Lower back surgery and spinal fusion ???

[johnson]

16 hours ago, WaynejG said:

Sciatica nerve pain is no joke.

I Didn't know it existed until I experienced it. Your statement is very true. It's definitely no joke !  

[johnson]

15 hours ago, eala said:

You have a herniated disc to be confirmed on MRI

That's what I suspect from researching my symptoms. MRI will be done when seeing the specialist. 

[johnson]

31 minutes ago, IMan777 said:

I am not a doctor but the L5/S1 pain I had in my leg before the surgery was spot on with this chart even down to my little toe where S1 ends...

This image is spot on ! Even my right nut is aching !

[Dogs]

On 11/3/2021 at 5:28 PM, Lexx said:

I am so happy I found this Thread. Had a Spinal Fusion L5 S1 in February this year, at the Spinal Clinic in PTA. . It's sore as hell the first couple of weeks. I couldn't do anything on my own. Was stupid and started playing golf again ( not allowed to run anymore, and getting frustrated to just sit and walk), then my back started acting up again, and I got immense pain whenever I bent forward or standing up from my couch. So I stopped my golf immediately, (as you will see I am selling my brand new golf shoes on here????.). Will go back riding again. But i will stay on the road bike. Think its a bit better for your back than a MTB.

So i am a bit un-decided on which road bike to get. a Aero bike or a light weight bike? Was hoping one of you guys ride with either one and could shed some light.????

Keep the golf clubs...you should still be able to play.  I waited a year before I started again, although still rubbish at it.

[IMan777]

18 minutes ago, johnson said:

This image is spot on ! Even my right nut is aching !

???? I shouldn't be laughing but ouch!

Good luck. Hope you get help soon! 

[johnson]

Ok, so a lot has happened in the last 5...almost 6 weeks.

My appointment with the neurosurgeon was on 8 December so lets rewind to that day.

When I got the hospital the first thing was going for the MRI. Did that and went back to the doc. I Started explaining my situation and problems in detail since everything started around six months ago. He said that some of the things I am saying does not sound good and he thinks there is more going on than meets the eye and sent me to see a neurologist to do some tests on my right leg's muscles and nerves. Did that and went back to the doc. Without looking at any results he started examining me.

He immediately diagnosed two big problems. First was that my entire right leg was smaller/skinnier/thinner than the left side due to muscles not functioning properly. The second was that my right knee and ankle had no reflex when testing it with the rubber hammer thingie due to nerves not functioning at all. He then had a look at the report from the neurologist which confirmed the nerve and muscle problem. When looking at the MRI images it was clearly visible that a herniated disk at L5-S1 level of my spine was completely pinching/obstructing my right nerve canal shut.

At that stage I could barely walk, had almost no sleep for weeks and was popping pain medication like a drug addict. Remember this was Wednesday 8 December. I Asked him when was the soonest I could get the operation. He said the problem was that Friday 10 December is their last theatre day for the year but my situation is an emergency and they will make it happen on Friday.

The operation was done that Friday 15:00 the afternoon. From recovery I went to high care where I remained until Monday afternoon when I was transferred to the normal ward. I Spent the rest of the week there and was discharged on Saturday 18 December. In the high care you get a regular dose of proper pain meds so I didn't experience any pain. I Was measured before the operation for a back brace to be made. That Saturday morning (11 Dec) the physiotherapist came to see me. She helped to fit the back brace and helped me out of the bed. I Started walking literately 16 hours after the operation. Walking with the physio helping and guiding obviously and short distances around the high care ward only. By the time I got to the normal ward on Monday I could get up out of bed, walk around and get back into bed on my own .

In the normal ward I was offered pain meds four times a day (every six hours). I Only took the pain meds at night witch also helped to sleep a bit better.

I Got home on 18 December and up to now where I'm standing writing this I have had zero pain and haven't needed to take any form of pain meds. Nothing, not even as much as a Panado. I'm wearing the back brace 99% of the day, sleeping with it as well. The only time I remove it is the 20 min it takes me to shower and get dressed in the morning. I Am only allowed to stand, walk or lie down. No sitting, only on the pony and keeping it as short as possible. 

I Started walking for some exercise as soon as I got home. The physio said that walking is ok and it won't do any harm as long as there is no discomfort or pain. I Started doing 1-2km walks and steadily extended it. At the moment I comfortably take 5-6km walks 3 to 4 times a week. Since the day of my operation I have lost 8kg.

Lastly, this is what was done in the operation and I will also attach pics of the after x-ray. The herniated disk was removed. Synthetic spacers were then  placed between the two vertebrae. The two vertebrae was then fused using four screws and two rods that is made from titanium. Bone was then harvested from my right hip and transplanted around the screws and rods. At some stage the neve canal and nerves was checked for any permanent damage which luckily was not the case.

At The moment everything is going very well and I'm seeing the doc for the first follow up on 26 January. The operation was done at Pretoria East hospital. The neurosurgeon is Dr. Pieter Slabbert and the spinal orthopedic surgeon is Dr. Johan Nell. These are outstanding docks and I would recommend them to anybody who has a similar problem. The total cost of the operation was R223k.                      

[IMan777]

Glad everything went well with the operation.  Good luck with the recovery!  Please just take it easy and listen to the Drs and Physios. Walking really helped me a lot too. I am on 4 months now since my operation and feeling great! Taking it slow but getting back to full strength and everything. Aiming for easy Cape Town Cycle Tour on my mountie. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by IMan777