I’ve spent the last week or so contemplating my back surgery. I scheduled surgery for November 5th, 2012 and I was scheduled to have a partial diskectomy (shaving off the bulge on my L5-S1 disk) and a have my L4-L5 joint fused. Well, spinal fusion is a big deal. I’ve read so many negative things about it and the pain and recovery are intense. I read one study that said the average recovery 15 months! Additionally, fusing one joint puts more strain on the surrounding joints and many people have additional fusions to fix the problems the first fusion causes.
I have leg pain consistent with a pinched L5 nerve, the nerve that exits the spine between vertebrae L-5 and S-1. Just so happens I also have a herniated disk right there and on the same side the pain is on. The evidence seems to point to that herniated disk. I also have that slipped disk and my spine is offset slightly just above that, but I have no pain I can associate with that. The L4 nerve, the one that exits between L-4 and L-5, runs down your leg also, but in different areas. I have no pain in those areas and no significant back pain.
Back surgery is usually a last resort. I’ve tried exercise, chiropractic care, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and a cortisone shot to help that leg pain and none worked. Surgery makes sense, especially because the surgery for the herniated disk is fairly straight forward. Spinal fusion is not so straight forward and I’ve never tried to fix the problem, a problem I wasn’t even aware of before the surgeon took an x-ray to help him with my herniated disk surgery, with non-surgical methods. I haven’t done specific exercises, lost weight or done any physical therapy, decompression, etc.
I should though. Without specific pain and without any non-surgical treatment for the slipped disk and offset vertebrae, I can’t see doing something so invasive and recovery intensive. If I had debilitating pain from that problem, even then I’d try non-surgical techniques first. Spinal fusion is serious business and can cause other problems. The failure rate is relatively high. I’m 46 and I have a lot of time left to live and do damage the surrounding joints that would have to work harder to make up for the fused joint. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life climbing up my spine with fusions or cause a new problem to fix something that really isn’t a problem.
I’ve contacted my surgeon and I’m waiting hear back. I’m hoping they will go along with my wishes and see my logic. If not, I’ll find another surgeon. I would have to hear a lot to change my mind. People, maybe even you, live with slipped disks, compressed disks, herniated disks, etc. without any symptoms or with manageable symptoms. I’d rather lose weight (4.6 lbs so far), do physical therapy, even take mild painkillers than spend 12 months in pain and recovery. I’m young and I’d rather be out doing stuff.
So, that’s the latest update. I’ll post again after I discuss this with my surgeon, hopefully today or Monday, and see what’s what. Oh, by the way, if my medical terminology is off, please excuse me.
Oct 12, 2012 @ 13:36:38
Sounds like a well thought out plan to be. I’ll keep you in my thoughts for good recovery and progress “sans” surgery!
Oct 13, 2012 @ 16:25:41
Well, I’m still probably going to have surgery, but not the fusion. Just losing the offending part of my L5-S1 disk that’s pressing on my nerve. A much less invasive procedure that had a normal recovery period with much less pain. Thanks!
Oct 12, 2012 @ 16:45:13
I never usually leave comments on blogs, but I feel I have to here. I know nothing about spinal fusion so I cannot comment on that. And whatever you do, do not have laser surgery at all—apparently that is disastrous for your spine/nerves. I had similar surgery (but not fusion; I had a laminectomy) at 34 ( I am now 40), with the L5/S1 problem, and I was in real agony for 7 months, trying everything you have. I was basically unable to function on a normal, everyday level. I ended up going back to the UK (I’m a Brit living in Japan) for surgery and paid for it privately as the waiting time in regular hospitals was about 8 months and most of the patients waiting for surgery were addicted to painkillers by the time they had surgery, Surgery is a last resort, for sure, but I so far have had no problems and my recovery was very quick. I do have a sizable scar on my back though of about 8cm long. If you are not in debilitating pain I would recommend you lose weight first (my doctor told me not to gain any weight from now on, and to stay fit and healthy)—I recommend you walk and swim, and do not do anything in the gym/anything too strenuous. I can sympathize a lot with you and anyone who has this pain,but you are still young and so if you do have surgery make sure it is the very last resort and make sure the doctor is not “surgery happy,” and by that I mean quick to recommend surgery without considering all other options. I wish you the best. I wish I was retired……!! Working on it…..
Oct 13, 2012 @ 16:31:19
Glad you surgery worked out. I have a great surgeon and I have every confidence he would do a fantastic job and I know I’d follow through on all the therapy. Still, it’s a huge deal and without trying other options first, it’s not a good idea. My pain from my herniated disk is debilitating and the surgery for that is much simpler. I’ve tried everything to alleviate that with no success. The slipped disk, I didn’t even know I had that until that x-ray. I was seeing another orthopedic doctor prior and I don’t blame my surgeon (that’s all he does) wanting to fix the problem he was presented with. I will likely go back to my other doctor to work on the slipped disk issue after I recover. Thanks!
Dec 20, 2012 @ 17:51:11
did u have the fusion?? iam facing this same thing and have suffered for almost a year so far
Dec 25, 2012 @ 09:42:24
If you mean me, I did not and will not unless it becomes absolutely necessary. I have been doing water therapy, riding my new bike and I will start land therapy after the new year. I’m seeing a rehab specialist now and I’ve seen significant improvement. I can walk and stand longer without pain and do much more, such as cooking Thanksgiving dinner with little pain or going to Disneyland with manageable pain. I’ve lost about ten pounds and as soon as we get all this Christmas food out of the house, I plan to lose more. I’d suggest trying every option before surgery. Don’t take no for an answer. Try therapy, cortisone shots, losing weight, whatever. also read these updates:
http://beingretired.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/more-decisions-and-a-new-attitude
http://beingretired.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/moving-on-without-going-under-the-knife
http://beingretired.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/an-update-on-the-back