Anyone had back surgery?

[zzr1200]

I had my first appointment with a neurological surgeon tonight regarding my lower back, leg problems.

It appears my L4 disc is protruding into my splinal column and compressing my lower back/legs nerves causing sciatica and a load of other pain problems.

Apparently my problem is urgent, so I'm going to be under the knife in less than 2 weeks, then 4 to 6 weeks to recover hopefully.

Anyone been there and has the tee-shirt, looking for advice/your results from surgery?

 

[brightspark]

I spent 16 grand on an operation on wifes back and its worse than it was originally

 

[dobbslc]

My wife had that last year. She had surgery on Thursday and walked down the aisle with her sister on Saturday!
To put it into perspective how much difference it made it took me 40 minutes to get her from the top of the stairs to the car on that Thursday!
8" scar on her back now though.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have had similar last year.

In the neck C5 and C6, due to a broken neck, the vertebra had a abnormal bone growth, pressing on the nerve.
Thus taking my left arm out. But not for a good time.

The injections helped, but did not cure it. The key hole surgery was done under local and I was in and out in one day.

Recovery depends on what they do and how you react, It does not hurt, just don't look at the needles.

How successful it will be is hard to judge, but the recovery medication is good.


Best of luck.

Oh yes They cured the left leg not working with steroid injections.and pain killers.

 

[Screwdriver]

I had a foraminotmy recently (2 years ago), decompression of the cervical spine where the nerves had become trapped leading to paralysis. I imagine it will be a very similar procedure: open up the spinal column by cutting away all the muscle. Remove the protrusion, staple it back together. Lots of differnt ways to do that with a disk though. Do you know the precise procedure you will be undergoing?

Either way I guess you wont be moving much for a couple of days. Someone will need to check the dressing a couple of times a day (mine went rotten and led to complications). Might be a good idea to get in a few spare bed sheets, I threw mine out and bought new for reasons which will be come pretty obvious very quickly. Spend the next few weeks on a decent diet, lots of all the good stuff, none of the rubbish.

One of the biggest problems is you will be immobilised during the op for a long period of time. That in itself can lead to complications if you have any other preexisting issues. They should talk you through all that, take notes, do some research, everything should work out. Modern surgery is incredibly successful almost routine.

Good luck..

 

[MCKDAVID]

had a herniated disc, on the lower 3rd & 4th about 15 years ago now. It got the stage that I couldn't walk, I left it too long to get sorted, , always a couple of paracetemol and it'll be fine tomorrow, except it wasn't.. medivacced from the platform, couldn't get up and down the stairs.. after a MRI scan they said surgery, no other solution as it had crushed the sciatic nerve to the point of no, or little feeling in my right lower leg. The next day back for surgery, operated and out for the weekend. massive difference, could move without pain before, although it took a long time to get fully right though. I was off work for nearly 4 months in all, and because I was medivacced, I had to get a back to work medical, full set of tests again before I was allowed back offshore.
Surgery definitely the best thing for me, not that I had the choice though. The sensation in my lower leg / foot came back mostly, but not all, even now, permanent damage, just live with it. Now I can work as normal, but anytime I'm lifting, I have to use the strongest muscle first.. my brain; to see how I can do it, not stress the back etc.

good luck with it... and take it slow, I think that's what caused me most of the problems, trying too soon...

 

[Robotstar5]

My sister had similar but it was the spine not the discs growing abnormally and pressing on the spine, they went in and shaved a couple of them back, she was off her feet so long she almost had to learn to walk again

 

[cardiffrob]

Spinal fusion on L4-L5-S1. About 3 years ago. Burst/protruding discs pressing on nerves leading to partial paralysis. Sounds similar. Here is a photo of my repair, mid surgery....


Good luck.

Rob Thomas.

Mods. Is this permitted?

MOD Edit:...Nope photo not allowed sorry, bit too gory for the forum.

 

[Fazerruss]

Spinal fusion on L4-L5-S1. About 3 years ago. Burst/protruding discs pressing on nerves leading to partial paralysis. Sounds similar. Here is a photo of my repair, mid surgery....



