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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 5:19 pm to twoliter
Seek a second opinion, preferably from a Neurosurgeon who specializes in Spine. Surgery should come as a last resort once the disc has herniated and you have pain radiating down your leg.
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 5:40 pm to NOLATide
quote:
Seek a second opinion, preferably from a Neurosurgeon who specializes in Spine.
This. I've had clients have this done but they were in constant pain. They all got some relief but the recovery is long and you lose some mobility.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 5:44 pm to Lakeboy7
The steroid cream won't work for your back. I would stick with conservative treatment for a long while before considering spinal fusion. They can be successful when they are indicated but probably have the lowest success rate out of any spine surgery.
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 6:01 pm to NOLATide
I had a bad disc back in 93....had spinal fusion. Haven't had any issues since, other than a stiff back every now and then.
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 6:31 pm to Roscoe
Lumbar discs are not a joke. Get a second opinion. Dr Eiserloh at BR Orthopaedic did my microlaminectomy when I was in school. I would fully recommend him.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 7:37 pm to SM6
Not lumbar, but I had a level 1 fusion at C-6/C-7 last year and I'll be having a level 3 from C-6 up in a couple of years.
Treatment was long & laborious leading up to surgery, but my post-op recovery didn't take more than a month. The worst part was regaining all the strength in my right arm; the nerve was impinged for quite a long time.
I've had zero issues since then.
Treatment was long & laborious leading up to surgery, but my post-op recovery didn't take more than a month. The worst part was regaining all the strength in my right arm; the nerve was impinged for quite a long time.
I've had zero issues since then.
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 7:49 pm to 911Moto
quote:
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.
Spill the beans. You having trouble with your hardware or what?
Posted on 4/11/14 at 7:55 pm to Come2Conquer
I did fine the first few months after surgery, then went back to work (dentistry). Within a couple months of that, all my original problems returned - along with some new ones. Been on total disability for several years now. I really think I went back to work too soon. I've been getting around 15 trigger point injections in my neck and back every 3 weeks for over 5 years now. I've seen x-rays of my hardware, and it all looks perfect. Screw alignment and everything looks perfect.
This post was edited on 4/11/14 at 7:58 pm
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