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Anyone had to have discectomy or spinal fusion?

GearAddict

GearAddict

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If ever there was a group of people who regularily abuse their necks and backs it has got to be the car nuts right? So I figured I'd ask... Looking for any input, opinions, rants, surgery experience.

Before someone levtures me on why it's a bad idea to get advice form an anon forum, This is not the only place I'm going for info... I also asked the mailman.

I'm looking into everything as the situation seems pretty dire with regards to my neck.​

The Neurosurgen in reviewing my MRI, told me the following.

  • "No one needs surgery more than you"
  • "You have severe advanced arthritis, equiv to somone of 100 years old or more."
  • (I'm 40)
  • "you see here? where there should be something protecting your nerves and spinal cord?"
  • Requires 4 discs removed and 5 level spinal fusion
  • "Due to risk level compounding each additional level fusion and your age I reccommend Pain Management (Vicodin and epidurals)

Here is the clinical eval for those that might kknow what it means...

FORAMINAL STENOSIS C3-C7

SPINAL STENOSIS C3-C7

CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY C3-C7 (Pain)

MID CERVICAL DISC DISPLACEMENT C4-C7

CERVICAL DISC DEGENERATION C3-C7

ADVANCED OSTEOARTHRITIS cervical region

Cervical Spondylosis (BONE SPURS)
Myelopathy (Pain)


Just to add to the fun.. screwed my back up too...

Can’t feel my middle toes for past 4 months, sometimes fantom shooting pain..

HERNIATED DISC IN BACK AT L4

NEUROPATHY (Pain)



I'm seeking 2nd and 3rd Opinions, having sit down with Pain Mgmt doc, looking into if there are any regional areas that specialize in neck surgery.. Boston? Baltimore?

Anything you can share form personal experience would be appreciated.
 
I have not had the surgeries but my wife has had three fusions in her neck in the last 6 years and a procedure where they went into the nerve canals to remove any bone spurs....
Each time she was told this is the only way to control your pain...we'll give you 90% of your life back, then 80% then we'll do what we can...May was 2yrs since her last surgery. She is in worse shape than before..she has not been able to work, she is very weak, pain makes her nauseous, ... She fights through it for the kids activities and stuff but it usually takes her a couple of days to recoop after doing any kind of outing, shopping, movies, or even going out to diner is a chore.
I hope you have better luck than she did....
 
I pretty much have a lot of what you have my problems started at 40 I had 2 back surgerys T 10 and 11 your nerosurgenon will probably tell you that it will change your life and not for the better . I beat myself up from working outside all year around driving trucks and heavy Equipment and being a heavy truck mechanic much like you did .
 
Smart move getting other professional opinions from surgeons. However, based on your information above via MRI results does sound like a very aged spine versus your age...

First and foremost is the pain and the numbness. The stenoses, disc displacement and spurs in multiple discs are very concerning. Those markers alone lead to receiving early treatment/surgery. Sounds like surgery may be the most viable option but to what degree....Frankly, go in once and get all you can taken care of if that is needed. I do not think your surgeon is off the mark but still get other opinions.

As far as recommendations just depends on your willingness to travel and coverage. I would say John Hopkins first and Cleveland Clinic second.

Man I wish you the best and keep us posted on what you decide to do and how your doing!
 
But seriously I had a surgery already fusion with hard ware s1-l5 then l5-l4 I got worse with time now they want to redo everything and add in l4-l3 I'm only 29 figured I didn't have a choice I got to get back to work . I don't know how old you are but if your over 50 leave it alone it's alot of b.s. for no gain go smoke some weed. If I could of done it again I would of just shot myself and been done .
Good luck
 
Maybe try a laser spine institute might be better for you I was way worse damage! Yours isn't that bad (it's still horrible) but the less invasive might be the way to go for you
 
First off is I think you asking your question here is a great idea. However acting only on what you may gather from a place like this is stupid.

I recently (several years ago)had problems with control of walking. Years of hard working took a toll on my back.
I found a doctor that called for MRI's of my back and neck. The doc. showed me the MRI of my neck and where my spinal cord was narrow like a link sauage. He asked if I had any issues related to my neck. All I had to offer is that if I bent my head way back I felt a strong deep electrical like shock sensation all the way to my feet.
He showed me why that was and that it was a very fragile situation.