Good luck.

Rob Thomas.

Mods. Is this permitted?

MOD Edit:...Nope photo not allowed sorry, bit too gory for the forum.

Rob you ought to send a private message and remove your phone number from public view to avoid junk and scam phone calls.

 

[frank horton]

sounds horrific, but the Supervet does this stuff all the time...........prob better than the idiot (read surgon) that messed my foot........
good luck.........Frank

 

[cardiffrob]

OK. I'll remove my details once ZZR has indicated that he has seen them. Ta.

 

[zzr1200]

Thanks cardiffrob number noted.

 

[zzr1200]

OK. I'll remove my details once ZZR has indicated that he has seen them. Ta.View attachment 125134

Looks something like mine.

 

[zzr1200]

Ok an update.
I've been told by the surgeon that I go in on the morning of the 13th (Wednesday) have the operation in the afternoon. I'll be in overnight, then on my feet in the morning and going home late afternoon on the 14th.

He'll be working through a hole about 40mm long.

The NHS are paying for a private hospital to do the op, but the surgeon at the private hospital, just happens to be the boss/chief neuro surgeon at the local NHS hospital. Talk about cherry pick your cases......

 

[Burdekin]

Ok an update.
I've been told by the surgeon that I go in on the morning of the 13th (Wednesday) have the operation in the afternoon. I'll be in overnight, then on my feet in the morning and going home late afternoon on the 14th.

He'll be working through a hole about 40mm long.

The NHS are paying for a private hospital to do the op, but the surgeon at the private hospital, just happens to be the boss/chief neuro surgeon at the local NHS hospital. Talk about cherry pick your cases......

If they ask if a young dr can assist or do the op make sure you say no way. I've had a surgeon mess up due to not focussing properly on what he was doing.

 

[cardiffrob]

As the anaesthesisitists if they can take some photos whilst you're 'under'. Always interesting to see inside yourself.

Have the biggest poo ever before you go in. Not much fun having to 'Ahem!' laying down in a hospital bed.

Take the pain meds they offer. No bonus points for being a Hero!

Get the house set up ready for your return. Phone charger by the bed, bell to summon the other half, TV remote with spare batteries etc etc.

Get one of those 'Grabber' helping-hand things. It took me about 12 months to be able to bend enough to put on my own socks.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Important after surgery tip.

The mans bladder release control is almost the last one to eturn to normal after a "general".

So when you are recovering, sip the drinks. DO NOT DRINK LIKE A THIRSTY CAMAL!!!!!!!.

Until you are able to control that function.


Think tube and bottle and a small hole.
Not a brake bleeding device.

 

[zzr1200]

If they ask if a young dr can assist or do the op make sure you say no way. I've had a surgeon mess up due to not focussing properly on what he was doing.

I was told, if I have any problems between now and the 13th l have to phone the emergency number l have been given and go straight in, there'll be no apprentice surgeons poking around in my back.

 

[Cobbler]

Best of luck with the op ZZR

 

[zzr1200]

As the anaesthesisitists if they can take some photos whilst you're 'under'. Always interesting to see inside yourself.

I've seen enough of my insides in the scan of my back, I might try and get the sideways and vertical cross-sections if l can to post up here.

Have the biggest poo ever before you go in. Not much fun having to 'Ahem!' laying down in a hospital bed.

Take the pain meds they offer. No bonus points for being a Hero!

Get the house set up ready for your return. Phone charger by the bed, bell to summon the other half, TV remote with spare batteries etc etc.

Get one of those 'Grabber' helping-hand things. It took me about 12 months to be able to bend enough to put on my own socks.

Defo poo before.

Pain meds bring them on, I'll be flying please. (I was on morphine when I had my heart attack for a weekend on drip....).

House will be ready, with servants in place.

Several times over the past 30+years I've had practice of putting my socks on with 2 walking sticks.

Looking forward to being pain free hopefully, but worried about having the op. I don't mind cutting myself or breaking bits but having someone poking about in my back just plain worries me.