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I would reccomend doing a lot of research online as I did prior to my surgery.
Google the type of surgery you need and also try editing the wording and modify your searches for additional related topics,sites & blogs.
 
i consulted some top guys in neurosurgery-and the one told me yes some get some resolution of thier pain-but the truth is he sais we dont do the surgery to relieve your pain, but to correct the instability, etc-he sais thers about a 30% chance it will help your pain andd a 70% chance it may get worse-he sais-theres plenty of guys who will tell you different and be pretty convincing and more than willing to cut, drill and chisel away-I was schocked at his honesty becaues i really like him(he was a top guy from Boston.works out of a private hospital and also brigham young's) look up top nuerosurgeons in boston, and he only takes pt's that are referred-he will examine pertain med recs and dx studies ,ie, mri's and then his office will contact you, and this guy will lay it on the line for you, i believe his name was woodard or something close-the bottom line is he told me he will only do an indicated procedue if ther are no other options and the benfit outways the risks



good luck
 
I have to agree, once they cut you it starts. I have had 7 back surgery's already. The burning of the nerves: I get it done every 6 months at 6 levels. If you have spinal arthritis it works; if you don't, it doesn't work at all. I think pain management doctors over use the procedure. It must pay well. It is not a painful procedure and, you can go to work the next day.
 
Hello everyone,

I have some lower disc issues and had a Dr. tell me he wanted to fuse S1 to L4. I came out here reading all the posts and it appears 95% of the people regret ever being cut (for whatever reason). That once you start cutting it never stops, and the pain either doesn't go away or gets worse. Scared the hell out of me!!

What I'm wondering is if this is because the people that get the 'cure' don't come hanging out here saying how good they feel now? Make sense? If 1000 get a fuse how many are successful? 80/20? 50/50? surely can't be 20/80!?
 
Yes, I have had ablation a couple of times and both times it worked very well. If the doctor is experienced (pain managment specialist) and this is what he recommenRAB, I would certainly give it a try. The nerves do eventually g row back but sometimes they take a different "pathway" and don't cause any more trouble. I hope you have great results.

Carol
 
>>>>>You are right....folks who have had successful surgeries are not on boarRAB like this one because they don't need help and/or support! One can never predict the future but just because you have one surgery doesn't mean you will necessarily have to have more....my late husband is a good example of that!

Much depenRAB on what is wrong and where. I urge you to get more than one opinion on having surgery and if they disagree, get a 3rd opinion. This is one thing you do not want to make a mistake about. I don't think anyone but the spine specialist can tell you the successful percentages, because you didn't say exactly what is being done or how it is being done....or the reasons. Generally, the more complicated the surgery, the lower the chances for a great outcome, but again, everyone is different.

Let us know how you are doing.

Carol
 
Carol is right. When folks are healed and are feeling fine, they leaveand go on with their lives. A few of us stay around to help folks who are in need.

But don't have the surgery on the advice of one person. Ask another one and then another. It may cost you some bucks, but it's better to be sure than not. My pain management doctor says that surgery is an option, but it should be the right option, not your first option...

So get more answers and don't get a referral from your back doc. Ask your gp or someone else you trust. Good luck. And keep your chin up.

My hubby had his back done and he is great....so all folks don't have issues.
 
I had S1-L5 fusions done June 30 of this year. I was home for about 3 weeks and had to go to the emergency room because the pain in my right leg was intolerable. They admitted me and kept me for 3 days on IV dilaudid (not sure about the spelling). My doc explained to me that nerves are the slowest healing part of our bodies. I have spondylolisthesis (not sure about that spelling either) any the disc between L4 and L5 was completely gone so my sciatic nerve was being crushed. My surgery created a space to relieve pressure on the nerve and the pain from the nerve "repairing" itself is what sent me back to the hospital. They sent me home on the pill form of dilaudid. I'm doing really well now however everyday, there is a different feeling somewhere in my right leg. Like for a few days my toes feel like they are scalded and then that goes away. Then it will come back again for a few days. One day i may have hip pain, one day i may have knee pain. I just never know what to expect. What i can say, is that these weirdo healing pains i have are still easier to deal with than the sciatica i had prior to the surgery. Hope this helps!
 
I am 24 and I had a fusion when I was 22 from S1-L4 and it saved my life. I am 100% better so here is one that was a positive outcome.
 
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