Anyone had minimally invasive back surgery?

[GetX'd]

Guys - I need some moral support to in turn support my wife. She's a 10 year bedside Nurse. The kind that takes care of you when you're in the hospital. Her back has taken a severe turn for the worse. She's been thru physical therapy, and epidural injections - nothing seems to help. She has two bulging/herniated discs and some stenosis.

We're considering a minimally invasive surgery for her low back. She's in pain every day and is very stubborn about any medication. Have any of you had a similar surgery and what's your opinion?

Any support would help. We're kind of at a loss. Thanks guys.

 

[Mr Roadrunner]

My wife is also an RN. She thinks her back problems started by helping a patient in bed who was basically immobile. She was helping to bathe this person, and noticed a odd feeling in her back. Several months later, while getting dressed, she picked her leg up to put on a pair of pants and hit the floor. She ruptured a disc, and required surgery. I helped a friend of mine saw up a downed tree in my back yard. I worked a swing shift job at the time and happened to be on a night shift. His saw woke me up one afternoon, and I went out immediately to help. That night at work, I noticed my back was hurting, and long story short it never went away. This was in February, and I had surgery in July for a bulging/ruptured disc. We both have a stiff/sore back constantly, but it is no where close to the pain pre surgery. The doctors told both of us we would have to change our life style, and be constantly aware of our back problems (no heavy lifting, etc...). We both agree that the surgery helped with the pain, but there are some side effects. My advice is find a neuro-surgeon with a good reputation in your area. I delt with an orthopedic surgeon initally, and talked with a neuro-surgeon as a second opinion. The latter was more thorough with the diagnosis and ultimately preformed my surgery. I have no regrets. I was back to work in approx. 4 weeks. Surgery in my opinion is a last resort, but you can only live with so much pain. Good luck and I hope this helps some. I will be praying for your wife and hope she gets well soon.

 

[A383Wing]

I have 3 bad discs...never have done the surgery, heard bad reports from people after it was done....I opted for the Cortisone shots in my back...never felt better

 

[Dennis H]

L1 and L2 here. Been about 40 years since the injury. The epidural works for me. Third time was the charm, the doc nailed it. Got relief in about an hour. I've had about 5 shots over 15 years as needed. He says it is less harmful than over-medicating on a regular basis. My liver has more important work to do. Every move I make is calculated to prevent injury. When I forget and get reckless, bad things can happen. I take zero meds or pain killers. On a day when I have a work meeting, I may take 2 Alleve so to appear employable. Good luck. I also have an inversion table that seems to help. Used daily.

 

[Rick62]

I have two herniated discs and stenosis. I had my MRI evaluated for the possibility of "minimally invasive surgery". In my case the surgeon told me it would not be effective. You may want to look into Radio Frequency Ablation. This procedure is even less invasive than laser surgery and in some cases can be very effective.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/radiofrequency-neurotomy/basics/definition/PRC-2001345

 

[alsant]

Had two upper discs. Fused 10 yes ago , best thing no pain now on upper. Now i have two lower bulging discs. That just started to bother me , so I will have some epidurals until it does not help any more. Then i will go nack to the surgen who did my upper discs. I think for surgery you need to find a good surgen . Good luck to your wife.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Oh let me tell you a story.
I didn't get the minimally invasive surgery I got the old fashioned cut me open like a pig and flop it all out to the side and hope it go's back together right surgery.So let me tell you a little about this so you know to stay clear of this style surgery.
So I'm 28 years old got in a horrific car accident it did all sorts of damage to may back! Wonderful workmanship comp picked up the tab.and the fiasco started! 3 years later I finely get a surgery (at this point I'll take anything) so we do the surgery and I'm now in worse shape then I was before the surgery. And to add to the problems w c. Says f off the doctor says I don't want to touch you anymore(don't want to be held responsible for any problems) so now I'm taking 4-5 heavy narcotics a day plus a bunch of other pills and don't see the end in site. So heead my warning don't let them go old school on her, and try like hell not to let them do anything. Try chiropractors first try a tenze unit try a professional back rubber all these make life a little better .
Injection s didn't work for me ether made it hurt worse for a few days till the extra fluid leaked out .
I'm not saying the way your going is bad I wish I did that but try other routes first till you have no other choice
Good luck and I wish her well

 

[Dennis H]

The third epidural was the charm for me. First 2, no result. Third time, Dr.Tran nailed it and found the spot. I could tell on the table as the pressure went in. Walking on air an hour later. Asked the doc how long it would last. He said 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years who knows. During one flare up, I was given the Lyrica etc. Drugs screwed me up, dull pain all the time, couldn't drink or sleep. Ugly life. Been about 2 years now. Just calculating my moves to prevent injury. Gotta watch jarring too. Sometimes need to launch over a retaining wall on the job. So far so good.

 

[alsant]

I did everything from chiropractor to acupunctor. This all helped for awhile , but I had to have the fused discs. at some point cause they were only getting worse. My doc was a Neuraligist , he was very good and he was trying to get me two artificle discs. but my insurance would only pay for one. I could not wait anymore so I had them fused. Pain becomes part of your life for some of us and I geuss you have to find a way to deal with it.

 

[Daves69]

Had micro disc surgery in the late 90's.
My right sciatic nerve got to a point I couldn't stand for 5 minutes.
The pain was really intense.
Went in for surgery in the morning and was walking the hospital corridors pain free in the afternoon.
Only one day in the hospital including the surgery. A week later I was back to work limited duty for few weeks. No issues with that since.

http://www.herniateddiscbacksurgery.com/micro-back-surgery.shtml

 

[moparnation74]

For some of us in the medical field we are the best caregivers but the worst patient's....

