Back Surgery

[GARYD]

For the last couple years my lower back has been giving me trouble. Walking/riding is fine, but bending and getting in/out of the chair is getting pretty painful. I'm trying to bring myself to call the doctor and make an appointment. What's making me hesitant is all the talk I hear that back surgery is bad and all it does is make it worse. I've tried Advil and CBD salve and Aspercream to no effect.

My question is - anybody out there have had back surgery and how are you doing afterwards and was it worth it? What is the approximate recovery time?

I am 77 and in great shape otherwise. I go to the gym every other day and am not overweight (182).

I even went to a chiropractor which I think made it worse.

[Sidecarbill]

I would talk to the doctor. No one else. Find the source of the pain and work from there. But I'm not a doctor hater like some.

[BillR]

Gary, there is back surgery and then there is BACK SURGERY. Until you have a Dr. check you out, you won't know what has to be done. Then you can make an informed decision on what you want to do.

A year ago yesterday, my wife had two discs replaced and got a cage fusing L3, L4 and L5 together. She was in the hospital for 11 days. Then we got a hospital bed downstairs that she used for four months before she could climb stairs. (our bedrooms are upstairs). She was doing well after six months of PT. (Really doing the PT is the key).

Waiting on the CT scan results now from her one year evaluation last week to see if she's released from the DR.

My daughter had a laparoscopic procedure done on her back as an outpatient. Good to go after three months.

[Jack Klarich]

I would talk to the doctor. No one else. Find the source of the pain and work from there. But I'm not a doctor hater like some.

I strongly agree to the point of always getting a second opinion and or a referral to a specialist

[stallion 1952]

For the last couple years my lower back has been giving me trouble. Walking/riding is fine, but bending and getting in/out of the chair is getting pretty painful. I'm trying to bring myself to call the doctor and make an appointment. What's making me hesitant is all the talk I hear that back surgery is bad and all it does is make it worse. I've tried Advil and CBD salve and Aspercream to no effect.

My question is - anybody out there have had back surgery and how are you doing afterwards and was it worth it? What is the approximate recovery time?

I am 77 and in great shape otherwise. I go to the gym every other day and am not overweight (182).

I even went to a chiropractor which I think made it worse.

Gary: I am no doctor but not a stranger to back pain either. Please do not listen to these people that tell you that surgery makes it worse especially if these people have never had surgery themselves or experienced back pain. Five years ago I was in so much pain with my back that I got to the point where I couldn't get out of bed. Not kidding. I had surgery and it took about 2 years to completely heal, even to this day I am not a 100% but the difference is like night and day.

Yes I do have days where my lower back hurts but nothing like it did before surgery. First thing I would recommend is get an MRI done, that will tell you exactly what's wrong. Stop taking those over the counter medications, they're crap. As far as the gym goes, I don't know what you do there but I would stop for a while at least till you find out what is wrong. You could be doing more damage to your back. If you are told that you do need surgery, do your homework and look for the best surgeon in your area. They are not the same. Good luck. I know what you are going through. Charles

[ultrafxr]

Gary you did not say if you've ever consulted a doctor about the back pain. If not I urge you to do so irrespective of any surgery - that decision will come later. What is important is discovering the source of your discomfort. Then you can decide on what course of action if any.

[ol' school]

Gary, I agree with everyone else. Consult a doctor and maybe even get a second opinion, then make a decision on what you want to do. I have had two back surgeries some years apart, discectomy of L5 - S1 and later L4 - L5. First disc herniation was a construction accident, second one was a firefighting accident. Both had one one my legs numb and in pain down to my feet. Both surgeries got me out of the pain and numbness I was in each time.

[lightnin]

I've had three, two blown discs and the last one they put me back together with an erector set. Fell off a ladder and broke the sucker this time but I was riding with it broke! The doc had to screw a bracket above the brake and one below the brake then put a titanium rod on each side of the spine to hold it all together.

