surgery questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter really curious
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really curious

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Hi

I had a microdiscectomy 2 years ago and had complications. A fusion is recommended, but only by the doc who did the discectomy. I am cautious about doing this because I was told by docs advising against it that I will need more surgeries.

If you've had fusion at L5-S1, how long ago?
More surgery needed? How long after?
Was it successful?
If successful, what kind of physical activity limitations?

Thanks




Mar07 microdiscectomy for buldge; rongeur broke, tip left in disc
Last 2 yrs tip migrated, now located at rear edge of disc
 
What kind of complications did you have with your surgery 2 years ago? What symptoms are you continuing to have? Did the surgery 2 years ago help you at all?

I remeraber my doctor telling me before my laminectomy/discectomy surgery at L4/L5 that I had an 85% chance of improvement, but unfortunately I was in the 15% that did not improve. I am now facing an additional surgery, very possibly a fusion. I'll see a surgeon this week to find out for sure.

A fusion is a huge step, so you might want to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion before taking such a giant leap. You will have limitations with a fusion, especially during the first year, but also for life.
 
The complication was an instrument breaking. The end of the rongeur broke off. The doctor left it in the disc space. He described the piece as 4mmx2mm, but I later found it to be 9mm long.

Originally, I had trouble sitting straight(had to lean to side), standing straight up(again, leaning), and intermittent pain in leg(not much, though). They found a buldge at L5-S1.

Now, movement of my pelvis causes pain. I cannot straighten up completely, sit straight up(have to kinda slouch), lay on my stomach, or do anything where my pelvis is in a position that reserables sticking my behind out. Injections did not help.
I can't say too much about other pains due to medicine masking things.
My doc(no longer see him) says that it just was not successful. I have trouble believing that when there is a 9mm long non-therapeutic fragment wedged between the bones.

Every doc I've seen does not recommend surgery due to risk. Opinion is that I am mobile(very limited with cane) and have bodily function now. They say it will be worth the risk when I become immobile. They also say that one surgery(fusion) will lead to another and another due to the location.

I'm hoping to get some real stories from folks here to be better informed. I've found that the official success rate is a procedural thing, not taken from the patient's view and living it everyday.
 
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