Microdiscectomy back surgery questions..

[Captrix]

I havent had that done but I had the nerves burned off near my L1 - L5 It helped with my degenerative disk pain but didn't do anything for my SI pain. I did all the steroid injections and only got 3, maybe 4 days relief. I was only allowed to get them 3 times a year and I finally gave up since the result wasnt worth it. I hope you find something that works for you. Back pain really sucks, I've been dealing with it for 6 years now and can't get out of bed in the morning with out taking pain meds and waiting 30 minutes.

[Wilderjack]

I have had back probs for almost two years. I am pain free now but still have some numbness and loss of strength but I am sure the pain will come back. I have seen four different doctors and 3 out of 4 said avoid surgery if possible. my questions was, "when will you know its time to have surgery," and the answer was, "you will know." good luck.

[18ncs]

If you think you are headed towards the surgery, you might want a consult with a Neurosurgeon who also has Ortho training. You want to be pain free playing in addition to sitting at work. See who does the athletes at Texas, A&M, Tech etc and get some information on those physicians. My problem is C-4,5,&6. I have used therapy since 2001 to stay away from the knife. good luck

[Dr. Evil]

ttt

[Bowtech32]

L5 S1... 33 years old now. Low back issues since high school football.

X2, I had the exact same issue. Messed up my back in highschool football and I have had 2 different surgerys. The first one they just went in and cleaned the disk up, that lasted about 5 years. The second I went in and they removed it and put a cage in the L5 area and fused it. The only pain was was the cut the made on me. I was back to normal in 6 weeks, I felt great right out of surgury but have to give it at least 6 weeks to heal. This was about 4 years ago and I have not felt better since high school. I am 35 now and I would recommend it as long as you feel ok with your dr.

[quarterback]

Have the surgery. I had it 1 1/2 years ago and while it took some time, the pain and numbness that ran down my leg has diminished significantly to the point that I can play flag football again (probably shouldn't but I do). Before the surgery I was pretty miserable.

1. surgery was successful. Small scar in lower back and pain about 70% better.
2. within a few days everything was substantially better.
3. complete recovery?? maybe 3 weeks to 2 months.
4. yes, I would recommend having the surgery. your quality of life will improve significantly.
5. have tried pain pills, steroidal injections, physical therapy, rest and nothing worked like the surgery.

My surgeon in Dallas was Andrew Dossett at the Carroll Clinic. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Bluesman]

L5 S2 "micro surgery" in 1992, absolutely no regrets.
Doctor in Kansas City exhaused all other treatments before the surgery.
A herniated disc is generally a mechanical problem and won't go away on it's own.
My Son is having great luck with Yoga of some sort.
I think lots of people feel well enough to do dumb things right after surgery, give it 6 weeks and plenty of walking and hamstring excercises.

[BrianW]

In July 2009 i had lower back surgery,not the "micro surgery",but lower Fusion L5 and S1 and i was out for 3 months,But i feel a whole hell of a lot better than i did before the surgery and if I had to do it over I wouldnt change a thing,Yes it was expensive(closs to $100,000) But hey thats what insurance is for..I wish you the best of luck on your desission(sp lol)....Brian

[Dr. Evil]

Thanks for all your input. I will be going under the knife next Wednesday morning. Wish me luck, tired of this never-ending pain!

[Bill]

My wife had an L5/S1 laminectomy done in February 2006. Feb 10 I believe. I remember the day because she had a long history of lower back problems, and that morning her back went 'out' completely. I loaded her into the back seat of our Honda Accord, moved the baby seat in the front for our 4 month old baby son, and I drove her in a blizzard to the hospital in Philadelphia from southern NJ where we lived- the roads were so bad the town's ambulance crew would not take an ambulance 'out of service' locally to transport her to the hospital where her doctor was.

The surgery was a complete success, she has a small scar where they cut, and it stopped all her lower back pain afterwards. She walked out of the hospital a couple days after the surgery.

I wish you luck, and the same success that she had with the procedure.

[John Galt]

C5/C6 discectomy with bone transplant and titanium plate 2003.

Sooo glad I did it. Just can't pull a bow now for fear of pullin' out my sheetrock screws.

[stan]

I had a ruptured disc last year which required this surgery. My pain was exactly as you described. When I awaked from the surgery, I got up to go to the bathroom, and was pain-free (except for the minor discomfort from the surgery). So...
1. The surgery was successful...I'm pain free
2. My surgery was on Wednesday. I went back to work the same Friday.
3. I was full steam again in a couple weeks
4. Recommend? Yes
5. Physical therapy didn't help...the surgery did. I now play full-steam racquetball 4 days per week, ride horses, and do everything I could do before the back problems.

Good luck.

[brshcntryhntr]

Best thing I EVER did. Pain is gone. Felt like I could do ANYTHING two days later. Back on machinery in two weeks. Two years ago from last Halloween and feel great. Just got finished breaking ice in the decoys and walking alot in the marsh.... PAIN FREE! Fondren Group in Houston.... Dr. David Wimberly. He's a hunter too.

Choosing the right doctor is key. The Drs. at Fondren Orthopedic Clinic are top notch. I know several people who have went through the surgery at Fondren and their response is the same as Flash. I used Dr. Kozak there and he is good.

[haireborn]

The inversion table works for me for a while. Fusion is my next step. I have been putting it off for some time now.

[dennisomfs]

...as Brian, Blake and others can attest, one still needs to be sure some of the basics are adhered to when dealing with chronic low back pain, one of those being egt rid of the "beer gut" or excess weight you may being carrying in front, and strengthen your abdominals....and BTW, the #1 back surgery facility in Texas (by independent rating) is Texas Spine and Joint in Tyler..good luck with your procedure...it is a very useful and successful technique but is no guarantee against future problems if you don't take care of your back!