Back surgery experience

[Hunt eat repeat]

Hey all
I have been dealing with back issues since I was a teen. I am now 36 years old and live an active lifestyle along with working in construction.
I have usually got by with chiropractic adjustment, muscle relaxers and rest.

The last two years it has got progressively worse. The type of pain and location has changed and has started to affect daily living. So I decided it was time to dig in and figure out what the problem actually is. A pile of X-rays and an MRI later, I was told by a specialist that I have some disc degeneration in my low back. My spine is otherwise healthy but the one disk seems to be dry and that’s probably the source of the problem. He recommended a disc replacement. They have a very high success rate with them but it is a fairly new process to use them in the low back. After my consult with the surgeon this week he basically said he will replace the disc if I want. Now I understand this is ultimately my decision but I expected a bit more advise. He is the professional here. I desperately need relief but also understand we are talking about cutting on my spine. Does anybody have a artificial disc in their low back ? If so how do you like it ? Now I am not talking about fusion but a disc replacement. Also has anybody done stem cell therapy ? Seems to be a lot of promising research in that area too.

 

[Rich M]

I'm not familiar with artificial disks - have 3 very close folks who have had surgery:

Lady - auto accident - Microdiscectomy 2 times (15+ yrs apart) - they basically shave the disc away to free up the nerves.

Guy - fell as a kid - Fusion - bolt together a couple vertebrae - not 100% on what they did to him but first time wasn't so good, 2nd time was great.

Lady - broke her back - Bone-graft Fusion - think of a couple hollow tap-con screws being placed up into 2 or 3 vertebrae - the bone chips mix with blood inside the screw and then it all heals as 1 piece. One-shot deal for her - no pain, no issues at all.

Amazing what they can do these days. Glad you have an avenue for relief. Get a couple opinions and see what can be done - the science these days is amazing.

Best wishes!

 

[Hunt eat repeat]

I'm not familiar with artificial disks - have 3 very close folks who have had surgery:

Lady - auto accident - Microdiscectomy 2 times (15+ yrs apart) - they basically shave the disc away to free up the nerves.

Guy - fell as a kid - Fusion - bolt together a couple vertebrae - not 100% on what they did to him but first time wasn't so good, 2nd time was great.

Lady - broke her back - Bone-graft Fusion - think of a couple hollow tap-con screws being placed up into 2 or 3 vertebrae - the bone chips mix with blood inside the screw and then it all heals as 1 piece. One-shot deal for her - no pain, no issues at all.

Amazing what they can do these days. Glad you have an avenue for relief. Get a couple opinions and see what can be done - the science these days is amazing.

Best wishes!

Thanks for the info. Yeah it seems like back surgery has come a long way in recent years.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

That's a bummer, nothing quite like back pain to add a sheen of suck to everything in life. I herniated two discs in my early 20s and have been dealing with it on and off ever since. I wish I had more to say about the specific procedure, but I don't. When I had my injury, from what I could tell the long-term outcomes from surgery were mixed, especially fusion.

Personally, I'd try everything else before surgery. I've had good success with PT, strength training, yoga, and, to solve an acute flare up, osteopathic manipulation. Only if that didn't work would I consider surgery, and then I'd do a ton of reading and talk to multiple docs. My concern would be long-term outcome. Unfortunately it's hard to get good, holistic advice - surgeons want to cut, PTs want you to do PT, DOs want to lay hands on you, chiropractors want to do adjustments. I'd be willing to travel and spend to talk a good back doc who can look at the whole picture.

I hate to say it, but maybe consider a job change too. Construction's hard on a body, 20-30 more years is asking a lot. Not my field, but seems like there are ways to move on to project manager, estimator, etc...

Whatever you do, don't get addicted to painkillers.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Whatever you do, don't get addicted to painkillers.

muscle relaxers

I know more than a few people who have ruined their lives with pain pills. If there's another route, take it.

 

[wyosteve]

Definitely get more medical opinions. My peripheral knowledge of artificial discs is that they do not have a very good success rate.

 

[Hunt eat repeat]

That's a bummer, nothing quite like back pain to add a sheen of suck to everything in life. I herniated two discs in my early 20s and have been dealing with it on and off ever since. I wish I had more to say about the specific procedure, but I don't. When I had my injury, from what I could tell the long-term outcomes from surgery were mixed, especially fusion.

