Op or not

[curiouswoman]

I was wondering what people thought about back ops. I have suffered from back pain for years (I am a 33 year old male) and I have had various MRI scans. I had gone through about 3 years of limited manageable pain. Last year I had a relapse and since then I have not been able to shift the pain. I finally lost patience with extensive physio and went privately to see a consultant. After another MRI he told me that the l4/l5 prolapse was still there and an operation was my only option. He did not discuss injections and when i asked him about physio, lifetsyle changes (no more running or weights) he scoffed and said an op was the only way forward. He also has me on 600mg of pragabalin which i am desperate to get off. I really do not want an op and wondered if anyone has any ideas of how to get out of the cycle of drugs and pain without an op? At the moment life is manageable but there has to be a better way! Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Teilbadd]

Well surgeons are in the business of doing surgery, so he can tell you what he can offer, but that doesn't mean he knows everything.

I would suggest that there are other routes to explore, whether a different physio or a different profession altogether. It may be a fairly entrenched problem by now so may not yield quickly, but I wouldn't rule out avoiding surgery until you've had another opinion.

Go to someone really good - it sounds obvious but it's the main thing. You may need to ask around to find the right person, the point being that just because one manual therapist hasn't sorted it out does not mean that in principle this route can't help. Good luck.

 

[alimbiviagnog]

Tallen - when the pain is no longer managable then go for the op. I had a discectomy at L5/S1 at the end of November and I would have it again if needs be. The constant pain down my leg has gone and I'm able to walk and stand without pain. I've never been a runner but I'm hoping that now I've started my physio I will be able to go for long walks in the summer as well as do my garden - something which I've not been able to do for the last two years.

 

[dnhakomn]

have suffered with back pain for some 5 years now,i am 30 now, i have had episodes where it has been really bad, sort of gone and been bearable. Last November it starting getting really bad and has only got worse, i havnt really done any sport since.I had another mri confirming the disc bulge on my nerve.. I have done the physio thing, had the nerve block injection which only helped for a short time.. It is now bad again, i cannot straighten up properly and am bent forward when walking, as this causes the pain, seem in both legs the mo. I dont walk i shuffle! when i turn over in bed! the pain is bad!
I went to see the orthopedic spinal surgeon at bupa cardiff, he has recommended L4/L5 decompression, which is booked for the 12/3/09.

I dont really want to go under the knife, but i have gone from being active, surfing mountain biking, to doing absolutely nothing!!!

Is this the only route?

 

[kaligulau]

im not sure what type of procedure it is actually, the letter just says L4/5 decompression, i will need to ask ??

 

[queenofdiamonds]

Ask "Decompression by what surgery method".

 

[ms manners]

I have posted this reply on 2 other threads where you have ask the same question Smitho!!

Yes Smitho, In Wales, its all they will offer you. Success with your decopression procedure will depend on the dilligence and humanity of your Surgeon. I made 2 'freedom of information' requests to the spine unit in Cardiff, most of the BUPA Spine Surgeons are also NHS Spine Surgeons, and they informed me that they did not 'record or keep' records of how safe or successful their procedures are!!

If you have private health insurence then check out;
www.spinal-foundation.org
To cross referrence, have a look at the following sites showing the 'future' of spinal surgery being carried out 'today' in the USA.
www.bonati.com
www.laserspineinstitute.com
www.microspine.com
www.zerospinepain.com
www.www.sdspineinstitute.com
www.spinecenter.com
Also view, for research purposes;
www.spineuniverse.com
www.back.com
www.chirogeek.com
www.spine-health.com

If you decide to go through with the decompression Smitho, Here's wishing you all the very best and here's hoping for a speedy and successful recovery!!

Best wishes



SPINELF

 

[jace72]

I'm having same op as you shelly so you think it has worked for you?