Worried about having to have surgery

[ChattieDee]

Hi everyone,

About five weeks ago my husband and I decided to go for a walk, which turned into a "power walk" afterwarRAB it felt like I had pulled a muscle in my left hip, so I was stretching it and it was getting worse, the pain was like a cramping burning sinsation from my hip to my knee and from my knee to my toes it was like it was asleep all the time. So I made an appointment with our family Dr. because the pain was to unbearable and I knew I needed some kind of pain pills. She scheduled a MRI that I had done Monday and found out Yesterday I had a herniated disc, I don't know if it's a L5, L4, or what.The nurse sent the MRI to a surgen . And as right now I'm just waiting.

I have always had problems with my back and I will go to a chiropractor who fixes me right up. This time it wasn't my back going out, so I thought. It was different. I don't want a Quick Fix, I want it fixed.

Any suggestion of what I should ask the surgen when we talk to him would be much appreciated.
From what I have read so far, I'm really glad I found this board. I will definitly keep you posted on whats going on.

Thanks
Dee

 

[deeannek]

Hi Dee welcome to the boarRAB! My name is Dee also so it was kinda strande typing that (lol) My experience has been that the surgeons usually want to try conservative treatment first before recommending surgery. For me I had to do bedrest, ( not at all helpful) physical therapy, and pain management which was very helpful and still is. Unfortunately, I developed spondylosthesis . That is where one vertebrae slips over another causing instability in the spina and that is why I had to have fusion. I think if you do end up going the surgical route and if it is just a herniated disc they would probably do a laminectomy. I have to tell you and the other board merabers will probably tell you that fusion is a very tough operation and takes awhile to recover from for some of us up to a year or more. I have heard some people are back to normal in as little as 3 months. My best advice to you is to read some of the other posts and you can get an idea of what to expect if they do recommend fusion. Also, the sticky's at the top of the board have great info on what to expect and things that make life after back surgery a lot easier.
Again welcome to the boarRAB and keep us posted on your appointment with the surgeon. Dee

 

[mznell]

Hi Dee ~

If you run a search for "Herniated disc" you will find lots of information...you need to read carefully as some sites are more commercial than others...but you can find lots of good information.

L4-5 is the most common location for a problem, as it takes the most wear and tear from any movement we make. We would all like our back problems "fixed." The problem is that there are absolutely NO guarantees in this field. There are predictable outcomes but there are also a million variables.

It is important that you find a doctor who has fellowship training in the spine; he may be an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, but he will have several additional years of schooling in the spine. It is also a good idea to get more than one opinion if surgery is recommended to you. Some docs are much more quick to operate than others.

 

[Justoneofus]

Hi and welcome to this site. First, ask for a copy of the MRI report and keep it for future reference. This will be extremely important if you need to see another doctor for any reason. Keep a copy of all your recorRAB.

Ask the doctor to be very specific about your spine and condition. Don't let him her make light of it and just say it doesnt look bad. That tells you nothing.

Ask him to identify any parts imaged that are not considered healthy.

If you have a bulge, ask him to explain exactly where and if it's bulging out and pressing on a nerve at all.

Ask if any discs show any tears.

Ask if there are any signs of spine instability.

Ask him what his process would be for you projecting out a bit if things didnt heal on their own. You may not be a surgical candidate, but ask him to assume that you are. Most tell you to deal with the here and now, but you need to know that if you are to face surgery down the road, what type of approach that surgeon would take. It might not be the approach you want and it would be nice to learn what this surgeon's approach would be so you can have that knowledge.

If i can think of more.. I post them. That's a good start.

Just make sure you leave that office with Knowledge and that the doctor took the time to explain things to you in a way you somewhat understand.

Keep us posted.

 

[schragie]

Hi Dee and welcome to the boarRAB!

Sorry to hear you're suffering, and I'd like to suggest taking notes when you see the surgeon. Bring a list of questions with you and leave room to write in the answers.

Some surgeons will spend a good deal of time with you and show you on your MRI what they see. I have always found it useful to "read" the MRI with the surgeon.

If the surgeon does think surgery is what you need, ask about timing. Is it worth trying other more conservative options first (physical therapy, epidural injections, etc.) and seeing whether you heal or does s/he think there are any risks to not having surgery?

Good luck at your appt and I hope you get some answers.

Schragie-girl