Lower back surgery and spinal fusion ???

[davetapson]

If it's herniation, there is some evidence that just strengthening your back can reduce, fix that.

I'm skirting with that, and everytime I start getting issues it's because I've got lazy with exercises. 

You don't escape 30 years of bad posture sitting behind a computer screen.  Currently I work standing.  It sucks.  But beats getting a sore back.

Apparently sitting on yoga balls works, but it probably sucks more than standing.

[Andreas_187]

4 hours ago, King_Crispy said:

Don't do it. Go for a second opinion. 

You're screwed once you've gone that route

Totally agree. Doctors in SA are very quick to get you into surgery $$$$. 

Go for 2nd and 3rd opinions 

[eala]

A bad lower back very much influenced my life since i was in grade ten ,forty years ago .I was in my early twenties .My lower back got so bad that i could not tie my shoe laces or pick up my daughters .It influenced my career positively .A few opinions later that ranged from when do we book for a fusion to stop running ,golf ,lifting heavy stuff and core strengthening .Like some of the comments above i can add much the same .KEEP YOUR WEIGHT DOWN !!! STOP RUNNING !!! STOP GOLF !!! CORE STRENGTH IS KEY !!! .Laziness and overweight is directly proportionate to your symptoms .Even three kg on a 100 kg body can make a big difference .Cycling is the best exercise by far ,but include some gym and core training always .Stay away from spinal surgery as long as you can .If you have neurological fallout surgery is indicated and then usually successful .Herniated disc is not always an indication for surgery.Treat conservatively first .Yoga is probably the best exercise ever for back issues     

  

[herrowpreeze]

Mate, I have an l4/l5 complete replacement. I was basically a cripple before. Couldnt get up, ride,and constanly jacked on oxy.

Can honestly say having the complete replacement changed my life. Since the opp, Ive been able to ride my bike, take falls. No problems what so ever.

Fusion can be a slippery road to more and more ops but sometimes is the only options.

But personally having the complete replacement was a game changer, im definitely not the athlete i was, but at least im an athlete now

[TomR]

I’ve had three surgeries; laminectomy, microdiscectomy, and finally a prosthetic disc replacement surgery. I didn’t have the option for a passive treatment as my disc had ruptured and not just herniated. If the passive route is an option, I would suggest that you exhaust it.. 

 

My first surgery was at 23. My last surgery was at 27. I have been living with the prosthetic disc for 10 years now. I have been able to live a very active and normal life. I’d consider myself a strong cyclist, and a pretty good golfer. I run occasionally, but this depends on how the back feels, and running only started again a couple of years ago. 

In my opinion the most important aspect of these kinds of surgeries is the rehab and discipline. It’s a tough road, but not too scary if you do all the right things.

 

Last thought…  I was advised to seek multiple opinions and be very wary of a surgeon that wants to fuse the spine. I feel that I got lucky finding the surgeon that was offering the prosthetic disc replacement surgery. It gave me my physical life back. 

 

[IMan777]

 

Quote

 

I had a laminectomy on disk at L5/S1 in 2019 after many years of proper abuse and a serious stupid CrossFit accident. Everything was great after the surgery but I really abused my back again and everything went bad so quickly and I had a L5/S1 fusion on the 10th of September this year and so far everything is going great. What needed to be fixed back in 2019 is now finally fixed.

Quick recap as to why I got the surgery: It happened so quickly. I had a great 27K training trailrun in the mountains the Saturday and felt great. The Sunday i played touch rugby and felt great. No issues or anything. Monday morning I woke up with extreme pain down my whole left leg. (Sciatica). No back pain but the pain down my leg was unbearable. Pain just got worse and I was stuck in the same position unable to move for 7 hours. Emergency trip to hospital and after MANY MANY drugs ???? I was able to lie down and they took an MRI and my disk almost completely popped out and was pressing on my nerve. The Drs believe that the laminectomy in 2019 never worked/healed and the disk just leaked out more and more until it almost exploded.

Luckily I have many close friends and family in the medical field and after 10 different opinions I made peace with my decision and had the surgery! The surgeons were great and we they answered all my thousands of questions. My two biggest concerns was not being able to train again and having more surgery down the line. I was told that I will be able to ride both my road and MTB again as much as I like and i will be able to play with my kids again and play touch rugby but was advised not to run more than 10Ks on the road. I only trailrun so it is not that big of a deal. The Drs precise words were:  "You can still run 50K trailruns and marathons a year from now but then I will most likely see you again in 15 -20 years or do shorter runs and cycle and Mountie and then I will never see you again." 

I am feeling great at the moment but I am really good this time and only doing what I am suppose to. The first 3months are critical. I can walk as much as I like and regularly do all my stretches' and stuff. I had my 6 weeks follow up a week ago and Dr was so happy and X-rays and everything looks great. I can start on my indoor trainer now and do more strenuous walks/hikes. I can start light easy MTB and road riding in DEC. Also he said that I will be able to start easy trailruns (10ks) in March. 