The MRI's of my lower back showed some compression and nerve pinching.
He said the problem in my neck was just short of urgent and we can talk about my lower back later.

I had surgery to remove the bone piece that pinched my spinal cord in my neck and can now feel free movement without any pain or shock.

The next surgery was to deal with my lower back. It was to deal with stenosis. Again removing bone material that impinged nerves as well as removing a partial herniated disc.

From this I am able to stand and walk about 95% of normal.

My story may or may not help you but seems rather close to where you are.
For me fixing the problem in my neck first made logical sense. Afterall if my spine failed in my neck not being able to walk would be only one negative.
 
ws23jrt said:
He said the problem in my neck was just short of urgent and we can talk about my lower back later.
Click to expand...

Yeah that is what I was told, almost verbatim.... and yes your story sounds very familiar. I hope it continues to improve for you.

I have been lucky that I havent lost motors skills on a noticable level.. I have however noticed my fingers dont react as well as they used to. I finally had to give in and go buy a bluetooth keyboard for my iPhone because I would misskey every 3rd or 4th letter and email responses for work were taking me 40 mins instead of 5.

BTW... a portable bluetooth keyboard now falls under "Things I didn't know I needed, but can now not do with out" .. seriusly, amazon $29. Regardless of motor skills, I'm sorry I didn't buy one 6-7 years ago. If you type on your phone alot.... just go buy it.

Thanks it is helpfull even just to gain some perspective. I have hadneck pain for 10+ years, but about 2 years ago the tension in my neck and shoulders jumped to a new level and was joined with numbness to my elbow on left side.. fastforward to about 5 months ago it spiked to a level where I couldnt hear my own thoughts over the pain on some days, This was joined by nunumbness down into my finegrs, occasional lightning bolt pain (I feel your pain... literally) This was joined a few weeks later by middle toes on both feet went novicane like numb, which scared the **** out of me.. alot of pain and suddenly numbness of some sort in all 4 extremities? I did 2 months of physical therapy before the Therapist told me he was cutting it off as it was not helping.

moparnation74 said:
Smart move getting other professional opinions from surgeons. However, based on your information above via MRI results does sound like a very aged spine versus your age...

First and foremost is the pain and the numbness. The stenoses, disc displacement and spurs in multiple discs are very concerning. Those markers alone lead to receiving early treatment/surgery. Sounds like surgery may be the most viable option but to what degree....Frankly, go in once and get all you can taken care of if that is needed. I do not think your surgeon is off the mark but still get other opinions.

As far as recommendations just depends on your willingness to travel and coverage. I would say John Hopkins first and Cleveland Clinic second.

Man I wish you the best and keep us posted on what you decide to do and how your doing!
Click to expand...

Thanks, you expressed my concern very well. It seems that since it is degenerative (Step Dad always said I was a degenerate), I'm worried that it will progress to where surgery is no longer an option.

I've put some feelers out with John's Hopkins and am flying up to Boston this week and it looks like I may have gotten a consult meeting with a well regarded neurosurgeon at Mass General.
 
Last edited:
GearAddict said:
Yeah that is what I was told, almost verbatim.

Thanks it is helpfull even just to gain some perspective. I have hadneck pain for 10+ years, but about 2 years ago the tension in my neck and shoulders jumped to a new level and was joined with numbness to my elbow on left side.. fastforward to about 5 months ago it spiked to a level where I couldnt hear my own thoughts over the pain on some days, This was joined by nunumbness down into my finegrs, occasional lightning bolt pain (I feel your pain... literally) This was joined a few weeks later by middle toes on both feet went novicane like numb, which scared the **** out of me.. alot of pain and suddenly numbness of some sort in all 4 extremities? I did 2 months of physical therapy before the Therapist told me he was cutting it off as it was not helping.



Thanks, you expressed my concern very well. It seems that since it is degenerative (Step Dad always said I was a degenerate), I'm worried that it will progress to where surgery is no longer an option.

I've put some feelers out with John's Hopkins and am flying up to Boston this week and it looks like I may have gotten a consult meeting with a well regarded neurosurgeon at Mass General.
Click to expand...


