Lumbar spinal surgery

jrod

jrod

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I had a consultation with and orthopedic surgeon about doing a spinal fusion/microdiscectomy of the L5-S1 level. I am extremely nervous and hesitant to get this done.
Has anyone here had a similar procedure or can offer any feedback, advice on this subject?

Thanks
 
jrod said:
I had a consultation with and orthopedic surgeon about doing a spinal fusion/microdiscectomy of the L5-S1 level. I am extremely nervous and hesitant to get this done.
Has anyone here had a similar procedure or can offer any feedback, advice on this subject?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I had surgery on the same disks. Severe bulging disk with sciatica. An orthopedic wanted to do a fusion. I received a second opinion from a well respected Neurosurgeon herevin PA and he was absolutely against a fusion, says they create more problems. He instead performed a discectomy and lamenectomy, which is basically removing a small portion of vertabrae and cutting away disk herniation. I followed strict PT protocol and my back is almost as good as new, this was 8 years ago. This same Neurosurgeon did a full disk replacement in my neck as well. Talk to a top rated Neurosurgeon. Hope that helps
 
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Rebornlite said:
I had surgery on the same disks. Severe bulging disk with sciatica. An orthopedic wanted to do a fusion. I received a second opinion from a well respected Neurosurgeon herevin PA and he was absolutely against a fusion, says they create more problems. He instead performed a discectomy and lamenectomy, which is basically removing a small portion of vertabrae and cutting away disk herniation. I followed strict PT protocol and my back is almost as good as new, this was 8 years ago. This same Neurosurgeon did a full disk replacement in my neck as well. Talk to a top rated Neurosurgeon. Hope that helps
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Yeah Jrod, I'd look into what he did instead of spinal fusion. Everyone I know who's had spinal surgery of any kind still suffered pain afterwards.
 
Are you able to let me know or pm me who the neurosurgeon was? Or what the name of the group is?
 
myosaurus said:
Yeah Jrod, I'd look into what he did instead of spinal fusion. Everyone I know who's had spinal surgery of any kind still suffered pain afterwards.
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Yeah, I’ve heard mixed results on fusion. They all say I need it because of the slippage.
I will definitely be looking into this more!
 
jrod said:
Yeah, I’ve heard mixed results on fusion. They all say I need it because of the slippage.
I will definitely be looking into this more!
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Keep in mind that every situation is different just like anything else. I know guys that have had fusions and swear it was the best decision of their lives and then there are some that say it didn't help much at all.

My personal experience after two fusions, the first one was above S1-L5 three levels in 2019. Didn't help much but the surgeon told me I needed more work and he was fixing what he thought was giving me the most pain and that I would need more work in the future.

The second fusion in 2022 was S1-L5 TLIF procedure similar to what your looking at maybe without the extra bolts into the hip. That one helped tremendously. I honestly think anyone that has foreign parts installed in their bodies regardless where or what will always have some residual pain most their lives. IMO. I have good days and bad days but overall I'm glad I got them done.

Definitely do your due diligence before making the decision. Best of luck what ever you decide bro.

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Holy shyte brother!
That is very invasive! And you are still lifting? Do you still have to take pain meds?
If I remember correctly you sent a pic last year or so and were looking great! I think you have the umbilical hernia like me.
I am looking for some other doctors to get other opinions.
Thanks for sharing your story. That’s impressive you are doing as well as you are. How old are you now?
 
jrod said:
Holy shyte brother!
That is very invasive! And you are still lifting? Do you still have to take pain meds?
If I remember correctly you sent a pic last year or so and were looking great! I think you have the umbilical hernia like me.
I am looking for some other doctors to get other opinions.
Thanks for sharing your story. That’s impressive you are doing as well as you are. How old are you now?
Click to expand...

I tried to lift as much as possible throughout the years. All the surgeries have definitely kept me from lifting consistently but I'm back at it again. Pain meds on some days but not needed everyday. Yeah I have the umbilical hernia still. lol
I'm looking to try and compete late this year or early next year in the 60's over Masters God willing. 63 years old, not sure where the time went but got no complaints.
I will say this, although I'm sure you already know, surgery should be the last resort. I tried everything prior and nothing helped so for me i feel it was the right choice. So definitely take your time and find whats right for you.
 
Silntrunin said:
I tried to lift as much as possible throughout the years. All the surgeries have definitely kept me from lifting consistently but I'm back at it again. Pain meds on some days but not needed everyday. Yeah I have the umbilical hernia still. lol
I'm looking to try and compete late this year or early next year in the 60's over Masters God willing. 63 years old, not sure where the time went but got no complaints.
I will say this, although I'm sure you already know, surgery should be the last resort. I tried everything prior and nothing helped so for me i feel it was the right choice. So definitely take your time and find whats right for you.
Click to expand...

You are a warrior brother.
Keep us posted on the competition. We’re pulling for you!
 
Silntrunin said:
I tried to lift as much as possible throughout the years. All the surgeries have definitely kept me from lifting consistently but I'm back at it again. Pain meds on some days but not needed everyday. Yeah I have the umbilical hernia still. lol
I'm looking to try and compete late this year or early next year in the 60's over Masters God willing. 63 years old, not sure where the time went but got no complaints.
I will say this, although I'm sure you already know, surgery should be the last resort. I tried everything prior and nothing helped so for me i feel it was the right choice. So definitely take your time and find whats right for you.
Click to expand...

You ever had a medial branch ablation done? Extremely painful procedure, I experienced a %15 pain reduction at best, then the nerves grew back and the pain was worse than before. That was the final straw for me, I stayed away from surgery for 10 years before I pulled the trigger, that helped my decision.

I admire your fight, it's not easy. Good luck with your goals.
 
Rebornlite said:
You ever had a medial branch ablation done? Extremely painful procedure, I experienced a %15 pain reduction at best, then the nerves grew back and the pain was worse than before. That was the final straw for me, I stayed away from surgery for 10 years before I pulled the trigger, that helped my decision.

I admire your fight, it's not easy. Good luck with your goals.
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No I have not. Is that where they snip or burn the nerve ending so you don't feel the pain?

It's a tough call either way. Personally i would think surgery would be the last straw but unfortunately it's not a guarantee either.
 
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