@johnson: Good luck with everything....

[Blokman]

I can tell you a very long story here. A lot of  Robert Whitehead's post applies to my situation. 

Please if you can. Go see a chiro in Bedfordview called Brian Dallas.  It is worth just listening and getting an opinion. He is not anti dr. or surgery, but will refer you to the RIGHT DR. FOR THE JOB. If you need it. 

38 Years ago I was booked for a fusion of L5 and 6. Then somebody referred me to him. I had already been to another chiro without success. 

He said that one day I may need surgery, and he will refer me if needed. That day hasn't arrived yet. My back still bites me badly every now and then.

Between him and a physio and my own stretching regime I'm still riding .  (Against his will.)

This is my story. Your Situation may be totally different

Whatever you decide . Strongs.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2021 by Blokman

[lechatnoir]

Similar story here with a C5/6 slipped disc causing arm issues - the recommended neurosurgeon was unavailable for months so got one with a quack who sent me for an MRI and based on that recommended fusion surgery later that week. I quietly soiled myself and got a 2nd opinion who looked at the same MRI and recommended a neck brace. A few months later, everything subsided and eventually got to see the first neuro who said I'd done the right thing, but didn't rule out surgery in future. 8yrs later, and there are issues, but not unbearable and I can live and work around them. It's meant my super-aero position on the bike is more sit-up-and-beg, but surgery is not a trivial matter. Being less aero is.

My advice is that if I've exhausted every avenue, no matter how kooky-sounding and my quality of life is still negatively affected to the point on being unbearable, I must  the surgery route. Until then, keep looking

[johnson]

Thanks for all the feedback. It is interesting to hear other peoples experiences and advice.

So this is my story.......

I Turned 40 this year. I Have been working in the motor engineering industry from age 16. I Have done a lot of stupid stuff over the years. I Have had a lot of injuries over the years. I Also had a couple of back injuries but recovered reasonable well from them. Lets put it this way, my mind still tells me I am 25 but my body disagrees. I Don't think I'm over weight but I do think losing 5 or 6 kg's would be a good thing.

Sometime in August I got up the Saturday morning and went for a 80-somthing km ride, got home and spent the rest of the day as usual. Got up the Sunday morning and went for a 50-somthing km ride, all good. My sister visited me to collect some pot plants I gave her. Three of them was too big for one person to handle but the two of us managed to load them onto a trailer with not too much effort. I Then had a couple of beers while watching Max win the F1 at Spa. Went to bed that night as usual with nothing wrong.

In the early hours of Monday morning I woke up with an un imaginable amount of pain. My lower back hurt like hell but it was nothing compared to the pain I had in my right hip and leg. Since then the pain in my lower back has improved a little. The pain in my hip and leg is getting worst by the day. I Don't know how to explain it but my hip and upper leg (above knee) has a lot of pain, but what is funny is that when I touch the area it feels numb. My knee, calf and foot has a tingling needles and pins feeling with much less pain.

I've seen my GP and he sent me for x rays. He told my that he is no expert in that field but from what he can see and from the radiologist report there is a problem at the L5-S1 level. He gave me a referral to a neurosurgeon where I have made an appointment and am waiting to see him.

I Have done some research and found a lot of info on my symptoms. The severe hip and leg pain seems to be a result of pinched or damaged nerves caused by spine injury that is affecting the sciatica nerve in the leg. I'm not a wannabe doctor but that is pretty spot on my symptoms. I'm using a scary amount of pain medication and hoping for a cancellation to see specialist earlier than my 8 December appointment.              

[Lexx]

20 minutes ago, johnson said:

Thanks for all the feedback. It is interesting to hear other peoples experiences and advice.

So this is my story.......

I Turned 40 this year. I Have been working in the motor engineering industry from age 16. I Have done a lot of stupid stuff over the years. I Have had a lot of injuries over the years. I Also had a couple of back injuries but recovered reasonable well from them. Lets put it this way, my mind still tells me I am 25 but my body disagrees. I Don't think I'm over weight but I do think losing 5 or 6 kg's would be a good thing.

Sometime in August I got up the Saturday morning and went for a 80-somthing km ride, got home and spent the rest of the day as usual. Got up the Sunday morning and went for a 50-somthing km ride, all good. My sister visited me to collect some pot plants I gave her. Three of them was too big for one person to handle but the two of us managed to load them onto a trailer with not too much effort. I Then had a couple of beers while watching Max win the F1 at Spa. Went to bed that night as usual with nothing wrong.

In the early hours of Monday morning I woke up with an un imaginable amount of pain. My lower back hurt like hell but it was nothing compared to the pain I had in my right hip and leg. Since then the pain in my lower back has improved a little. The pain in my hip and leg is getting worst by the day. I Don't know how to explain it but my hip and upper leg (above knee) has a lot of pain, but what is funny is that when I touch the area it feels numb. My knee, calf and foot has a tingling needles and pins feeling with much less pain.