Personally, I'd try everything else before surgery. I've had good success with PT, strength training, yoga, and, to solve an acute flare up, osteopathic manipulation. Only if that didn't work would I consider surgery, and then I'd do a ton of reading and talk to multiple docs. My concern would be long-term outcome. Unfortunately it's hard to get good, holistic advice - surgeons want to cut, PTs want you to do PT, DOs want to lay hands on you, chiropractors want to do adjustments. I'd be willing to travel and spend to talk a good back doc who can look at the whole picture.

I hate to say it, but maybe consider a job change too. Construction's hard on a body, 20-30 more years is asking a lot. Not my field, but seems like there are ways to move on to project manager, estimator, etc...

Whatever you do, don't get addicted to painkillers.

Thanks for the post. I have been trying to think of a new career path for a while now. As a one man show/owner it isn’t an easy tradition into another field. Hiring people would probably be worse than the back pain

 

[Hunt eat repeat]

I know more than a few people who have ruined their lives with pain pills. If there's another route, take it.

The muscle relaxers are for “emergencies” defiantly not going with the temporary relief option. Looking for something long term. Thanks for posting.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Check with your insurance I was in the same situation at the same age as you about 10 yrs ago, ruptured S1, L5 and degenerative disk issues..my insurance wouldnt cover the surgery for disk replacement only fusion, said there wasn't enough good results to cover replacements..maybe they have better data a decade later...I dumped the Dr's and pills...worked on my core strength and flexibility...still have some pain but I know what will cause it and just try not to get in those situations.

 

[Elk97]

I've had disc problems (2 herniated, one degenerated) since my 20s (72 now). Consulted a couple of specialist back surgeons along the way and, fortunately, both said to avoid surgery at all costs until life isn't possible without it. One of the surgeons also told me that at least 1% of surgeries result in an infection in the spine which can destroy it permanently. He said it's only 1%, but if you are the 1% it might as well be 100%. I did have some epidurals from a sports specialist that helped for awhile but after a couple of years they wore off. Sorry to be a bummer, but overall I'm glad I never had surgery and just powered through it when it was bad, and now I really don't have much pain or problems so I guess I've either healed or just numb to the pain. No matter what, seriously consider all options, and get several different opinions, before going with one surgeons suggestion.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

Hate to be the fly in the ointment but disc degeneration in your late 30s is NORMAL. I’d seek multiple opinions beyond the surgeon you’ve seen surgery should always be the absolute last resort and a good surgeon will tell you the same.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Stem cell ain’t cheap, but it’s worth a shot before you let them add parts. Osteopath and strengthening core, glutes, and hamstrings are a very good place to start. Getting inflammation under control is also big, so look at your diet and cut the junk carbs, sugars etc.

 

[Steve from GA]

I have had lower lumbar surgery and have lived and researched back pain up and down. Do not go the surgery route yet unless your MRI shows major spinal stenosis or something truly dramatic. As has been pointed out, disc degeneration is totally normal. Purely speculative, but I’m going to say there’s at least a 50% chance that you can move past this relatively quickly with the right stretching, PT and frame of mind.

 

[ThorM465]

I’m 35 and almost the same boat. I have 2 or had 2 degenerative disks. L5 S1 and L4 L5. I had the former replaced last August. And I might be getting the other replaced soon. Waiting to hear back on an MRI.

You need to make sure you’re using a surgeon that specializes in this procedure. Not someone that has done 1 or 2 or does them occasionally.

I’m glad I did it, but I wish I would have done what they call a hybrid. They fuse the L5 S1 and replace the L4 L5. I didn’t want to give up the range of motion. I knew going in that I would need to replace the other eventually, but thought it would be many years down the road. My L5 S1 was gone and the L4L5 was good enough to try and save.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, this surgery sucks! They have to go in through the front, so they have to cut through your abdomen. This was my second surgery on my back. Several years ago I did the nip and tuck where they go in from the back, cut the bulge of the disc and sew it back up. I was never even tempted to take a pain med after the surgery not even an Advil. I was good as new in 2 weeks. I hate taking any meds especially pain meds. After the replacement I was on oxys for the first 3 or 4 days and was taking them to sleep until day 8. It’s not the spine, that was sore but not a big deal. It’s your abdomen that’s sore. I still brace myself when I sneeze lol. It was a good 6 week recovery and about 12 to 16 weeks before I was back to full strength.

