Has anyone had Neurosurgery for back problems & if so, what is the BEST procedure?
141950
Agree with the previous poster. If it is a herniated disc then microdiscectomy. Its gets complicated if you have multiple discs or degenerative disc disease.  A fusion (screws and rods) are usually definitively needed if you have a spondylolisthesis where one of the vertebral body's is misaligned.  A fusion and its indications are sometimes controversial.  Get a least 3 opinions and get check out your surgeons.
663263
I have had a spinal tap, and several spinal anethesia's for surgeries. I know that if you have many, you can cause even more pain, as I now have low back pain from them. I'm just curious, have you been to a chiropractor for your problems? I know that if your vertebre are misaligned, that can cause massive pain, and numbness. Also try some massage to see if that helps, if you can. I hear you on the surgery though, I wouldn't do it either unless it was absolutely necessary. Good luck and I hope you feel some relief soon.
702145
The operation is called a Lamenectomy or Discectomy .\nThis involevs removing part if this disc that is hitting the nerve.\nYour husband will be looking at backpain the rest of his life ,especially if he developes Spinal Stenosis.
359898
It really depends on your age and health. If you have \nsound bone in your spine, doctors can use screws and bracing to support your back. There are new processes every day it seems.
1060898
You are fortunate in a way that it was seen now. Most kids get diagnosed at age 11-14.  There are a number of things that can be done.  \nSurgery is a choice when the others are not giving proper results.  The people that I know who have had surgery have had the fusion of multiple vertebrae.  This stops the progression at that location, but it is one that left them on their back for an extended period of time and in a cast for several months.  Long term outcomes depend on the person and the amount of fusion that was done, but you can expect problems above and below the fusion area to develop later in life.  Surgery of this sort will not be an option for your son at this time.\nThe bracing and body jackets have come a long way in the last number of years.  This is one place to look at this point.  The aim is to keep the spine as straight as possible so that it doesn't grow up "bent".\nThere are a number of exercises that can be done to strengthen the back muscles to hold the back straight.\nThe biggest thing is to help keep your son's spine mobile and to encourage him to stand straight.\nIf scoliosis is properly taken care of, you can expect a normal life with less pain and mobility issues than otherwise.\nAll of this information is available from your doctor, physiotherapist or orthotist.
568232
I had that done. I was feeling better INSTANTLY, like someone flipped the pain switch back off. The disc was pressing on a nerve and I was in SO much pain prior to surgery. Hope your dad gets the same relief I did.\n\nTime off work will depend on what sort of a job he has. I don't have a physically demanding job and was back at work in a week.
114092
Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss of a family member. Upon my many researches on surgery for chiari malformation,never have I seen anything about a spinal cord uncoiling near the brain stem. It sounds like your family has a good case against the place that did the operation. There are not a lot of places that have experience with this type of surgery. I have chosen not to have the surgery because of the fact that there are so many unknowns and many patients have had to have surgeries redone many times.  The one place that I have heard many good things about is The Chiari Institute in New York. If I was ever forced to have the procedure done,that would be the place to go to.  I hope you have success in getting the answers you deserve.
1132016
6 years and counting. Best thing I ever did. If you consider it, find a good Surgeon who has done many thousands.
794936
I would probably listen to what the surgeon is saying.  He has obviously performed this type of procedure on many patients before, with success.  Some surgeons have before and after photographs, you could ask if your surgeon has any?\n\nIt is natural for you as a parent to want the best and to be worried about the outcome. Relax a little I am sure everything will be fine.\n\nGood luck!
451991
Doctors can't fix the back because the back muscles, bones and spine are so intricate that if they were to fix correct it with surgery it would not heal as it should to give good results.  This is why they need to see the back in very bad shape to operate.  Because the spine runs right through the back there is a higher risk that they would actually make your back worse if something went wrong in the surgery.  people have herniated disks, ruptured disks etc that give them back pain because the bones are rubbing on each other when they should normally be cushioned by the disks.  Medicine and researchers have not found a way to go in and repair the disk and adjust it and put everything back together.  Also when they fix it it doesn't mean that the disk won't rupture or herniate again.  Even though you may be in a lot of pain, believe me, it could be worse.   I do now.
