People with back issues

[BeerCan]

So I am having a real hard time with my back. My leg and hip are killing me constantly, I actually had surgery on my hip because it hurt so bad. Turns out my hip was not really the issue. I did have a cam and pincer problem that was causing a cyst on my leg bone. After the surgery, I am still having pain. To be fair to the surgeon my hip was pretty messed up, but it turns out not to be the problem. So now I had a ct myelogram and the issue has become clear. I have some bad disk degeneration causing my nerves to be pinched. They want to do a laminectomy and a multi level fusion.

So I am wondering, has anyone on the board had these procedures done and are you happy with the results? I know this is a little off topic but I am trying to get as much info as I can.

Here is what some of it looks like. Doc says my spine looks pretty bad for someone my age and thinks I might have a hereditary issue.

 

[jhellwig]

That is bad. Hope they can get you feeling better.

I kinda feel you pain. I have two bulged disks that affected my siatic but physical therapy helped keep it under control.

 

[faltic]

Tried an inversion table? I have disc degeneration but not as bad as you and an occasional session on it has kept me going so far.

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: faltic
Tried an inversion table? I have disc degeneration but not as bad as you and an occasional session on it has kept me going so far.


I am scared to try inversion. I did traction at pt and I could hardly walk after it. It made me worse and doc canceled all further sessions.

 

[AirgunSavant]

I'm living it too. Doc told me to just deal with it because they couldn't fix it.
I sit against heating pad every night since the early 80's
I feel for you because it really ruins your life.
Best wishes......

 

[Ojustracing]

I tried an inversion table and personally didn't like it. You don't have to go completely inverted to see results. I have three blown discs, impingement at L5S1(completely numb back of leg down to foot, slight limp and leg weakness one particular way only), very slight impingement of L4 while laying flat on back or stomach only. L2 blown. Other discs are bulged and moderate Degenerative disc disease. My only saving grace is no pain whatsoever. 3 doctors and a surgeon cannot believe I have no pain and have never had a patient present with these symptoms. Because of just the numbness they give me 0% odds of relief with surgery. So its up to me if/when they operate. I just put up with the issues and it been just under 2 yrs

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
I'm living it too. Doc told me to just deal with it because they couldn't fix it.
I sit against heating pad every night since the early 80's
I feel for you because it really ruins your life.
Best wishes......
Get a better doctor.

Back pain is awful. I'm 22 and have sciatica, need to go back to the doctor again though and get an MRI.

I wish you well!

 

[DallasTexas]

I feel your pain too and I have been there.
I had back surgery last year in October I had issues since late 20's. Finally it became unbearable and I couldn't even walk straight. Had a very good young surgeon at TX Back Institute. I am glad I got it done. I have another issue in upper back that may get addressed later on; at 63 I am glad to be able to get around better then a lot of folks. I pray for your well being.

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: DallasTexas
I feel your pain too and I have been there.
I had back surgery last year in October I had issues since late 20's. Finally it became unbearable and I couldn't even walk straight. Had a very good young surgeon at TX Back Institute. I am glad I got it done. I have another issue in upper back that may get addressed later on; at 63 I am glad to be able to get around better then a lot of folks. I pray for your well being.


Did you have fusion? They want to do fusion and a laminectomy on me. I think I am just going to do the laminectomy now and see what happens. Doc said that will probably cure my leg pain but my back pain will remain. laminectomy is where they open up the area where the nerve root is pinched to give it more room. It is considered a less severe surgery.

From mayo clinic
Quote:
Laminectomy is surgery that creates space by removing the lamina — the back part of the vertebra that covers your spinal canal. Also known as decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

 

[DallasTexas]

I feel your pain too and I have been there.
I had back surgery last year in October I had issues since late 20's. Finally it became unbearable and I couldn't even walk straight. Had a very good young surgeon at TX Back Institute. I am glad I got it done. I have another issue in upper back that may get addressed later on; at 63 I am glad to be able to get around better then a lot of folks. I pray for your well being.

 

[crazyoildude]

Not to sound anti doctor or anything but sometimes the need for operations depends on what kind of insurance you have the better the insurance the more operations you need... If you are on medicaid it should heal itself...lol

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Not to sound anti doctor or anything but sometimes the need for operations depends on what kind of insurance you have the better the insurance the more operations you need... If you are on medicaid it should heal itself...lol


Sad but true for a lot of places. Fortunately one of my best friends is a spine doc, but non surgical. He has been helping me and is very cautious to the point of being almost in the anti fusion camp. Even my surgeon told me because of the shape of my other discs fusion will be temporary and I will be back in the future to have more surgery. I think my warranty is running out LOL

 

[Warstud]

Waxing that trailer would make my back hurt.

 

[JMJNet]

Personally, I would consult with a good chiropractor in your area.