All that being said, I’m ready to replace the other one after the pain I’ve been on for the last 3 weeks.

Oh they should be using an access surgeon to open you up. You don’t want a neurosurgeon cutting through your stomach, they use a specialist for that.

Buy some laxatives before the surgery and start taking them on the 2nd or 3rd day. After all those opioids I thought I was going to out like the King of Rock.

 

[gbflyer]

Mine was l4/l5 hemi-laminectomy which is minor in terms of spinal surgery. I am also in construction as an owner/operator. I was flat on the floor, I couldn’t sit in the doctors office, I laid on the floor in the waiting room like a comfort animal. Mine was successful, I cannot imagine what life would have been like without it. I do not live in a place where I could have gotten regular PT, just not an option.

 

[Theringworm]

I’ll echo some of ThorM465‘s comments. I’ll preface this by saying, do your own research and do a lot of it. Ultimately it’s your choice. My comments are not to be taken as medical advice.

Exhaust all avenues before having surgery. I have 4 bulging discs and it took a solid 2.5 years to get to a point to where I am 80–85% back to normal and something I can deal with. Lots of p.t. Lots of home exercises. In my opinion physical therapists play can play a pivotal role in your recovery. I do not have any faith in chiropractors. I have my reasons but it’s my opinion and I do not want to offend anyone on here that is a chiropractor so I won’t discuss it.

Find this best spine surgeon (orthopedic or neurosurgeon it doesn’t matter) you can that specializes in disc replacement. Someone who is doing 12+ a year would be a good start. Generally, most of the highly skilled high volume practices are associated or are practicing in big centers in big cities. Barrow institute in AZ, Mayo, UTSW in Dallas etc. There are many all over the country. It’s not to be said someone of this caliber with these skills can’t be found in a smaller town in Montana, or wherever but it’s less likely given the complexity of this surgery, in my opinion.

There is no guarantee surgery is the cure. It may make it worse, better or stay the same. My opinion was, I would refuse surgery until I couldn’t tolerate the discomfort on a daily basis or I had acute onset of weakness. Everyone’s threshold is different.

I think stem cells are a valid consideration. They are however expensive and in the US, any ”Tom, Dick and Harry“ it seems is offering it “off label“ of course, as it’s an all cash money making machine. Yes, they are in it for the money. But it does have a lot of potential. Just have to really research who is administering and what type of stem cells are they offering (embryonic, adult, etc.)

At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Seek out people who have had it done and by which surgeon. Some comparing and contrast may help in the decision process but what outcome you will end up with is the unknown.

It’s definitely a hard spot to be in. Good luck.

 

[ThorM465]

I wouldn’t go that far on chiropractors. I do agree that they’re not healers. They’re great for sports therapy. They’re great to treat soreness from an active lifestyle. We’d all probably be healthier and move better if we visited a chiropractor every 4 to 6 weeks. However, they’re horrible for an actual injury. If you’re hurt see a chiropractor, if you’re injured get to a Dr.

I learned this the hard way with my back.

 

[Hunt eat repeat]

Thanks for all the replies ! Good group we have here on RS. I have a whole lot to consider. Stressful think about. Sounds like PT might be a good start.

 

[Theringworm]

Just be realistic. It's a lot easier and more likely that P.T. will help to improve a disc herniation. The gelatinous disc has found a weakening and bulged out. You have to push it back in and P.T. can help that. I had repeat lumbar MRIs 2 years after my injury and they were both gone. The thoracic herniations have been more difficult to improve.

You have a degenerative disc, meaning the height/volume/size of the disc has decreased. In my opinion only so much that P.T. can help with that. You aren't trying to reposition a bulging disc here. You simply have less disc that can't maintain the adequate height to keep pressure off the nerve roots exiting the sides of the diss. Stabilizing that space is likely the best treatment which likely will require a 360-degree fusion or a disc replacement. Talk to as many experts in the field as possible and people that have walked the same path to help you form a decision of how to proceed.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

They call it back surgery for a reason. Cause you’ll be back!