That sounds wise. I lucked out in finding a neurosurgeon that got right to the immediate issue first. Our heads are important but what's below the neck make the head worth while.
I wish you luck with good doctors.
 
I'm 28 and have been in rediculous pain for 2 years. I have much less damage and mine is lower back L4-L5 and L5-S1 annular tears. Sitting is impossible and standing long term adds up quick. Done physio, chiro, athletic therapy, lazer, cortisone injections. Debating endoscopic surgery now because it is the least invasive. Best of luck man because I know how much this sucks.
 
God bless ya man. Good luck. I'm screwed up too. Hoping to get an epidural tomorrow to block pain from L-1. Told surgery last resort. Unable to sleep worst part. Lucky to have a job not too physically demanding.
 
Bb70charger500 said:
But seriously I had a surgery already fusion with hard ware s1-l5 then l5-l4 I got worse with time now they want to redo everything and add in l4-l3 I'm only 29 figured I didn't have a choice I got to get back to work . I don't know how old you are but if your over 50 leave it alone it's alot of b.s. for no gain go smoke some weed. If I could of done it again I would of just shot myself and been done .
Good luck
Click to expand...

Dude, I here ya. I'm 40 btw and had pain since I was in late 20's. Sorry you haven't found healing, peace or balance (I'm not a hippie but I played one between 1989-2000 :) ) I recently rolled a few and it helps.. Now just need it to be legalized in FL
 
Your in FL.? I didn't notice where are you located? I'm in palmbay FL east coast about in the middle. At 40 you still have some years left you might really want to look into that laser spine place in Tampa I looked but my damage was to much to fix that way
 
Dennis H said:
Unable to sleep worst part
Click to expand...

Dennis... Amen, just f'n Amen

I work for a very large fortune 500 company and was managing a plant of about 150 employees when this hit me hard 5 months ago.. I didn't sleep more than 2 hrs a night for 2 months.. during that time, I was introduced to Vicodin (had had for dental work years ago). Sleep depravation + Vicodin, Fioricet, cyclobenzaprine and a few minor NSAID's during day = lucky I still have a job. It all went sideways fast.. When I finally realized how bad this was, I went to the doc and were able to adjust so that meds were focused on getting me sleeping and then less agressive pain killers during day and a small perscription of emergency pain killers for the really bad days

Reading the emails I sent during that time is truly cringeworthy

I make my living on my mind and my mind is busy trying to process constant pain all day.
 
Wow what a bunch of cripples we are.:eek:
I just had surgery to free up a pinched nerve in my right elbow. I was losing control of my fingers. (no numbing or pain just brain to finger connection problem).
I can again write and put a nut on a bolt as needed.
The sixteen staples in my arm come out tomorrow.:thumbsup:
This getting old is not for kids. I feel like one of the cars I work on.
 
L3-L4 ,L4-L5 and S1 all at the same time , 30 odd years ago. the phantom pain down the front of your thighs, buttocks and soles of the feet is the hardest to deal with as you "know" its not anything you can do anything about . for those old enough it was just as 60 minutes did the exposé on spinal fusion and people being paralysed etc so NO surgery for me . don't take pain killers (haven't for 25+ years ) so just "take the pain "and be careful how I bent or pick things up . have been called a "cranky old bastard " more than once but would rather be cranky than addicted to pain killers
 
Bb70charger500 said:
Your in FL.? I didn't notice where are you located? I'm in palmbay FL east coast about in the middle. At 40 you still have some years left you might really want to look into that laser spine place in Tampa I looked but my damage was to much to fix that way
Click to expand...

I'm in Tampa just north of the airport
 
ws23jrt said:
Wow what a bunch of cripples we are.:eek:
I just had surgery to free up a pinched nerve in my right elbow. I was losing control of my fingers. (no numbing or pain just brain to finger connection problem).
I can again write and put a nut on a bolt as needed.
The sixteen staples in my arm come out tomorrow.:thumbsup:
This getting old is not for kids. I feel like one of the cars I work on.
Click to expand...


3 words for ya... Mini Bluetooth Keyboard :)

and your opening comment is exactly why I posted this here in a moment of clarity.
 
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