I stayed in the hospital 4 days then was released and after follow up scans was released to ride so long as I didn't take one of my multi state road trips. Just don't hit a bump with one of these rough riding beast, that will hurt. I had this done the end of last October and it still lets me know when I act the fool. Like mentioned earlier do your research and find the best neuro guy around and go from there. Good luck with your back

[Trampas]

See the doctor, See the doctor and I mean see the doctor, he is the expert and none of us are. Granted we can give pointers and things like that but the doctor is the one you should listen and I mean check out and get the best back doctor where you are.

I hurt my back at work in the late 70's, was on light duty and doing every thing the plant doctor said, went to physical therapists, chiropratic and a slew of other things to no avail. Finally I requested to see a doctor that wasn't on the company payroll if you know what I mean, my union insurance guy told me about him and the company doesn't like him because he can't be bought, I ended up seeing him and I had a heriated disc L5-S2 or somewhere around in the very low back right above the hip. He prescribed a traction device which I did and back pain went away.

The company ended buying it for me later on but eventually the belt that went around my waist and up between legs detriorated enough I couldn't use, so I tried to get another one, sorry don't make it anymore, so I ended buying a inversion table out of my pocket and that is helping me, you hang upside for awhile, took awhile to get used to but it helps, I'm basically bone against bone in the lower back but I still get along ok, still use the upside down rack at least once a week and that gets me along ok.

I did have a doctor once told me that if I had the surgery I would be back to where I am in 2 years with the surgery so I was glad I picked the doctor I had, it won't do surgery unless it is neceassary. Some guys at work had back surgery for what I had, they had to change their lifestylce a little but they are doing ok.

All for now Trampas

P.S. As one poster said about going to the gym, not sure what you do there, if lifting weights that is not good for lower back or any part of your back, just saying, maybe curtail some things now and maybe your back won't hurt as much and LISTEN TO DOCTOR,



Sorry for the long post but I had to get it out

[ScottUSN]

It's all about completing the follow on physical therapy (rehab). Anyone you hear complaining about consistent pain after any type of surgery, probably did not complete the rehab. I remember hearing from several folks about the constant pain after rotator cuff repair (including that they could not raise their are past shoulder height). Each of them did not do any of the physical therapy. I (un-naturally) did exactly as ordered after the surgery and had a full recovery.

R/

Scott Smith

[GARYD]

I'm not looking for advice on getting an operation.......I'll let my doctor do that.

My question was - anybody out there have had back surgery and how are you doing afterwards and was it worth it? What is the approximate recovery time?

Thanks again for all your input

[arnie]

I'm not looking for advice on getting an operation.......I'll let my doctor do that.

My question was - anybody out there have had back surgery and how are you doing afterwards and was it worth it? What is the approximate recovery time?

Thanks again for all your input

I had discectomy l5. Instant relief of pain going down my left leg. I was back to mowing & riding the trike in less than 2 weeks. I rushed it & was told so, but i did not over do anything lifting wise. I'd do it again without hesitation.

[v4bob49]

I had surgery on my lower back 22 years ago for a ruptured disc. If I remember right, it was between L6 and L7. A small portion of the disc was protruding between the vertebra and pinching the sciatic nerve which was causing pain and numbness down my left leg. My left foot got so weak that I had to use the heel shifter to upshift.

Had an MRI and my doctor referred me to a neuro-surgeon. Had surgery to remove the portion of the disc that was causing the pain. Was only in the hospital over night. Then 7 weeks of rehab/PT and I was able to go back to work with no restrictions.

Prior to the surgery I had experienced problems with back pain for about 15 years. Since the surgery I my back has been fine. A little soreness occasionally, but nothing that has required any treatment or even a doctor visit.

[cavie]

I have spinal stenosis. I have 3 spacers in my lower spine for 3 years now. Superieon by Vertiflex. You will need a pain management doctor not a surgeon.

[kodiak198]

I had L3 L4 (I think that is right, it was at the belt line) fused about 3 yrs ago. Pain was bad and pretty much stopped me from walking.

