OLD GUYS/GALS-SPINAL STENOSIS

[Blu-meanie]

Anybody had or know of someone who has had back fusions that worked? I'm in have three vertibra that needs that done to. I've had Lumbar Laminectomy on them and two steroid injections, but nothing good in the fixing department. I know of a few that had it done, none that were completely satisfied, two that made the pain worse, and two that died fo infection (something I contacted with the Laminectomy-staf).

Thanks

 

[Topzide]

I'm fused in neck at C5-C6 and back from L3-S1. Was bone on bone in back. Surgery has kept me out of a wheel chair! Still have to deal with pain issues due to the damage from fall off of roof! Stay away from the injections as new study links advanced arthritis is being caused by them. Pending the life style you live, you many be able to have minimal pain with surgery to deal with. Options are, surgery to keep things from going south if you slip or fall, manage what you have, surgery with pain management or surgery and a neuro implant to control pain. Have been dealing with this since 2005 with surgery in 2008 - 09. If doing surgery, use a neurosurgeon and not an orthopedic. Better trained in any what ifs they might encounter! PM me for any more details.

 

[endoscott]

Remember a couple things on your journey-"if you are a hammer everything looks like a nail"...surgeons like to do surgery...and often downplay the potential complications. My wife had rotator cuff surgery from a "top guy" . They saw her briefly a couple times for post-op then blew her off and told her they would charge for every subsequent visit. It took 2 years to become completely functional again.

Second thing is "50% of doctors are below average" right? You can't argue with simple math. Use due diligence in your search for who is going to cut on you. Are they operating with the aid of an operating microscope? Do they have multiple surgeries going at the same time with auxiliary people doing most of the procedure? I would do a very deep dive before letting someone do this kind of very invasive surgery.

Are you already doing everything possible non-surgically? Proper weight loss, correct exercise recommended by PT, therapeutic massage etc?

 

[Blu-meanie]

Remember a couple things on your journey-"if you are a hammer everything looks like a nail"...surgeons like to do surgery...and often downplay the potential complications. My wife had rotator cuff surgery from a "top guy" . They saw her briefly a couple times for post-op then blew her off and told her they would charge for every subsequent visit. It took 2 years to become completely functional again.

Second thing is "50% of doctors are below average" right? You can't argue with simple math. Use due diligence in your search for who is going to cut on you. Are they operating with the aid of an operating microscope? Do they have multiple surgeries going at the same time with auxiliary people doing most of the procedure? I would do a very deep dive before letting someone do this kind of very invasive surgery.

Are you already doing everything possible non-surgically? Proper weight loss, correct exercise recommended by PT, therapeutic massage etc?

I already did the microscope thing and exercise and massage probably won't help bone on bone and buldging discs. Thanks though.

 

[Topzide]

Yes, due diligent on picking the right surgical team to preform the surgery! Went through plenty of testing to make sure of what and where was needed. Weight management is a big thing with a back issue! Stretching and movement play a big part in the healing process which could last the rest of your time span. You'll have to learn to deal with pain, it can drive you nuts! I use pain to tell me to limit or stop activity. Have to plan on how to accomplish the task in front of me. You just keep moving ahead and make the best of what you are dealt! I've been through injections in the past without any real relief from them, took 5-6 days to kick in and wouldn't last more than a day or two and back on the same path! As time passes and I'm not having the duties that I have now, will look into the neuro-implant that blocks the pain signals. Still need to weld and work with voltage around the house to keep place from falling apart and keep tractor and plow rig together in case of snowfall to be able to get out to main road! Just have to plan, plan and plan some more. Just glad that I was able to get my 3500! The ride doesn't bother my like other vehicles in the past. Hang tough with what you've been dealt and appreciate the time you have left!

 

[GrantP]

"50% of doctors are below average" right? You can't argue with simple math.

I got a laugh out of that one. Excellent advice no matter what the profession.

 

[06 Dodge]

Anybody had or know of someone who has had back fusions that worked? I'm in have three vertibra that needs that done to. I've had Lumbar Laminectomy on them and two steroid injections, but nothing good in the fixing department. I know of a few that had it done, none that were completely satisfied, two that made the pain worse, and two that died fo infection (something I contacted with the Laminectomy-staf).

Thanks

I had 3 laminectomy's at L3/4 & L5s1, 2 in 1986 the other in in 1988, I refuse to let them do fusion on me do no major instability in the spine... Now my oldest brother had a 2 level fusion with hardware, but a year later they had to go back in and remove the hardware and the 3 inch screws they used do to pain, I can say so far he is doing very well, I'm surprised that he can do limited Yoga where I can not.

 

[wyosteve]

Put off a fusion as long as you can. You will likely end up with adjacent segment disease at some point after the fusion which just necessitates another fusion or pain treatment.

 

[slowmover]

I “consulted “ three high end surgeons twenty years ago (had gold plated insurance then)

Three solutions

As I was acquainted or friends with similar problems of whom several were WORSE afterwards, I declined

True, I can’t do what I used to now in my sixties. Rather, I get tired sooner. Old age came early, in other words.

A roll of the dice.

Since we now know that the medical is incentivized to maim or kill to guarantee their profit, why chance it?

OTC pain meds do nearly everything I need. Some shoes with ortho inserts does the rest.

Getting used to paying others to do what I used to is the only real adjustment.

Diet to get to high school weight is the thing. Not 30-lbs or 100-lbs over.

There is no magic.

His Guidance you should query.


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