I would not give any more advice other than that.
It is up to you.

 

[dlayman]

Personally, I wouldn't go through a laminectomy, just to be left with ongoing pain in my back. It might be a less severe surgery but it's still a major one. I'm not in the medical field, but have had back trouble including herniated disc, so have researched it a bit. Your discs look pretty bad, and worse than a simple herniation. I think you're headed for a multi-level fusion at one point or another. There just too much instability and degeneration there. If it were me, and your situation may be totally different, but I'd go for the full surgical solution now. Why go through a painful operation just to end up with ongoing pain. Also, if this is a factor, the cost will be less for both procedures being done at once than two separate surgeries. From what I've read, fusions are pretty effective for pain reduction. How old are you, height and weight?

 

[DeepFriar]

I had the disc laminectomy in two locations back in February. My case was classic stenosis (nerve squeezing) caused by disc degeneration. Completely successful in my case. It took months for me to retrain myself mentally to actually stand up straight now that the pain was gone. Now, about my knees.... I don't know much about fusion but have heard anecdotally over the years it always seems it is the last resort and not to be considered lightly which I'm sure you know. Best of luck to you on this.

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: dlayman
Personally, I wouldn't go through a laminectomy, just to be left with ongoing pain in my back. It might be a less severe surgery but it's still a major one. I'm not in the medical field, but have had back trouble including herniated disc, so have researched it a bit. Your discs look pretty bad, and worse than a simple herniation. I think you're headed for a multi-level fusion at one point or another. There just too much instability and degeneration there. If it were me, and your situation may be totally different, but I'd go for the full surgical solution now. Why go through a painful operation just to end up with ongoing pain. Also, if this is a factor, the cost will be less for both procedures being done at once than two separate surgeries. From what I've read, fusions are pretty effective for pain reduction. How old are you, height and weight?


I am considering doing it all at once. TBH I am just a bit scared, because this seems like it is going to be a forever thing. I have already been told no more ice hockey (I have not played since March) which for me is depressing. I played 2x a week and I am totally in love with the game.

I have around 3 weeks to consider my options if I want to do it all at once. I am 51, 6'3" and ~225lbs. I put on a bit of weight this year from the inactivity. FWIW I am fairly fit otherwise. I work out 3x a week and do yoga and except for my slightly heavy weight I look pretty lean. I have very strong legs from my hockey and endurance biking and I think that has helped me quite a bit.

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: DeepFriar
I had the disc laminectomy in two locations back in February. My case was classic stenosis (nerve squeezing) caused by disc degeneration. Completely successful in my case. It took months for me to retrain myself mentally to actually stand up straight now that the pain was gone. Now, about my knees.... I don't know much about fusion but have heard anecdotally over the years it always seems it is the last resort and not to be considered lightly which I'm sure you know. Best of luck to you on this.


So did you just have leg pain and no back pain? Did all of your leg pain go away afterwords? I know what you mean about standing up straight this is kinda what I look like when I stand up to walk

 

[AlanColorado]

I've been compensating for back pain almost my entire life. A couple of hereditary partially fused discs and major back trauma way back in the day when I was working construction. Probably not nearly as bad as what you are showing. But heres a couple of thoughts:

Are you on any cholesterol meds? When I was getting my physicals to retire from the Navy they put me on cholesterol meds. I forget which one it was now, but it was all over TV at the time. Shortly thereafter my back pain became severe! I didn't immediately make the connection so went through the exams, MRIs, sciatica diagnosis, etc. Finally as I was seriously contemplating the surgery, I happened to really listen to one of the drug commercials. As they were spelling out all the negative side effects they mentioned severe muscle pain and the light bulb came on. Didn't talk to any doctor- just stopped taking the meds. Less than a week later my back pain was gone. I had to try several brands and dosages to finally come up with a med that worked and didn't cause side effects.

What's you weight? If you are more than 5lbs overweight losing that excess poundage will probably do more for long term back pain relief than any surgery.

Best wishes to you.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: BeerCan
Originally Posted By: DeepFriar
I had the disc laminectomy in two locations back in February. My case was classic stenosis (nerve squeezing) caused by disc degeneration. Completely successful in my case. It took months for me to retrain myself mentally to actually stand up straight now that the pain was gone. Now, about my knees.... I don't know much about fusion but have heard anecdotally over the years it always seems it is the last resort and not to be considered lightly which I'm sure you know. Best of luck to you on this.


So did you just have leg pain and no back pain? Did all of your leg pain go away afterwords? I know what you mean about standing up straight this is kinda what I look like when I stand up to walk

Happily mine had not progessed to chronic leg pain. It was mainly dull back pain with the occasional stab down the left leg. I then had a mini-stroke in June which weakened and dulled sensation on the left side which may also cover some pain. I take my luck where I can find it.

So I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in.