spinal fusions anyone?
458040
I am a radiologic technologist, and I do a whole lot of MRIs.  Weekly, I scan people who have already had the spinal surgery which is going to make them "all better."  Yet, here they are back at radiology having more scans because they are no better off and sometimes even worse off.  I do not see the same phenomena with neck surgery.  But, for some reason, lumbar surgery has a high rate of failure.  I also have 3 HNPs with DDD and spinal stenosis.  The only time I would consider lumbar spine surgery is if I thought only death could be worse.  I would make sure I have tried EVERYTHING else....physical therapy, exercise, water aerobics, massage, acupuncture etc.  Once you have spinal surgery, you cannot "take it back."  You are stuck with your decision.  Of course, I could be biased, because I never see the patients who have had successful surgery.  They don't come in for scans because they are "better."  But I have seen enough to know that I would really have to be bedridden and totally out of options to consider surgery.  Good luck to you!
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.
513529
I had a knotted up nerve in my neck one time that was driving me insane.  The doctor gave  me some pain killer but that just made the room spin, so finally out of desperation I went to a chiropractor for the frist time in my life.  He crunched my back in several places and then practically twisted my head off from both sides.  The amazing thing was that within minutes I could feel a noticable difference and after going back a couple of more times it fixed it completely, something pain killers cannot do.
686848
My daughter just had spinal surgery for Scoliosis (March 15th) and she felt the same way.  She cried, started staying in her room, didn't want to eat.  But we kept talking her through it.  I don't know what kind you're having, but if it's the same kind, she's now happier about how she looks, as she kinda looked chubby before-- but it turned out it was her spine pushing things in directions they weren't supposed to go.  She's taller now.  She doesn't hurt as much (she had a severe curve).  She's wearing different clothes because she's proud of herself, some now.  Just remember that if it won't make you better, they wouldn't be wanting to do it.  They only do back surgery if it's warranted.  It also doesn't take as long to heal as it used to, so you will be up and around ASAP.  It's scary, but in the hands of good doctors, you'll be better than before, so look forward to it and keep your chin up.  Talk to your family and ask for a hug when you need one.  If you can't sleep, find out who you can talk to when you need some one on one in the night or maybe even ask your doctor for some meds to help, if possible.  Good luck and blessings!
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
199959
I would seriously consider going to a chiropractor. you have so many vital bones and your spinl cord in your back. do one thing wrong and bad things could happen.
727980
OH MY GOD\n\nthose bring back possibly the worst short term pain memories of my life. I had the same problem. Two severe herniated discs. I went through a year of physical therapy, swimming, strong back muscles, no activity, lots of activity, braces, pills, basically anything you can think of. \n\nI went to the doctor at one point and said that I have two options. Surgery or epidural steroid injections. I took the ESI like anybody would and it was done in a rush after they got the doctor who performed this right before he left to go home. I dont know if this was normal but they only put 3 numbing needles. Then I easily went through the worst pain of my life. The needles into the epidural space are just immensly, undescribably painful. I was put in a wheelchair afterwards and then they said it will get better worse before it gets better. After 2 or 3 days it did get better to some extent, I could walk longer, stand longer, etc. In the end, the ESI did not work for me. They only served as an immense surge of pain. \n\n\nSince your husband already has 4 discs herniated, I would go for surgery. It is painless, quick, just so much better. I would much rather live a full life rather than a half life filled with steroid injections
655
My sister had a herniated disc and had 2 surgeries on her lower back. Not sure which disc, but she is still in a pain.  Not a lot, but constant, and she can't do things that agitated it for very long...like ride in a bumpy car, walk around the mall, etc.
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.
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.
180424
Never heard of anything like this in my practice before.  If you haven't already, see your OB.  If he/she doesn't know what it is then see a spine specialist.  Good luck.
904196
Yes.  I had two at the same time in the lower back.  After weighing all the options I went with surgery.  I got two opinions and both were the same - physical therapy will not cure the problem.  When the disk is herniated it has compressed and the actual "jelly" is making contact with the spinal nerve.  The disk must be trimmed in order to relieve the pain.  \n\nI had the surgery in a spine clinic with an expert surgeon.  With my insurance I was out about $1500.00 out of over $25,000.00 worth of treatment.  I was walking within 8 hours of the surgery and doing physical therapy the next day.  Within 8 weeks I was back to work and within six months I was fully healed.  I have had no trouble since then.\n\nThe hardest part was forcing myself to do the therapy.  That is where healing and recovery really takes place.  It can be painful to walk the first few weeks, but you MUST DO IT!  Otherwise you will have complications.  Kicking the pain meds was hard, too, but I dropped them cold turkey and had only one bad day.\n\nMy advice would be to pick a surgeon with a good reputation for doing the procedure you need.  Secondly, make sure it is done in a facility with a low infection rate. You can research that on the net.  \n\nFinally, do the surgery.  Therapy is just prolonging the inevitable.
964094
I have degenerative disc disease as well. I have had 5 lumbar fusions as a result. Although each was done to repair a different disc space. I do not regret any of them. The pain that I had before the surgery was almost unbearable. The pain that extended down my leg is now gone & I can stand up straight again. This choice however should be made by your mom hon. At her age there are bound to more risks involved. On one hand I know that you want her quality of life to improve. But you should know that it can take a full year or better to recover from this type of surgery.
647902
My wife had low lumbar fusion on the L5 S1 disk and it was very painful for her and it has not helped her in any way. She says if she would have known this she would have never had the operation and just lived with the pain.
107101
Have you seen a doctor or had x-rays yet?\nAs opposed to just staying home hurting and doing nothing...\n\nI had back surgery 3 years ago and did not get well even after they straightened my spine and moved the crushed nerve...\nThe problem was the damage was already done, so no amount of surgery would fix it...\nI am now disabled for life and I still don't know what caused it...\nPeople ask me if I was in a car accident or took a bad fall and I say no...\nMy doctor says it was because of calcium deposits on my bones and the bone spur growth caught and crushed the nerve...\nSo I would recommend seeing several doctors and getting several x-rays before surgery...\nAlso see a Pain Management Doctor, he will prescribe the right meds for your pain and you could avoid surgery...
1117145
Depends on the age and general health of the person and what type of procedure they used to facilitate the fusion. I know a 72 year old female who had a fusion with stabilizing metal rods and they used her own bone harvested from her iliac crest. Count on a year to 16 months before you feel like your old self if this same technique was used. She also had to wear a stiff brace and received no physical therapy. It might not be so bad for a younger person.
1088066
I have Spina Bifida. You already answered my question, now I'm answering yours. I have been looking for someone with Spina Bifida to meet and be friends with. My e-mail is rokrgy@yahoo.com if you want to e-mail me.