DON'T have surgery, PERIOD! 25+ years ago, I was having major back issues(pain, discomfort, flexibility, etc.) as a result of too much basketball, running, and golf. I chose to rehab vigorously and have never missed a beat. Major ab work with a stretching program has kept me off the injured reserve for many years. My #1 problem was extremely tight hamstrings, which I don't have a problem with anymore. You may someday need surgery, but at least give getting into better shape a try. Good LuckI am in the process of seeing a neurosurgeon considering some fairly complicated back surgery. Has anyone out there had any back surgery in the past several years and if so could you please tell me your experience----thanks for all of your input and gl in all future wagers.
I am in the process of seeing a neurosurgeon considering some fairly complicated back surgery. Has anyone out there had any back surgery in the past several years and if so could you please tell me your experience----thanks for all of your input and gl in all future wagers.
Right Here %^_ I had Total disc replacement , it will be 3 years this month.
Did this over the Norm of a Fusion because it still gives you the movement in your Back. The Fusion does not.
When I had it done, there were only 11 Surgeons in the U.S that did this type of Surgery.
But it sounds like you might have something else. Where on the Back is the problem ?? Lower ? Upper ??
I spent 2 years going to Orthopedic and neurosurgeons. Plus did the Pain management shit as well.
You name it, and I just about did it Before I had my Surgery.
Oh, BTW. I'm about 80% better Today then before My surgery.
My father has the last 4 lumbar fused and titanium rods put in. Packed it with cadavor bone. Never took. Year later they took out the old stuff and put new in and packed with his own bone. They went in from the back and then had to open up is guts to pack it from both sides.
He is 73 and is now 2 inches shorter. Always walks tilted. Do anything you can to avoid surgery. Try alternative things.
He is 73 and is now 2 inches shorter. Always walks tilted. Do anything you can to avoid surgery. Try alternative things.
Simon - I am a rep for spine products and am in th OR daily for spinal cases. Some surgeons are better than others and some procedures are better than others. You must go through months of physical therapy before surgery is an option. Only choose surgery if the pain persists and makes daily life not liveable. If possible shy away from multilevel fusion as movement (lateral bending, flex/extend, or rotation) can be limited.
Talk with your neurosurgeon and find out if you are a candidate for the total disc replacement. This maintains normal movement without fusion. Insurance issues are often the limiting agent for these cases.
Not sure where you're located but if surgery is a must I can give you a couple good surgeons to look at.
Talk with your neurosurgeon and find out if you are a candidate for the total disc replacement. This maintains normal movement without fusion. Insurance issues are often the limiting agent for these cases.
Not sure where you're located but if surgery is a must I can give you a couple good surgeons to look at.
It is common to do a 360 and operate from the back and front. The point of the rods/screws/plates is to provide temporary stabilization while bone is healing and fusing together. The quality of the bone implant (synthetic, donor bone, your own bone), the tightness of the fit of the implant in the disc space and 'packer' bone put in to induce bone growth are what is causing the fusion in 12-18 months. The metal will fail if bone nevers grows.
I had 2 of my disc's removed years ago (L3, L4) by Dr Jim Boscardin.
He was at the time a family friend and a team physician for the Chicago White Sox.
He put me thru extensive therapy before we got to the knife. I like my others tried every thing on the planet before the surgery.
Dr. Jim told me he would NEVER recommend fusion. The mobility restriction being the major draw back.
As a result of my surgery, I have about 85-87 % pain-free days. I'm glad I had it done.
Each person is different so consult your doctor and get a second opinion before surgery.
bol.:toast:
He was at the time a family friend and a team physician for the Chicago White Sox.
He put me thru extensive therapy before we got to the knife. I like my others tried every thing on the planet before the surgery.
Dr. Jim told me he would NEVER recommend fusion. The mobility restriction being the major draw back.
As a result of my surgery, I have about 85-87 % pain-free days. I'm glad I had it done.
Each person is different so consult your doctor and get a second opinion before surgery.
bol.:toast:
Very true, and Yes the Insurance is a Bitch with this. The cost is somewhere around $50K
You need to be Pre-Approved before they do the Disc Replacement.
And yes, you need to go through everything before Surgery !
It was my first Surgery EVER !
Just to let you know, this Disc replacement surery takes under 1 hour.
It was a Breeze :drink:
My dad had 3 surgeries on his back. One was fusion of some disks, and one was the titanium shit in his back. On the third surgery, they went in from the front and through the stomach, intestines, etc to work on the back. He almost didn't survive after the surgery. There were blood clots all over the fucking place. Today, he still has major digestive issues.....funny thing, back still sore....but after #3, he aint never going back under the knife.
Although for every horror story I hear on back surgeries, I hear one of someone that is thrilled and pain-free.
In my mind, surgery should be a last resort.
Although for every horror story I hear on back surgeries, I hear one of someone that is thrilled and pain-free.
In my mind, surgery should be a last resort.
