Spinal stenosis?
- Thread starter robbor
- Start date
My father was diagnosed with this in his neck down in Florida 6 or 8 years ago. He got a referral to a specialist at the University of Michigan Medical School teaching hospital who was a teacher and one of the top specialists in the field.
They went up planning for a month for the surgery and recuperation and went in for the preoperative consultation several days before the scheduled surgery. The surgeon said she had just returned from a conference on his exact condition and one participant had presented a long term (10 year) study that concluded that patients who had undergone the very invasive surgery (with considerable risk) were no better off than those whose treatment regimen did not include surgery. She then reversed her own recommendation for surgery.
They went up planning for a month for the surgery and recuperation and went in for the preoperative consultation several days before the scheduled surgery. The surgeon said she had just returned from a conference on his exact condition and one participant had presented a long term (10 year) study that concluded that patients who had undergone the very invasive surgery (with considerable risk) were no better off than those whose treatment regimen did not include surgery. She then reversed her own recommendation for surgery.
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
I had the surgery 9 years ago. Had 2 channels in the vertebrae opened up in the lower back to get pressure off the nerve. The incision was maybe 2 inches.
I got out of the OR in the late afternoon and they decided to keep an eye on me over night. Primarily, the reason was that I had to urinate before leaving the hospital. When I got to my room for the night, the staff was trying to do the sheet slide thing to get me into bed. I stopped them and asked if it was ok to set up and get in the bed myself and they agreed, so I got up and put myself in bed.
About 3 AM, I woke up to use the facilities and afterward, walked to the nurses station and asked if they had coffee made. Since I had recently visited that nurses station a few weeks earlier and she recognized me, I was told that I was free to make coffee myself.
The doctor gave me prescriptions for pain killers and muscle relaxers ahead of time, but I never took any of them.
I wasn't allowed to drive for a week or so, but that was about it. I was gone from the hospital by 10 AM the day after the surgery.
The technology has come a long way since then and I would not be concerned about doing it again. The ability to install a replacement disc in the spine is there and is being done. A pilot friend of mine had a disc replaced in his neck because one of his arms would go numb. He said that the surgery was a total "non event" to him.
Wherever and whoever does the surgery, check them out, then check them out again. Talk to people that doctor has worked on, and get their feedback.
We are lucky to have some of the best medical facilities in the world here in Houston.
I got out of the OR in the late afternoon and they decided to keep an eye on me over night. Primarily, the reason was that I had to urinate before leaving the hospital. When I got to my room for the night, the staff was trying to do the sheet slide thing to get me into bed. I stopped them and asked if it was ok to set up and get in the bed myself and they agreed, so I got up and put myself in bed.
About 3 AM, I woke up to use the facilities and afterward, walked to the nurses station and asked if they had coffee made. Since I had recently visited that nurses station a few weeks earlier and she recognized me, I was told that I was free to make coffee myself.
The doctor gave me prescriptions for pain killers and muscle relaxers ahead of time, but I never took any of them.
I wasn't allowed to drive for a week or so, but that was about it. I was gone from the hospital by 10 AM the day after the surgery.
The technology has come a long way since then and I would not be concerned about doing it again. The ability to install a replacement disc in the spine is there and is being done. A pilot friend of mine had a disc replaced in his neck because one of his arms would go numb. He said that the surgery was a total "non event" to him.
Wherever and whoever does the surgery, check them out, then check them out again. Talk to people that doctor has worked on, and get their feedback.
We are lucky to have some of the best medical facilities in the world here in Houston.
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I had an L4/L5 fusion in 2010. It was successful but since my job was very physical I was unable to return to work for five months - three months longer than my doctor said it should have been. Things went well for about 18 months and then I developed two more stenosis in L3/L4 and L5/S1. Thus ending my career. It was at that time that I found out that one can expect a surgery every 18-24 months after the original for some time to come. Doctors are only too happy to put you under the knife without mentioning that little fact. Ask a lot of questions and plan on major changes to your lifestyle physically. I can shoot but only prone and it is a bear getting into and out of position. I would have opted for physical therapy as long as I could before I would go under the knife were I in your position. Too late for me but unless you can't walk I would avoid the surgical option for as long as possible.
PM me if you would like more info.
Mike
PM me if you would like more info.
Mike
Dr. JRS
where is yours? I am exactly 30 days off my 4th surgery. Last month was my L3/4, L5/S1. 12 days off surgery I went hunting, (stupid) walked in 1/3 like and climbed into a seater. I am cases, I was back to work light duty in 10 days, walking that day PAIN FREE. At 6 weeks I do physical therapy and eventually am released to full duty with a self imposed 45# free weight limit.
Here is the issue. Discs don't have a blood flow, therefore they don't heal. Eventually you will likely need a revision surgery. Also, as the disc collapses, it puts additional load on the ones above and below it which may damage them too. My ortho surgeon told me from jump that these last about 5 years and he's been spot on.
I understand I'm going to be jacked up forever at this point, but it didn't stop me from hiking about 3000 miles and 70+ waterfalls in the last six years(since the last one). Didn't stop me from shooting, hunting or working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. Before these surgeries I was almost bed ridden from massive sciatic and L3 leg pain. To point of losing more than 20# before all but this last survery. To say a these surgeries saved my life seems cliche but I live a full life becuase of them. You just need to understand what causes the issue and limit or eliminate it. It sucks when you re-injure but understand this is part of it, depending on how your disc is leaking.
