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Message
Lumbar Spinal Fusion question..
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:12 pm
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:12 pm
I was just told that my MRI showed a compressed Disc in my Lumbar region, although to me the spacing looks ok, but the Doc says the jelly in it is mostly gone it appears more black on the MRI?
I have been doing PT for 3 weeks now and while I am much stronger, when I make a golf move, it flares back up.
I am now trying a very expensive steriod cream, not sure about tye benefit of that.
My next step in a shot in the back and then a fusion.
If I need the fusion, can anyone say anything positive about it ?
It only bothers me when I make that certain move.
I can pickup any heavy and no issue, I can squat and bend fine..Only when I twist is there an issue.
Has anyone had this before ? I want to believe it is a nerve issue.
Thoughts and comments ?
I have been doing PT for 3 weeks now and while I am much stronger, when I make a golf move, it flares back up.
I am now trying a very expensive steriod cream, not sure about tye benefit of that.
My next step in a shot in the back and then a fusion.
If I need the fusion, can anyone say anything positive about it ?
It only bothers me when I make that certain move.
I can pickup any heavy and no issue, I can squat and bend fine..Only when I twist is there an issue.
Has anyone had this before ? I want to believe it is a nerve issue.
Thoughts and comments ?
20
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:13 pm to bopper50
quote:
If I need the fusion, can anyone say anything positive about it ?
There's a 50% chance it will help. Glass half full?
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:20 pm to bopper50
quote:
Thoughts and comments ?
So 1 bad disc and he is saying fusion? I would definitely get a second opinion. If fusion is the recommended path, ask your doc about artificial discs. LINK
You may have to go to a more technically advanced doctor to have this done but it is the route I would take. And you may have to give up golf either way.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:21 pm to bopper50
don't do it mayne
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:23 pm to bopper50
Do not get a back fusion or other back surgery unless you are absolutely forced to.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:53 pm to bopper50
You really need to give recovery a lot more time. No way would I do a fusion unless it was a last resort, after a long attempt at treatment and recovery.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:54 pm to bopper50
Medtronic spinal cord stimulation
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:59 pm to bopper50
Lumbar fusion should be last resort. You may just have to avoid the "golf" move. A fusion is not a cure all by any means
ETA: steroid injections usually only give relief for 2-6 weeks. Good luck
ETA: steroid injections usually only give relief for 2-6 weeks. Good luck
This post was edited on 4/11/14 at 6:01 pm
Posted on 4/11/14 at 6:01 pm to bopper50
I had a two level fusion when I was in high school. I basically had too because I had a vertebra cracked in two. It was about a year recovery. There is no way you should have a fusion if it hurts sometimes. Fusion should be the last resort for unbearable chronic pain.If you have it you can pretty much guarantee loss of mobility depending on which vertebra is fused. Are you prepared financially to be out of work for 6 months? If you do aNy kind of manual labor that is what your looking at easy.
This post was edited on 4/11/14 at 6:03 pm
Posted on 4/11/14 at 6:21 pm to bopper50
quote:
compressed Disc
quote:
I want to believe it is a nerve issue.
Did the doc say anything about a compressed nerve?
Are you having any pain radiating into your legs, or only the back?
Posted on 4/11/14 at 7:45 pm to bopper50
I had a cervical fusion (C5-6-7) about 8 years ago and continue to have big problems. And cervical fusions are the most predictable and have the highest success rate. My neurosurgeon refuses to do lumbar fusions - he will do whatever other options are available, but believes very strongly that lumbar fusions should not be done. And he is the most honest surgeon I've ever met. He also strongly believes that neck and back surgery are done primarily for arm and leg pain, respectively. He says if the neck or back pain goes away, consider it a bonus.
This post was edited on 4/11/14 at 7:50 pm
Posted on 4/11/14 at 7:48 pm to bopper50
50K worth of titanium cage and screws and a new disc at L3/L4. Beautiful thing now; best decision I made was going to 6 different doctors before I found one I would trust to do it. Chris Cenac in Houma went thru my side and did not cut my back. Up walking 6.5 hrs after a 1 hr 10 minute surgery.
Check him out and others, but you need to trust and believe in the doctor or don't let him do it.
Check him out and others, but you need to trust and believe in the doctor or don't let him do it.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:04 pm to bopper50
Fix your golf swing.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 6:24 pm to bopper50
If you trust your doc and have seen the pics and he's thoroughly explained why you need it then I'd do it
Probably get a second opinion first
Probably get a second opinion first
Posted on 4/13/14 at 6:28 pm to bopper50
My mom has 3 vertebrae fused a year and a half ago, she is much better than before the surgery but was in a back brace for months after. Before she couldn't stand for very long without leaning on something, now she gets along fine.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:06 pm to bopper50
Sounds like a simple radiculopathy. Why a fusion and not a micro laminectomy/discectomy?
If it only hurts during the golf swing and no other times, I'd run away from any surgeon who wants to cut on me, and recommend an extensive conservative plan, including ergonomics, PT, LESI, etc.
Honestly, I would never do a lumbar fusion without either leg weakness or bowel:bladder incontinence. Even with leg numbness, I'd choose the conservative route.
If it only hurts during the golf swing and no other times, I'd run away from any surgeon who wants to cut on me, and recommend an extensive conservative plan, including ergonomics, PT, LESI, etc.
Honestly, I would never do a lumbar fusion without either leg weakness or bowel:bladder incontinence. Even with leg numbness, I'd choose the conservative route.
This post was edited on 4/13/14 at 7:09 pm
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:50 pm to bopper50
That you would even consider surgery when your only real limitation (per your own words) is that you can't play golf? Are you frickin kidding me? STOP PLAYING GOLF. DO NOT HAVE SURGERY.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:51 pm to bopper50
quote:
If I need the fusion, can anyone say anything positive about it ?
You might have less pain, but you also end up with more pain and need more surgeries.
ETA: it would probably be a good idea to stay away from golf.
This post was edited on 4/13/14 at 7:56 pm
Posted on 4/13/14 at 8:39 pm to bopper50
My dad has had like 6 back surgeries. All trying to do what they can not to have fused his back. Well nothing worked. Cream, shots, clean outs, trimming calcium off vertebrae. Nothing. Electrical implants to disrupt pain signals...nothing until the fuse helped. Helped a lot. That's said its a bad arse recovery.
Your beat move is to give up your golf and not need the surgery until later.
Good luck. And don't forget your small Xrays to show people in the airport scanning for metal
Your beat move is to give up your golf and not need the surgery until later.
Good luck. And don't forget your small Xrays to show people in the airport scanning for metal
Posted on 4/13/14 at 8:44 pm to bopper50
I don't think limiting the range of motion of your lumbar spine (i.e. fusing vertebrae) is going the help the pain when you are torquing your back during a golf swing. Remember, right now, every vertebrae is rotating somewhat during your swing. If you fuse 2 or 3 vertebrae together, it's going to put extra stress on the vertebrae just above and below your fusion.
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