Back surgery

[Badlandoutdoors]

Sorry if this is in the wrong category.

In short my hunting season is over before it started. Dealing with lumbar disc protrusions and degenerative disc disease in two discs. First surgeon wants to do a fusion from L4-S1. I do not want a fusion and have been looking into disc replacement as an option. Still trying to get ahold of a surgeon since nobody near me performs this.

Has anyone from this group had a lumbar disc replacement? Did it solve your issues and were you able to go back to living a normal life?


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[passinggas33]

Just curious if your insurance will cover a disc replacement? Many of the people that I try to help can never get it approved…even if we jump through all of the hoops the insurance companies require. I’ve spent more time on the phone than I care to admit trying to get these approved. If you’re paying cash then disregard my statement…and tell me what you do for a living to have that kind of cash

 

[Badlandoutdoors]

Just curious if your insurance will cover a disc replacement? Many of the people that I try to help can never get it approved…even if we jump through all of the hoops the insurance companies require. I’ve spent more time on the phone than I care to admit trying to get these approved. If you’re paying cash then disregard my statement…and tell me what you do for a living to have that kind of cash

Well I’m still at the early stages and don’t even know if this is the right surgery. I’ve reached out to a couple places. I have an appointment at mayo Rochester in December and waiting to hear back from a surgeon in TX. I certainly don’t have the cash laying around if insurance doesn’t cover it but I’ll figure something out if this is the right course.

Are you in the industry?


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[ThorM465]

I too have degenerative disc disease of my L4-L5 and L5-S1. I've had 2 surgeries on my L5-S1 and I'm looking at a surgery on my L4-L5 in the near future.

I had a microdiscectomy on my L5-S1 disc in ~'16. My one regret in life is that I put it off for as long as I did. Minimally invasive, recovery only took a couple of weeks or so. If you have enough disc left go this route. If you haven't looked at your own xray yet, you really need too.

I had the disc replaced with an artificial disc in ~'22. Thankfully, the VA stepped in and paid for it because AL BCBS wouldn't pay for it at that point. The orthopedic community is split over whether there's enough movement lost from fusing the L5-S1 to make the disc replacement worth it. Neither surgery is infinitely preferable if that's an option. I was bone on bone, so that wasn't an option. Given the choice I'm glad I dealt with the recovery of the disc replacement surgery and went that route. It's a difficult, complex, and risky procedure, so find someone who does a lot of these even if you have to travel. Just know the trip home is going to suck! And it's a solid 6 week recovery.

My surgeon and I had discussed fuzing the L5-S1 and replacing the L4-L5 in one surgery. Ultimately, I'm glad he talked me out of it. My L4-L5 is actually really healthy and has gotten visibly thicker in the Xrays. However, part of me that believes that an L4-L5 replacement is ultimately in my future and wishes I would have just done it then. I stand by the decision to try to avoid this.

I also have a bulged disc in my L4-L5 and a partial labral tear in my hip. I'm not entirely sure what exactly is causing my back pain at the moment, but I'm ready for another microdiscectomy. It's my plan to put this off until early next year.

I just did a consult with waystowell on stem cell therapy this last week. At this point it's my intent to go to Austin for that procedure, but I'm waiting for an appointment with my surgeon to discuss whether it would be best to do it prior to or post surgery.

Additionally, I've done a few cycles of BPC157 w&wo TB500 over the last few years. I'm on it now and it noticeably helps my back pain. It's the only thing that explains the improvement of my L4-L5 disc over the last few years.

 

[Badlandoutdoors]

I too have degenerative disc disease of my L4-L5 and L5-S1. I've had 2 surgeries on my L5-S1 and I'm looking at a surgery on my L4-L5 in the near future.

I had a microdiscectomy on my L5-S1 disc in ~'16. My one regret in life is that I put it off for as long as I did. Minimally invasive, recovery only took a couple of weeks or so. If you have enough disc left go this route. If you haven't looked at your own xray yet, you really need too.

I had the disc replaced with an artificial disc in ~'22. Thankfully, the VA stepped in and paid for it because AL BCBS wouldn't pay for it at that point. The orthopedic community is split over whether there's enough movement lost from fusing the L5-S1 to make the disc replacement worth it. Neither surgery is infinitely preferable if that's an option. I was bone on bone, so that wasn't an option. Given the choice I'm glad I dealt with the recovery of the disc replacement surgery and went that route. It's a difficult, complex, and risky procedure, so find someone who does a lot of these even if you have to travel. Just know the trip home is going to suck! And it's a solid 6 week recovery.

My surgeon and I had discussed fuzing the L5-S1 and replacing the L4-L5 in one surgery. Ultimately, I'm glad he talked me out of it. My L4-L5 is actually really healthy and has gotten visibly thicker in the Xrays. However, part of me that believes that an L4-L5 replacement is ultimately in my future and wishes I would have just done it then. I stand by the decision to try to avoid this.

I also have a bulged disc in my L4-L5 and a partial labral tear in my hip. I'm not entirely sure what exactly is causing my back pain at the moment, but I'm ready for another microdiscectomy. It's my plan to put this off until early next year.

I just did a consult with waystowell on stem cell therapy this last week. At this point it's my intent to go to Austin for that procedure, but I'm waiting for an appointment with my surgeon to discuss whether it would be best to do it prior to or post surgery.

Additionally, I've done a few cycles of BPC157 w&wo TB500 over the last few years. I'm on it now and it noticeably helps my back pain. It's the only thing that explains the improvement of my L4-L5 disc over the last few years.

Thank you for sharing. I had the microdiscectomy in 2014. Took 4 years for my back to feel normal again. I had major muscle issues after surgery. Did all the PT and doctoring I was told to do. None of it worked. A massage therapist was my biggest savior.

Unfortunately my discs are now in such degenerative state I think surgery is my only option. I’ve had a couple opinions and still going to get a couple more.

Just wanting to explore the replacement because fusion sounds awful.


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[ThorM465]

Life with fusion is awful. Recovery from disc replacement is awful. Choice your awful.

 

[passinggas33]

Well I’m still at the early stages and don’t even know if this is the right surgery. I’ve reached out to a couple places. I have an appointment at mayo Rochester in December and waiting to hear back from a surgeon in TX. I certainly don’t have the cash laying around if insurance doesn’t cover it but I’ll figure something out if this is the right course.

Are you in the industry?


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I run a pain clinic and do a lot of back injections. Help people with lots of back pain. Back surgeries for some are life changing for good. And some are life changing for bad. It truly is a mixed bag. Find a good neuro or orthopedic surgeon and if the first thing they say is “surgery”, question their motive. And good to try and get a couple of opinions. If they all say the same thing then it’s probably the best option. If your getting different opinions, keep searching.

 

[SDHNTR]

I have virtually zero disk left L5 S1. And not much more left L4 and 5. I will not do a fusion unless I’m literally home bound in bed. Every surgeon I’ve ever spoken to wants to fuse me up on the spot. I get by on limber posterior chain and a strong trunk. Fusion should be viewed as a last resort, after all other last resorts have been explored.

 

[rickyw]

The McGill Method can be very helpful for these kinds of cases.
Check out backfitpro.com and the book Back Mechanic