After the surgery I was in hospital about 3 days. Came home to “bed rest” (couch during day, bed at night) for about a week and then started 3 days a week of home visits for for therapy. Then about 4 months of gradually increasing walking and moving around before release from doctor’s care.

I took my meds and did the exercise as directed religiously and I believe that helped my recovery and pain control.

There are days now that my back hurts BUT, nothing like it did pre-surgery. I would do it again if needed. I went from pain 80 / 90 % of the time at 5 - 6 range or higher to 10 / 15 % of time at 2 - 3 range and, on occasion, going higher.

My life was over at age 62 and looking back it was a huge influence in my retirement. Now, I feel like I’ve got a few more years to go.

If I recall correctly, the pain of recovery was less than pre-surgery. If your back is such that it is stopping you from living your life, than what have you got to lose? HOWEVER, I am not a doctor, I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night and I have been known to be wrong before. It is your decision, but I am a success story and I had a great medical team throughout my experience.

Good luck if you decide to have surgery and one recommendation from me is to get the mesh back brace if offered. Much more comfortable and cooler in hot weather.

[ctdair]

Almost 30 years ago I has l3-l4 fused , surgery was estimated at 2 to 3 hours and took 8. I was functionally paralyzed before surgery as any movement was unbearably painful. 3 days in hospital 3-4 weeks recovery wearing brace. It was no fun. The end results are worth the time and recovery. 60 years old now and back still doing great.

[Halfnormal]

I am a nurse, not a doctor. I do work in the Operating Room but I am not a surgeon.

Here are my suggestions from years of working with all kinds of surgeons and being a part of 1000's of back surgeries;

Look for a neurosurgeon, not an orthopedist that does back surgery. When the shit hits the fan, the neurosurgeon knows how to fix the problem.

Do get as many consultations as you can until you find the surgeon you feel comfortable with.

As stated above by the people who have had back surgery, do not expect miracles. Everyone is different and until the surgeon gets a look at the actual condition of your spine and discs, he does not know how much or little work he has in front of him.

Also stated above by the people who have had back surgery, your recovery will depend on how compliant with your physical therapy. Yes you know your body and limitations but PT knows what works and what does not.

I need to get surgery myself but I am stubborn and waiting until I can no longer function normally. I understand that I could have permanent nerve damage and actually continue to have pain after a successful procedure but that is my decision. What you do will be your decision. Make it by doing your due diligence in researching for the best surgeon and understanding what the surgeon is recommending for a solution to your condition.

Last of all, no matter how good a surgeon is, there are still chances of complications that cannot be foretold. No surgeon is perfect nor is every surgery.

[GTK]

Lot of truth and info in Halfnormal's post. There's a mini series on right now called Dr. Death which is based on a true story about a Texas back surgeon. If your thinking about back surgery,this will give you some thought.

[Moegy]

Had L4/L5 fused ten years ago. Not fun. Worth it? You bet. Couldn’t walk without pain. Had a great orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedics are bone doctors. Neurosurgeons are nerve doctors. Just my opinion. My fusion was with donor bone. All kinds of new methods out there today. Choose wisely. I have many biker friends who can’t ride anymore and take pain meds continuously. I still ride everyday, weather permitting. Get stiff? Yup. Sore? Not so much. But then I’m 77 and it’s mostly old age and 57 years on motorcycles. Best of luck.

[GARYD]

To be clear, my back pain is not constant. I can walk/run / ride my Harley / stand and sit with no pain. My lower back only gives me pain (bad) when I bend over or get in/out of a chair. If I KNEW it wasn't causing more damage, I would just live with it, but I'm afraid it is getting worse.

I have had rotator cuff surgery and a hip replaced so I am aware of doing rehab to the letter.

I'm just trying to get some idea on how long recovery time is. I try to get all my surgeries done after January 1st (I do a freeze your ass off ride on Jan 1st every year. Then I have the rest of the winter to recover.