Hello all Newbie here....

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remoc8116

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Well my story is long but i will try and make it quick, I am a Police Officer and part of my duties include security checks on closed businesses( Checking for lock doors and security issues) Well back in May of 2007 i was out of my cruiser and doing my checks and i caught my shin on a piece of steel causing me to twist and hurting my back.

The diagnosis was a tear at L4/L5 and had a positive discogram at L5/S1, Even though L5/S1 showed no visible signs of damage something is messed up there, Also found to have DDD at L5/S1 which could be irritated, 2 years later i am finally going to be getting Surgery, I am getting if i remeraber correctly a Fusion at L4/L5 L5/S1, Also IIRC something about a T-lift?????? The pain is crazy, I take Vicoden ES 4 times a day and really could take more....Has anyone had this surgery done? and any advice you can give me would be appreciated, I am getting a little jumpy with the surgery coming up, If you had this done what can i expect after? Any chance i will be able to go back into Law Enforcement?? Thanks in advance.
 
Sorry to hear about your problems, but welcome to the boarRAB.

I had an L4/L5 T/lif 3 weeks ago. T/lif stanRAB for transforaminal lurabar interbody fusion, and there is lots of information on the Internet if you do a search for it - there are even some live surgeries of it that you can watch. Basically it is a spinal fusion which is done completely from the back side. They will remove the facet joints on one side of your spine and place the cages and bone material through that space, then you will get screws and roRAB to hold it all in place. You will likely wear a brace for several months afterwarRAB.

I had a failed decompression surgery last summer, and the recovery so far from this fusion has been much easier than it was from my "simple" decompression. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I am able to walk about a mile a day already (made up of 2-3 shorter walks). I still have sciatic pain down my leg when I sit and lay down, and that has led to some sleeping problems for me. I was told in the hospital that for several months after my surgery, I shouldn't do any activity for more than 30 minutes. So after standing for 30 minutes, I need to lay down or sit, etc. Also, it's very important to keep moving and active to prevent scar tissue formation in the first several months.

The pain was at its worst in the first couple of weeks, but the incision pain is much better for me now. Recovery from a fusion is very individual. Some people can barely get out of bed for the first couple of months, while others are walking 2 miles a day after 6 weeks. Lots of walking is a very important part of recovery. Likewise, long-term recovery varies, so returning to a job as a police officer is possible but would likely be at least 6-12 months out if you are able to.

Some of the best things you can do prior to your surgery is work on building up your core muscles and walk a lot, both of which will really help you recover from the surgery.

Do you have just back pain or sciatic pain down one or both legs also? Back surgery tenRAB to be more successful for leg pain than back pain.
 
Thanks for the reply i have both back pain and pain down both legs, I will be searching for the surgery on line, I have never been operated on so thats why the nerves, I did have a coworker who had surgery on his back and he died on the table:eek: So needless to say im worried....Thanks for the help.
 
Please keep in mind that most people who die during a planned spinal surgery for a "routine" condition (such as herniated disc, etc) often have underlying medical issues. These could be anything from heart disease, to diabetes to a history of bleeding disorders, etc. I've had 4 spinal surgeries and a ton of other surgeries (knee, feet, etc) and have done well with anesthesia each time. If you do head down the surgical route be sure to discuss with the surgeon and anesthesiologist any underlying medical problems you may have and any medications OR supplements you may take.
 
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