway, this is a decision you have to make. Carol is right and I have read way more success stories from fusions than bad ones. I get nervous somtimes when I think about it, and I don't even know if I will for sure have one, but I know for me it is the right decision. Good luck, it is hard, but you will do what is best for you now. Ask your doc about long term life if you have the fusion, versus if you didn't. Just have him make a general guess. Maybe this will help!
 
confusedpatient
I read that you have a lot of experience with hemilaminectomy microdiscectomy surgery. I had surgery exactly one week ago on L4 - L5. I guess I would just like to know how your surgery went. I was told by the Dr. that the pain should be gone a few days after surgery, but I am still in a lot of pain. I talked to the Dr. and he said that everyone is different with healing. He also suggested going on steroiRAB for a few days (hate being on steroiRAB so I said I would like to hold off). If you have any info or your experiences you could share it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Cjr74
 
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