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Had 4 microdiscectomys and awaiting a spinal fusion

Posted , 4 users are following.

Dodgydiscs
Dodgydiscs

Over the past few years ive had problems with my lumber discs. Had 4 microdiscectomys atL4 L5 area on both sides. Just had a bi lateral decompression and microdiscectomy at end of january. Symptoms are still same now nerve pain in both legs sore back. Surgeon suggests i go back in 4wks to see her after having a further mri scan. Ct scan and full spine xray. With possible spinal fusion looming. Anybody in a similar situation?

Is it worth having a fusion? Will it work or not? Need to get my life back to normal. Back to work etc.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 Dodgydiscs

    Posted

    Me and my operation is booked for the end of may 💩 My self but needs must

  • Carolineq8
    Carolineq8 Dodgydiscs

    Posted

    I had l4/5 fussion 14 years ago and was told I'd be back to work 3-6 months, iv been in chronic pain since with more damage to other discs, thoracic spine and cervical, never returned back to work but always thought I would and fought hard to, it's been hell been on so many different medications.

    If you do go ahead (I hope you dont need to) then I would make sure you have physio as soon as you can because I think in my case if I'd had it I might not have suffered so much, good luck and I wish you well

    • Dodgydiscs
      Dodgydiscs Carolineq8

      Posted

      I spoke to my physio he said the same if physio is sooner the better. Im sure ive read online and surgeons tell you to have no physio for at least 3months etc. I just dont know how soon after your operation you should arrange it. I wouldnt know whether i was doing right or wrong.
    • Carolineq8
      Carolineq8 Dodgydiscs

      Posted

      There's all different levels of physio and would imagine taken slow steps to keeping mobile has to be better than nothing, also if We have pain we have a tendency to restrict ourselves incase we cause more damage and that's where the experts can help, it's very confusing 😊

  • allaroundanne
    allaroundanne Dodgydiscs

    Posted

    I love your name.  I am a retired pain management MD so of course my question is have you seen one of us to try any conservative measures like epidural steroids?  I'd try that before jumping into a fusion simply because a whole lot of my patients were failed back surgery patients sent to me by their surgeons who had fused them and they were still in pain.  However, once they have performed major surgery on you your epidural space is all scarred up and all the blocks and things we would do for you, including putting in spinal cord stimulators is just a whole lot harder to do.  So, my suggestion is to get a referral for a pain management doc before you make a decision to go ahead with a fusion surgery, at least go see what they have to offer you.

    • Carolineq8
      Carolineq8 allaroundanne

      Posted

      I have lumbar faucet joint injections every 4 months and they help massively

      With lower back pain, I just wish they could do something for the top but they won't do injections there 😊

    • Dodgydiscs
      Dodgydiscs allaroundanne

      Posted

      I tried to have epidural injections last year but it was very painful as anaesthetic wasnt working he tried so many times in spine to inject the steroid but he kept failing due to no space he said it was very tight i was in agony. He then proceded to give me an injection in my cocxyx area to give me some relief i had to have gas and air i was in a lot of pain. I certainly wouldnt have it again!!
  • allaroundanne
    allaroundanne Dodgydiscs

    Posted

    LOL Well I would have been remiss in my duty not to ask!  It sounds like your previous surgeries have messed up your epidural space so that those sorts of blocks can't be used anymore. Have you looked into spinal cord stimulators at all?  Some of us on this board have them and are doing well, others not so well.  It's certainly something to consider.  Just trying to give you options other than the fusion.

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