My wife had her C5 and C6 bulging causing massive strength loss and pain in her left arm. An epidural, manual physicsl therapy and a neck stretch device called "The rack" used two to three times a day healed her. It took about 2 months but she has recovered 99% and just has to be careful.
You have option. Lots of us have been there brother. Hang in there, you'll beat it.
Chris
Here is the issue. Discs don't have a blood flow, therefore they don't heal. Eventually you will likely need a revision surgery. Also, as the disc collapses, it puts additional load on the ones above and below it which may damage them too. My ortho surgeon told me from jump that these last about 5 years and he's been spot on.
I understand I'm going to be jacked up forever at this point, but it didn't stop me from hiking about 3000 miles and 70+ waterfalls in the last six years(since the last one). Didn't stop me from shooting, hunting or working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. Before these surgeries I was almost bed ridden from massive sciatic and L3 leg pain. To point of losing more than 20# before all but this last survery. To say a these surgeries saved my life seems cliche but I live a full life becuase of them. You just need to understand what causes the issue and limit or eliminate it. It sucks when you re-injure but understand this is part of it, depending on how your disc is leaking.
My wife had her C5 and C6 bulging causing massive strength loss and pain in her left arm. An epidural, manual physicsl therapy and a neck stretch device called "The rack" used two to three times a day healed her. It took about 2 months but she has recovered 99% and just has to be careful.
You have option. Lots of us have been there brother. Hang in there, you'll beat it.
Chris
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I've had lower back pain for many years and put up with it until pain began to burn into my buttcheeks...nsaids did not help anymore. I got an MRI and diagnosis of "spinal stenosis". I elected to try an epidural injection of steroids by a physician who does this routinely. It was a miracle!!! I felt relief within hours and the next day I was pain free. I am now 4 months free of the stenosis pain...old age aching is there, but doesn't slow me down. You lose nothing by trying an epidural as long as you have it done by a physician who does a lot of them and has good responses. Surgery should be the last resort...ask about an epidural. Keep us informed.
Tim Singleton
Gold $$ Contributor
Put it off as long as you can is my advise. While there are a few success stories from my experience and people I know they are few and far
Multiple steroid injections over a couple years for me before the first surgery. A laminectomy minimally invasive didn't help.
Three surgeries later with a fusion at L5-S1 out of work for a year waiting for the fusion to set then had another surgery to remove the painful hardware. One of the screws was hitting the nerve root
Two years out from last surgery now been back at work for two years
Bottom line is there may come a time the pain is unbearable and you have surgery. But do all the PT and steroid injections you can to keep pushing that day out
My 10 year struggle with a bad back
Multiple steroid injections over a couple years for me before the first surgery. A laminectomy minimally invasive didn't help.
Three surgeries later with a fusion at L5-S1 out of work for a year waiting for the fusion to set then had another surgery to remove the painful hardware. One of the screws was hitting the nerve root
Two years out from last surgery now been back at work for two years
Bottom line is there may come a time the pain is unbearable and you have surgery. But do all the PT and steroid injections you can to keep pushing that day out
My 10 year struggle with a bad back
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powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis 30 years ago. At that time no one wanted to operate, saw 2 different Orthopedic surgeons and one Neurosurgeon. Lots of physical therapy, spinal injections etc. Nothing seemed to work.
5 years ago in great pain I saw a neurosurgeon, he said he could fix me up in 45 minutes. It took 1 1/2 hours as he had to do both the L4 and L5. Incision covered with a band aid. Got up to use the bathroom that night, went home next day. Very little pain from surgery, pain free after about a couple weeks. Pain free today.
5 years ago in great pain I saw a neurosurgeon, he said he could fix me up in 45 minutes. It took 1 1/2 hours as he had to do both the L4 and L5. Incision covered with a band aid. Got up to use the bathroom that night, went home next day. Very little pain from surgery, pain free after about a couple weeks. Pain free today.
My wife had C3-T1 laminectomy to "cure" loss of function in the last three fingers of her right hand. When she came out of surgery, she still had no use of the last three fingers in her right hand, AND she had lost use of last three fingers in her left hand. She is much worse off now. Try chiropracty, massage, and a second/third opinion before doing the surgery. There is no reversing the damage done by surgery.
Tim Singleton
Gold $$ Contributor
Let surgery be you last choice is all i will say further. Exhaust all other options
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
id say just try to do as much research as you can on your options. Dont take what any doctor tells you as gospel- check into it- the old saw about " to a carpenter everything looks like a nail applies". there are procedures offered some places and not others-- some doctors will try to sell you on what they do and not tell you about other options -ive been taking my dad (90 now) to lots of doctors the past ten years and hes probably still alive because we kept looking for what we felt were the best option for him. i will probably need knee replacement soon and ill be looking all over the country for the best option.
Can you give more details of your condition? Past treatments, numbness, weakness etc...
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
Joint replacement surgery is the one that scares the fool out of me. Not so much for the surgery itself, but the very real possibility of staph infection afterwards.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
No crackopractors for me. Had 5 neck and back surgeries. No pain. Mine was probably genetic.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
thanks for that info
None of the responders to the question has mentioned their age at time of surgery. Shooters forum isn't the place to get factual information regarding your question. My mother in law had surgery for spinal stenosis and it sort of worked. She was 84 at the time of the surgery. Get my drift? How many miles do you get on a set of snow tires?
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