Back operation

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

I had a fall in Feb 2009, resulting in a slipped disc and cracked verterbra and a 2 week stay in hospital. Following 9 months of physio I have days where the pain is bearable, and periods of the day when the pain is quiet extreme. I am unable to run/sprint as this is quite painful, and causes the pain to worsen for the next few days. I am in discomfort everyday. I don't take any medication as the pain comes and goes and I want to avoid drugs as much as possible.

My specialist has recommended a a fusion of L4/L5 which will result in a more stable back and remove the pressure my slipped disc is causing on nerves that travel down my leg. This is happening next week!

I was just wondering what people think about having this procedure, in terms of is it something you would recommend. I have read a few accounts of people having this and experiencing issues with the fusion not being succesful, and further back pains requiring further operations. However my reasoning for going for the op is that I am relatively young (40)and should be able to reover without any issues. It is also not an experimental procedure as such but I am nervous about it.

I will be very interested in hearing what people have to say.

You should hang out for a post by Ramrod, he's a chiropractor and by all accounts knows a thing or two about back pain. Personally ... I know nowt, so all I can offer is my thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery! I'd offer to walk the dog or get the papers for you if we lived a bit closer but it's a pretty long drive down south from here.

[banjo]

Having virtualy the same problems as you I have been in hospital quite a few times and have seen many other people who have similar problems, of those who have had operations I have yet to meet one of these people who have been cured the majority are worse off I would not let them operate on my back, the choice is yours !

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by Chris

You should hang out for a post by Ramrod, he's a chiropractor and by all accounts knows a thing or two about back pain. Personally ... I know nowt, so all I can offer is my thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery! I'd offer to walk the dog or get the papers for you if we lived a bit closer but it's a pretty long drive down south from here.

Well as I don't have a dog and read the news online don't feel too bad about it, lol. But thanks for the prayers and thoughts - much appreciated.

I have spoken to an orthapedic sugeon who suggest this is the next step too. As part of the physio I had a lot of sessions with a recommended chiropractor but the pain became worse. The back specialist did say to me to avoid manipulation techniques as the disc had prolapsed quite significantly - I did the chiro stuff provately and spent a fortune.

[Ramrod]

If conservative treatment (physio/chiro/excersises) hasn't helped then it's probably time for surgery.
There is no guarantee that surgery will help (speak to the surgeon about likely outcomes and risks) and I often see failed spinal surgery cases (but I wouldn't tend to get the sucessful ones coming to me would I? )
The only real downside of the fusion (if it helps) is that 10-15 years later you are fairly likely to have osteoarthritic changes at L3/4 and/or L5/S1 because of the extra movement demands through the levels adjacent to the fused level....but cross that bridge when you come to it. Has the prospect of a microdiscectomy been discussed?.....or is the bulge too massive?
Where in S London are you?