I do understand her dilemma with pain management with medications. Along with a juggle between pain and work. However, constantly suffering with pain, due to a high pain tolerance is not good either....

I would explore all pain management routes completely prior to surgery. In regards to a surgical procedure I would find a well known top notch spinal surgeon and you may have to travel. Yes, it is an inconvenience but it is her spine, right!

 

[ws23jrt]

The term "minimally invasive" is a term I hear in advertising.
In the real world the problem we may have would dictate the kind of treatment needed.

I recently had lower back surgery on 1-2 and three. It was for stenosis. The new tools they use these days allow for extensive work to be done inside the spine without the need to split it completely open. This may be what some refer to as "minimally invasive"??

When I saw the doc. after the surgery (I was flat in bed) He told me I would feel a big difference when I stood up (later that day). He was right. I had some pain from the wound but when I stood up I stood straight for the first time in years. I also could walk without leg pain.
My issue was a structural issue that was caused by years of hard working of my spine and bone growth had been in places that became an interference with posture as well as pinched nerves.

Every patient has their own issues that call for unique methods to fit the type of cure.

 

[snakeoil24]

Go to Stanford University for help with your back. The Best doctors are also associated with the best Hospitals.

 

[747mopar]

I've got a severely herniated disc in my lower back that when flared up is at least a month of hell. Had an MRI and they wanted to do surgery but I was able to doctor myself back to health, it's a chess game of not making the wrong move and staying active and limber but feel 100%...... until I booger it up again. I've heard allot of good things from several people who have had the surgery but I'm saving it as the last option.

 

[Roger63]

my father has had to back surgeries, both times for a partially crushed vertebrae. the first surgery was in the early seventies the second was this past February both were very successful I guess the only advice I have to give choose your surgeon carefully

 

[GetX'd]

Thanks a lot for all the replies and helpful information. She's gotten even worse and can hardly stand or sit for very long. It's finally clicked with their that taking pain medication has a real place it isn't just for "frequent fliers" as they often call them in the hospital. People need that kind of medication for a reason. We called the doctor today and tried to get a prescription - boy has that gotten complicated because of all the addiction publicity. It practically takes an act of congress to get one. The doctor was doing surgery today and hopefully will respond tomorrow.

She also needs to take some time off work and can't do so apparently without a letter from the same Doctor. I feel so bad for her because I love her - but also because I know she's not a malingerer and works her tail off. To be going thru all this is kind of heart wrenching.

We're scared to death to have the back surgery but that's what they're recommending. The injections seem to have made things worse. We have a second opinion neuro Doctor coming up - the first guy was an orthopedic spine specialist. This all came up kind of sudden in that she barely ever said anything - to she was in extreme pain.

Again - I/we appreciate all the helpful knowledge you all have been sharing. Any others would certainly be welcome. I know there are only certain things you can do to help the situation. Problem is we're afraid to do the most likely one of them in surgery.

 

[Dennis H]

Sounds like a sciatica flareup I once had. I crawled on the floor. Could not walk, stand, sit or lay still. 5 months. Lost work time longest ever in my life. It did help to have a sympathetic spouse. No one can relate to this who has not gone through it. All the best. Also, the Doctor insisted that I go and see him every day for 3 days. I begged him to let me just stay home. Linda took me in the Charger. I just put the seat back and tried to lay down. That was the most debilitating pain ever experienced. Cannot be described.

 

[747mopar]

Honestly the only thing (surgery aside) that helped me was staying active and walking allot, it's all about creating enough space for the bulging disc and your spinal cord. I feel for her because accomplishing that is even painful, let us know how it goes.

 

[1967gtx]

Honestly the only thing (surgery aside) that helped me was staying active and walking allot, it's all about creating enough space for the bulging disc and your spinal cord. I feel for her because accomplishing that is even painful, let us know how it goes.

Back in the early 90's did something stupid which resulted with the disc and S nerve. I had severe pain to the point I cried like a baby and walked with a limp for over a year and lived on Tylenol. I had the scans and the doc gave me 3 choices with the results of each being the same, one of the choices was leave it alone - no brainer - I went back to the gym, started pumping iron, and did the chiropractic trick and was good to go. I still go to the gym mainly to keep my stomach and back muscles strong, stay active(car project), and walk. That prescription doesn't work for everyone but the surgery on the back is not an option for me!!!

Gary

 

[747mopar]

Back in the early 90's did something stupid which resulted with the disc and S nerve. I had severe pain to the point I cried like a baby and walked with a limp for over a year and lived on Tylenol. I had the scans and the doc gave me 3 choices with the results of each being the same, one of the choices was leave it alone - no brainer - I went back to the gym, started pumping iron, and did the chiropractic trick and was good to go. I still go to the gym mainly to keep my stomach and back muscles strong, stay active(car project), and walk. That prescription doesn't work for everyone but the surgery on the back is not an option for me!!!

Gary

My Charger restoration was very therapeutic for me (the wife didn't believe me haha), the getting up and down, crauling in and under all seamed to help loosen me up. The hard thing with this aproach is the first month or so is very painful, can only walk, can barely put your shoes on if at all and sitting in the car to and from work seams to set you back on the recovery. You have to keep pushing and once you can physically run again that's when it starts to turn around. Winter with the drop in activity and the drawn out holidays of sitting around are a disaster and are where you really have to be careful. Anybody who reads this thread please take it easy on your back.