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Started By
Message
re: Lumbar Spinal Fusion question..
Posted on 4/11/14 at 8:38 pm to 911Moto
Posted on 4/11/14 at 8:38 pm to 911Moto
I fought chronic back and leg pain for over 20 years and finally gave in and had my L-5 S-1 fused. It was the best move I ever made and now I only have to deal with occasional low back pain. Dr. Thomas Donner (an LSU grad) did the surgery in Thibodaux and I would highly recommend getting a second opinion from him.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 9:24 pm to 911Moto
I'd let the folks at the Laser Spinal Institute down in Florida have a shot at things first if you insurance will pay for it. Had a good friend who went down there and they did very well with him. He went down on a Monday, procedure done Tuesday, tweak procedure done Wednesday, then checked out and came back home Thursday. Been doing well ever since. Was about 18 mos ago.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 6:19 pm to Bob Sacamano
Thanks for all the remarks...
I think for now, I am going to pass on the surgery and try the spinal shots along with more PT.
I think for now, I am going to pass on the surgery and try the spinal shots along with more PT.
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 6:25 pm to Lakeboy7
6 month for a full recovery with a good neurosurgeon
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 6:31 pm to bopper50
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/25/14 at 2:00 pm
Posted on 4/13/14 at 6:45 pm to Paige
quote:
That's why I don't get these people who are so anti surgery
Probably because he said this:
quote:
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.
quote:
It only bothers me when I make that certain move.
quote:
I can pickup any heavy and no issue, I can squat and bend fine..Only when I twist is there an issue.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:05 pm to Paige
quote:
used to work for him and he's the best most honest neurosurgeon you could ask for with a high success rate. That's why I don't get these people who are so anti surgery
I am anti-back surgery because I have seen several of my friends ruined because of it. I would say do it as a last resort. If it's just because of your golf swing you better start collecting stamps. You are probably finished playing golf anyway surgery or no surgery.
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 7:10 pm to Ric Flair
Maybe the laminectomy would leave his spine too unstable
And I think people with bad results either had a bad surgeon or got the wrong surgery. Probably both
And I think people with bad results either had a bad surgeon or got the wrong surgery. Probably both
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:36 pm to Paige
quote:
I don't get these people who are so anti surgery
Surgery for back pain with a lack of radicular signs usually has the same long-term benefit as not having surgery. The pain returns in a large number of the surgery patients. It also goes away in many of the non-surgical patients. With no acute neurological symptoms, i would recommend, at the absolute very least, 6 months of aggressive PT before even considering injections, much less a major invasive surgery. Surgery should be a last option after all others have been given their fair share of time and effort. Quick fixes almost never work for anything in life. It holds true for the human spine as well.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:38 pm to Hopeful Doc
Again, wrong surgery/surgeon if no neurological symptoms
Posted on 4/13/14 at 7:43 pm to Paige
Even the best surgeons aren't immune to mistakes/bad outcomes. The small size and major consequences of operating in that area are well-known and accepted risks. The rate of mistakes will be lower with the better surgeons, but they still make plenty of them.
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 7:55 pm to Hopeful Doc
Well I can only speak from past experiences
Actually I've seen second opinions where my doctor wouldn't have done surgery, would've done a different surgery or a better surgery
Actually I've seen second opinions where my doctor wouldn't have done surgery, would've done a different surgery or a better surgery
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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