245336
If it's been going on that long, what do the doctor's say?\nLow back problems include spondylitis, lumbar stenosis, fractures of the vertebrae, inter-vertebrae disc problems, and possibly something pressing on the spine.\nThere's a mountain of information on any of the internet's quality medical websites like http://www.webmd.com
547025
First hand experience!  I went from a G cup (seriously!) to a D in December of 2004.  The surgeon took off 13 pounds from me - he said it was the largest he had ever done.  I had three compressed vertebrae, was in constant pain and was tired of being gawked at.  By far the best thing I've ever done.  I was off work for three weeks.  The first couple of days are painful, especially if you drainage tubes.  Because the tubes are inserted into you, shifting positions can make you sore.  They give you narcotic painkillers and your best bet is rest.  I propped myself up on pillows, watched movies and just slept.  My surgery was performed on Friday.  My drainage tubes were removed on Wednesday (warning, when they pull them, it hurts like hades, but only briefly, once they're gone, the pain is pretty much over!).  I took painkillers on Wednesday and Thursday morning.  After that, it was plain Tylenol!  I was a bit tired, but it really didn't hurt.  Because of the stitches, they don't want you exercising or lifting anything.  My Mum came to stay with me and took care of everything.  \n\nThe relief in my back was immediate.  Within two weeks post-surgery, my vertebrae had completely decompressed.  I do have some scarring on my sides and underneath because he removed a huge amount of tissue, but the results are so stunningly beautiful!  I still look in the mirror all the time and admire them, they're perky and cute!  Its amazing how  wonderful it feels to have someone look in my eyes when they're talking to me now.  Good luck to you!  It will change your life.
1173102
The first thing you should expect, or in some cases ask for, is physical therapy. It is entirely possible that by implementing a physical therapy regiment into your daily routine will alleiviate this pain completely.\nHowever, aside from that, surgery can be, and might be, an option. \nYour neurosurgeon will help you make the right decision as far as that goes.\n\nFollowing 4 laminectomies at L4-L5 over 2 years time, I've since had two fusions in my cervical spine (c5-c6). The first was due to a herniated disk, which following my previous spinal surgeries was labelled due to "degenerative spinal disease with nerve root disorder."\nI had no problems following this surgery, and was able to resume most of my lifestyle. The pain that was there was gone after the surgery.\nHowever, an auto accident about 3 years later left the fusion cracked, requiring another one from the opposite side of my neck. I believe the neurosurgeon called it a "lucency" - they could see light thru the crack in my fusion on the x-ray.\n\nThe bottom line is this: the surgery helped. I just had bad luck and needed it again. I am mobile, I am active, and I do get around fine now -- but I have an increased pain level beyond comprehension of most people on a daily basis.\nBut as to your question, what will a neurosurgeon do for you? Help you decide if surgery is the right choice for you or not.\nMy recommendation? Try phyical therapy first. Surgery should be your last option. Once you have your spine operated on, there's a good chance you'll need it again someday.\nDiscuss your questions and fears beforehand as well. Your neurosurgeon will answer any of your questions beforehand.\n\nAnd if you do have the operation, good luck to you. I suggest a bone graph out of your hip rather than using bone transplant from a cadaver. The increased pain in your hip is temporary, and it significantly reduces the chance for the fused bone to be rejected.
791317
If you have a worn disk in your back, then you should NOT have manipulations done - you're much more likely to suffer irreversible damage.  If the chiropractor is doing low grade gentle adjustments, then that should be fine.\n\nAny bladder or bowel symptoms caused by something pressing on the nerves supplying them in the back is treated as a medical emergency - it usually means there is a central protrusion or problem in the spinal cord, and is extremely serious.\n\nYour MRI would have ruled that out - assuming it was your back that was scanned.\n\nIf the nerve supply to the bladder is intact, it's highly unlikely your bladder symptoms are related to your back problems.\n\nYou don't say whether you have children or what your general history is.  I suggest you get referred for urodynamics - a series of test to see how the bladder copes as it fills and empties.  This should throw some light on the subject.  These tests usually need to be ordered by a gynaecologist - so request  a referral to one.\n\nGood luck - be careful about what you allow to be done to your back - it has to last you a long time, and it's already damaged.
172487
I had a boyfriend with back problems - you really can hurt yourself if you do it the wrong way. \n\nAsk your doctor or look on the internet for suggested positions.
939194
I would ask the doctor if running a MRI on her to see if she has any back disc problems, then if she does physical therapy is good, if that dosent help with the nerve being pinched she may need to see a nurosurgean for more options, I had the same problem, waited to long and now have a fused lower spine,
566751
Sounds great. However, I know a friend of mine eventually had surgery for breast reductuion (shame), because it was troubling her. I think she had back aches, but I am not sure - also don't really know what size she was.