My husband has had a lower lumbar fusion and..?
407293
well i know first hand what he is going thru, i also had surgery in L4 and now the scar tissue is hardened and pushing on the nerves, it really does hurt, i was told that further operations would only further the scaring, he could try going to a pain clinic and get the injections in his back, i have done that but it didnt help me much and other people i have talked to swears by it,i also took the soma and codien among other crap like that,i now have 4 discs in my back shot due to an injury last summer, but the pain clinics can and do help, they know what is best in your personal situation, and give proper meds that dont make you feel crapy, as far as the tens meters they only annoyed me, and did nothing to ease the pain,i have lived with pain since 1993 and all one can do is to try and cope with it,one has a hard time sleeping when u hurt so bad\ni would suggest he go to a pain clinic cos they are so much more advanced nowadays\n\ngood luck\n\nADD;\ni also have two discs in my neck removed and held together with a titanium plate, ,i waited to long to get medical help, i hope he dont keep putting this off cos it will only get worse
1044201
Two of my patients have got spinal surgery in India.One was treeated for spondylolistheis by spinal fusion and the other for disc protrusion by microdiscectomy.Both of them are very happy with the results.Their pain and other symptoms due to nerve compression have totally gone.\n\nSpinal Surgery is very cheap in India.There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges spine surgery for foreigners in India.They are called the Forerunners Healthcare.I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.I have also read that they arrange financing for american and canadian patients as spine surgery is not covered by insurance.They also have photos pasted of their International patients.You can checkout their website.\n\nThe cost savings are incredible.As a doctor i personally believe that your spine surgery can be easily handled in India as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world.The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.both my patients had gone to India through the forerunners healthcare company.The spinal fusion patient stayed in INdia for about 20 minutes and the microdiscectomy patient for about a week.hope this helps
562889
hi. i was discharged yesterday after having surgery for my sciliosis. the surgeons put two metal rods on either side of my spine to keep my spine straight. after that i ahd to have two more unexpected operations which resulted me in staying in hospital for two weeks. i know what it feels like. if you want to just talk about it don't hesitate to e-mail me.
520902
i had surgery five years ago on my back they took out a dis and replaced it with a bone. and it went well. though i still have back pain,but not do to the bone replacement,because of something else. I healed fine and was able to get up and move around within two weeks. best of luck. with your surgery. I;m sure it will be fine.
571284
You have my sympathy..back problems are so debilitating,I know,having suffered for many years,ranging from Sciatica to a Prolapsed Disc.\nMy advise to you would be,plenty of rest with a cold compress on the affected area,pain-relief and anti-inflammatory and a cream/ointment designed for muscle strain etc.\nMaybe you could ask someone to massage some Tea Tree and Lavender blended with a good carrier oil such as,Almond,into the lower back using as much pressure as is comfortable for you.\nIf any of the above don't improve your condition then I suggest you visit a Chiropractor or see your GP and ask for an x-ray just to rule out anything more serious such as disc problems or trapped nerves.\nI wish you a speedy recovery and hope you are feeling better very soon.
714720
I can tell you from first hand experience it's no fun. I ruptured L5-S1 many years ago and had to have surgery. I'd say I recovered to about 95% after wards. There are some new techniques now that you may have a better chance of staying healthy than I did. I have since ruptured L3-4 and had another surgery. Now I have degenerative disc disease and have to take meds every day. I tried a Chiropractor with no success. I'd do whatever the doctor said if I were you. See a good neurosurgeon.
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.
947032
YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!  ME!  I had the Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted and it helped me so much.  Unfortunately my body HATED it and rejected it and I had to have it removed.  My surgeon said he had never seen a reaction like mine, so I know it's not normal.\n\nI have had chronic sciatica down my left leg and into my foot for 14 years.  I had surgery to correct a ruptured disc, but it took so long for the doctors to diagnose the bad disc that by then I had damaged the nerve.  Surgery helped with some of the back pain but never helped with the leg pain.  My most recent MRI shows scar tissue wrapped around the nerve root. Surgery really isn't an option because it will just cause more scar tissue to form.\n\nI wish you much luck and good health.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
926472
as long as he can get on a plane and sit that long.... but when he comes to CA he won't be covered under medicaid or anything for like 6 months, so make sure that's squared away before you do anything. A shattered vertebra, if it was treated with a vertebroplasty...which i think they usually do, it's just like super glue pumped in to hold the bone together...those work really well and are set within a few hours.... the hospital stay might be a day or two until the patient can handle walking around and all their stuff is stable....good luck
498115
I think he needs to see his physician about that.  It seems a little odd, probably normal, but I would check with his Dr.