I've seen my GP and he sent me for x rays. He told my that he is no expert in that field but from what he can see and from the radiologist report there is a problem at the L5-S1 level. He gave me a referral to a neurosurgeon where I have made an appointment and am waiting to see him.

I Have done some research and found a lot of info on my symptoms. The severe hip and leg pain seems to be a result of pinched or damaged nerves caused by spine injury that is affecting the sciatica nerve in the leg. I'm not a wannabe doctor but that is pretty spot on my symptoms. I'm using a scary amount of pain medication and hoping for a cancellation to see specialist earlier than my 8 December appointment.              

That Sucks Big time. I can def relate to your pain. Mine was exactly the same. Right leg got numb, then pins and needles and then my leg wants to give in. And whenever i just lift my leg or just twist my hips, i got this extremely sharp pain from my lower back to my calf..

Forgot to say, i turned 41 this year. Looks like if you turn 40, its all downhill. ????

Let us know what the specialist say.  

Edited November 4, 2021 by Lexx

[WaynejG]

Sciatica nerve pain is no joke.

[eala]

1 hour ago, johnson said:

Thanks for all the feedback. It is interesting to hear other peoples experiences and advice.

So this is my story.......

I Turned 40 this year. I Have been working in the motor engineering industry from age 16. I Have done a lot of stupid stuff over the years. I Have had a lot of injuries over the years. I Also had a couple of back injuries but recovered reasonable well from them. Lets put it this way, my mind still tells me I am 25 but my body disagrees. I Don't think I'm over weight but I do think losing 5 or 6 kg's would be a good thing.

Sometime in August I got up the Saturday morning and went for a 80-somthing km ride, got home and spent the rest of the day as usual. Got up the Sunday morning and went for a 50-somthing km ride, all good. My sister visited me to collect some pot plants I gave her. Three of them was too big for one person to handle but the two of us managed to load them onto a trailer with not too much effort. I Then had a couple of beers while watching Max win the F1 at Spa. Went to bed that night as usual with nothing wrong.

In the early hours of Monday morning I woke up with an un imaginable amount of pain. My lower back hurt like hell but it was nothing compared to the pain I had in my right hip and leg. Since then the pain in my lower back has improved a little. The pain in my hip and leg is getting worst by the day. I Don't know how to explain it but my hip and upper leg (above knee) has a lot of pain, but what is funny is that when I touch the area it feels numb. My knee, calf and foot has a tingling needles and pins feeling with much less pain.

I've seen my GP and he sent me for x rays. He told my that he is no expert in that field but from what he can see and from the radiologist report there is a problem at the L5-S1 level. He gave me a referral to a neurosurgeon where I have made an appointment and am waiting to see him.

I Have done some research and found a lot of info on my symptoms. The severe hip and leg pain seems to be a result of pinched or damaged nerves caused by spine injury that is affecting the sciatica nerve in the leg. I'm not a wannabe doctor but that is pretty spot on my symptoms. I'm using a scary amount of pain medication and hoping for a cancellation to see specialist earlier than my 8 December appointment.              

You have a herniated disc to be confirmed on MRI

[cadenceblur]

4 hours ago, WaynejG said:

Sciatica nerve pain is no joke.

That's the truth! I could walk more than a few steps due to the excruciating pain. It's amazing as soon that pain starts you don't even feel any back pain!

[WaynejG]

33 minutes ago, cadenceblur said:

That's the truth! I could walk more than a few steps due to the excruciating pain. It's amazing as soon that pain starts you don't even feel any back pain!

When mine started, my leg would turn the colour of a beetroot within seconds. I actually used crutches to get around. First trip to the doctor, my friend fetched me with his bakkie and I lay in the back. I just could not sit in a car 

[Help.Me.]

I am also following with a lot of intrest. I had this sudden pinched nerve in my left leg which makes my leg go numb with needles and pins for quite some time now, more than 18 months.... I think it is due to my spinner setup because its a very old bike and when I had my mtb setup done I had the spinning bike done aswell. The guy mentioned that the spinning bike is not 100% because there was no parts available to get it 100%. I also do use my indoor setup much more than the MTB outside. I tried the inversion table but with not much relief. Then when on  holiday I visted a gym and tried the Vertical Knee Raise machine and once I managed to hang on the thing ( my shoulders are shot) I could hear how my lower back actually "clicked into position or alignment"!! The pinched nerve and pain in  my lower back and left leg is gone, there is just this numb pain in my lower back part but now the opposite side. I have started doing Pilatus (had 3 sessions so far) and I can tell that there is a big improvement. I am still very stiff and sore but i feel much better than before. I cannot expect to be cured after a few sessions for a 18 month long problem. I am 55 and and also about 5kg over weight....hope it can help somebody!!

[IMan777]

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...