Hello Guys, Likely a well versed topic, but couldn't find a current thread, interested in others's experience. Ive been having severe pain on and off for the past two years at least concentrated in my lower back, and eventually had MRI's done to get to the source of the problem. The scans reveal a severe disc degeneration l5-s1 and the orthopaedic surgeon reckons i'm a good candidate for an anterior lumber fusion. This op scares the daylight out of me, but truth is I cant carry on the way things are now. I can ride mtb still currently, but have to keep myself dosed with prescription drugs to manage the pain. Cant surf anymore for fear of spasms and drownings, can swing a golf club for 9 holes max, only on heavy anti inflammatories. I cant play ruff house with the kids or pick up anything too heavy, and Im constantly in some form of pain. Im mostly a desk jockey at work, and constantly having to manage the way I exist around my lower back issue. Ive also realised that i fall into the "lazy" category when it comes doing the daily exercises set out by the bio-kenetisist and hang my head in shame. Different medical advice from different professionals can be confusing, my childhood doc is of the opinion that the discs may fuse themselves over time, and we can manage the pain with some meds and cortisone injection every 3 months or so in the interim.. Or they may not.. The Biokineticist swears by getting the core strong and activated, and def no op required, the surgeon reckons lets cut you open and fuse those bad boys, hey Tiger Woods had the exact op and look at him now (jokingly..) Do you guys have any advice on a plan moving forward, has anyone tried other options like pressure release therapy ect? Has anyone else been down this road, and what did you do, was it successful? I realise that at the end of the day is probably a personal choice on how to mitigate the situation, but any pointers or advise will be most welcome. Thanks for reading
