With all the wealth of information around here, someone can probably give me the low down.

I have managed to send three disks into my spinal column area, all near the bottom of my back. Docs say they first want to send me for some shots of something into the vertabrae. After that, if needed, they want to cut me and remove the protruding portions of the disks. Supposedly, this will take the pain and numbness away. (I hope).

My question, has anyone had this sort of thing done? If so, any regrets?

Right now they have me taking muscle relaxers, Super strenth Ibuprofin, and some horse size pain killers. All are on the lower levels of usage as I do have to carry weapons. The good thing, is work is not giving me any grief about limited postings. I get to send the young ones out to do the heavy work, but 36 lbs of pistol and rifle does get a little heavy by the end of the shift.



I welcome any inputs ya got.

Ed

 

I'm 28 and had back surgery 3 years ago.

First, I avoided the shots. They are a temp fix. That fix might last 2 weeks or 2 years, but that does not undo the damage. I wanted something permanent.

I had two ruptured disks in my lower back - don't recall the exact disks - and had surgery in Houston.

My advice is go to a larger city and find a doctor that specializes in lower back surgery. The local doctors here in Lufkin, TX wanted to cut me open, fuse vertibrae, add some screws & a plate, 5 days in the hospital and 12 weeks recovery before returning to light duty work.

Me being so young I figured there had to be a better way, and I got on the internet and found a neurosurgeon in Houston that specialized in lower back. His name was Warren Parker and he apparently pioneered this procedure where he uses a scope to do the surgery outpaitient. I qualified for the surgery, my wife rolled me in to the hospital on a Tuesday morning at 6AM (I could not walk from the pain) and I walked out of the Methodist Hospital that evening all the way to the parking garage with ZERO pain that evening about 7 and my wife drove me home. Don't get me wrong the next two days I hurt like heck from the procedure, but I was back to work on light duty the next Monday. The numbness and pain down my legs was gone and has never come back. I also do back exercises and walk alot to help as well.

I'm not saying that you will qualify for something like that or even find a doc in your area, but be diligent in your search for a doctor that is the least invasive and has the best references. Your back is the most important and most neglected part of your body. Do it right the 1st time.

 

Check with some ciropractors and such for an "acuspina" (sp?) machine. I work with several guys who were at the point of not walking due to back problems and are now in full recovery WITHOUT surgery.

my.02

 

Her's a start. From Google

http://www.accuspinadenver.com/faq.html

 

I'm just like good 'ol boy. 28 and had lower back surgery 3 years ago. Being military at the time I got the opened up, fused, screwed approach and have not been the same since. Spent 3 days in the hospital, 10 weeks in a 2-piece plastic back brace that covered from armpits to hips, 12 weeks convalescent leave and still the same amount of pain as before the surgery. Morale of the story, think before you leap.

 

I have had two -cervical- neck discs removed and fused.
One- lumbar -low back- fusion.
All were done from the FRONT. All were one night in the hospital, go home and rest a week, come see the doctor and go back to work.
The low back was endoscopic surgery. camera, and small tools. I had 2 cuts about 2 1/2 inches long, and 5 about 1/2 inch.
However this has all changed.
They are now using artifical discs that have a superb record. Find a doctor who has done these.
My next one will be an artificial. I think it is called a Prestige disc.

 

here's some interesting info:

http://backpaintalk.com/bbs/386.html

 

Thanks for the input guys. There are some very good docs in the area, so as you suggest, a little research is in order.

After reading all I can find, the next discussion with the docs will address your ideas also. Next Friday I should have the referals set up. Being retired military does have its advantages, but speedy medical help ain't one of them.

Thanks for the information.

Ed

 

Best of luck!!!
I am very fortunate to live in an area that has a strong medical group.

 

I also wish you luck. From the bad luck I have seen with family and friends who had back and neck operations I say avoid the surgery untill it is totally needed.

 

The doctor will use surgery as a last option.

 

If you want to go for or look into the artificial disk, Dr. Pettine in Loveland Colorado is a must. He co-invented, designed and patented the Maverick™ Artificial Disc, a new technology for neck and back intervertebral disc replacement. I work in the Health Care field and would recommend him. My dad is coming up from Texas to have the procedure done here. There web site is www.rmaortho.com

 

my back hurts, and my experience is folks who have old style surgery are never right again

Doctors are like mechanics: some are good, some are bad,
some read literature and keep on the newest equipment,
some went to school in 1970 and have that frameset in mind.

here is my deal:
-Tell Doc back hurts like HECK
-Doc dopes me up. NOT a cure, not useful for daily life
-go to Chiro. T5 is out of alignment. snap crackle pop. good for few days.
-6 months of temporary relief

-quit going Chiro due other events.
-pain returns with a vengeance, migraines, pulled muscles, stiffness.

-buddy recommends deep tissue massage.
-old lady with hands of steel almost makes me cry (no joke)
-finds both muscles crossing hip are BEHIND the butt bone & hooked over the pelvic crest.
-she sticks her elbow in there, pushes that muscle over the pelvic crest and back onto the SIDE of my hip.
-WOOOO HOOO. I can touch my toes, stretch, run, anything.
-she finds two muscles crossed over each other at the T-5 every time I go in.
-she fixes the hip & the T-5 every time now.


-alternate chiro and deep tissue. permanent relief


here is my beef: why don't the DR, and the Chiro both recommend a deep tissue massage to someone in chronic pain?
is it because they don’t' "believe" in each other?

my chiro has a little girl who does massage - but she doesn't have the depth of experience (or hand strength) to put me back in shape. that's like a "relaxation" massage.


I would definitely go see a deep tissue massage person who has been doing it over 5 years. it's amazing how good it feels

Chiro CAN'T put your joints back in place if your muscles pull them back out five minutes after you leave. I could never figure out why a Chiro adjustment would last 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days. however, the chiro lasts until you do whatever "bad" repetitive motion pulls the muscles in a bad way, they pull the joint and SPROINK it pops into the bad position, and it hurts again.


hth?

 

I had back surgery my junior year of High school after getiing the needle in the back. IN hindsight, I wish I would have tried a few more things before surgery. Ever since then, if my back starts to hurt, sleeping on a heating pad usually helps it get better. Trips to the chiorprater have also helped. My buddy swears by accupuncture but I personally haven't tried it.

No one thing is the best for everyone. You may need surgery as the doctor says but I would try all of the easier, cheaper stuff (massage, chiorpractor, sleeping on a heating pad, etc.) first so at least you don't ever have to look back and wish you tried it before surgery.

just my $.02,
good luck.

 

Ditto! I know no one that has had major back surgery that is close to 100%! Things are probably getting better all the time but be cautious. If you have to...you have to!
I have sucessfully avoided recommended surgery for over 10 yrs through Chiropractors (and a water bed). Can't stand on my feet for more than 2-3 hrs, and can't lift more than 50 lbs without probably paying a price, but 98% of the time I'm good to go!
Biggest regret is pain when leaning over CTD fender to work under hood. Took me 3 days, with lots of brakes, to install my twins.

'Sherod' - Your situation sounds more serious than mine so maybe surgery is called for? Good Luck and get lots of input first...... just like you are doing!

RJ