711729
yes my husband worked as a route salesman for yrs and he had 1 ruptured herniated disks he went thru with the surgery and was up and walking shortly after the operation i couldnt believe it only u need to take it ez for several wks after the operation so far so good dont suffer with that terrible pain no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
238001
In mild cases there may be no symptoms at all.  But in more advanced forms, there is severe low back pain when in the erect position and on bending, with the pain radiating to the legs.  The displaced vertebra interferes with nerve roots in that area.  Mild cases require no treatment.  Severe cases may require fusion of the vertebral segments with the bone grafting; less severe symptoms can be relieved by a specially fitted corset.
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.
1085072
My fiance has it and has had a lamenectomy and in January had a fusion operation.He also had an accident so there were other problems but,basically the surgery didn't help much,however he is on some medications that are really helping the pain.He sees a pain management doctor so if ur not,you will need to so that you can receive proper meds.Hydrocodone is very mild and doesn't help pain like that very much.He is on Oxycontin and Roxicodone.He is on a very high does,however.80mgs of Oxycontin 3 times a day and 30mgs of Roxicodone 3 times a day.It's quite alot but smaller doses would probably be beneficial to you.Good luck,I understand as I've seen the pain he has been in.
308578
in·vo·lu·tion (nv-lshn) A progressive decline or degeneration of normal physiological functioning occurring as a result of the aging process. Also called catagenesis.\nThis is an illness that he has no control over and can be a very difficult thing for you as his wife to deal with. Can I make a suggestion, take him to a Homeopath, they deal very well with such things as Meloncholy and they will treat him not just for the condition but all of him.\nie: his likes, dislikes, sleep pattern, fobias, eating pattern, times of the day and night when he feels worse etc. I have studied 2 years of Homeopathy and have seen miricles  with this wonderful natural medicine (even over night when the right remedy is given). I cannot express how much I believe Homeopathic medicine will help him. If you like, email me and I will give you some great examples of what I have seen Homeopathy cure...its amazing. Good luck hunni and stay strong, he is lucky to have you!. Big Hugs.
657364
First of all, KimKim that is way too much info.  More than what she is asking.\n\nCall your doctor. I've had 2 lumbar punctures done.  The most important thing is that you have to remain lying down for almost five days and even several hours after it is done. Also drink lots of water. My doc had me laying in the exam room for about five hours afterwards.  They took me out in a wheelchair then put the seat down in the car.  You HAVE to keep your head down.  DO NOT LIFT YOUR HEAD!!!  Even when you get up to go to the rest room, keep your head bent down.  I was even eating my meals laying with my head over the end of the bed and having my food on the floor.  If you raise your head to soon, the air bubble that is created in the spine from where they took out the fluid travels to your brain and creates extreme headaches, nausea, vomiting.
798868
I have Sciatica and my symptoms are a numb foot and my calf feels like the muscle is pulled.  I had an MRI and its a pinched S1 nerve from a bulging disk.  I know someone else who had sciatica from a L5 herniation and nerve pinch and there was buttock and ankle soreness.  Usually sciatica goes lower than just the buttocks but not always.  My Doc told me that it is possible to injure a disk by sneezing or vomiting if you already have a weakness there.  Also, many times its just muscle related and goes away with time.  He might want to try massage, or talk to his Doc about getting muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory meds if he doesn't get better.  The next step is an MRI diagnosis if it doesn't respond any in a few weeks. I was told that it usually takes about 6 weeks to heal from a disk problem. Good luck!