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Spinal stenosis pain

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Posted 5/19/2014 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm am considering laminectomy along with a fusion of the L4/L5 vertebrae. I'd like to know about people's results who have had this surgery: good, bad, nothing. I've always been wary of back surgery but my current pain is so debilitating that I'm afraid I have no choice. I've know pain before--10 knee surgeries--but this pain makes that seem like love taps.
My pain is mostly in the buttocks; one side, both side, it moves around. I can barely walk and that only bent over at nearly 90 degrees. I'm a very fit 63 year old (up 'til now, that is) and would have no trouble working towards recovery. As others have said, though, I'd also be inclined to over-do so I'd to hear about what you could and couldn't do and when. Getting back to pain free exercise and golf (especially golf!) are my goals.

Thanks.
Posted 5/19/2014 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Grouchotoo and Welcome to HW/CP! But sorry that you had reason to seek us out. I have not had back surgery, but there are definitely members who have. I just wanted to stop in and say Hello and Welcome! And please don't think that you are being ignored if no one responds right away - some days and times are slower than others. Just keep checking back - others will be by soon enough.

My sister had fusion surgery a while back and I know it helped her quite a bit. Even though I don't know a whole lot about it, I do know that following the surgeon's instructions to a T is key to a good outcome. I'm sure there are more than a few reasons for an unsuccessful back surgery, but I think in many cases, not doing exactly what the doctor/therapist says is a major one! Recovery is a long one and it's easy to do 'too much, too soon'. That was the toughest part for my sister. She started feeling better and wanted to be able to do more, or skip a PT appt, etc. - but recovery is a process and she knew that she had to be patient.

Ok, gonna try to catch another 15 minutes sleep. And again - Welcome! Have a peaceful day. :-)
Posted 5/19/2014 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Grouch and welcome to HWs chronic pain forum. We've had several lately post some very good informative posts about their experience with fusions. If you use the forum search feature at the top of your page and enter your search criteria you will be able to read every thread and post about surgery as well as recovery expectations. I will say it's very important not to push yourself post-op and the time limits are generally much longer for recovery then they tell you.
Posted 5/19/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Some doctors are saying that there are too many back surgeries going on in the USA. They say that upwards of 90% of people who undergo such surgeries do not really need them and they also say that many,at least, are not given an accurate picture of what to expect from the surgery.

With that in mind I would seek out at least a 2nd opinion if not a 3rd before agreeing to go under.
Posted 5/19/2014 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, all, for your responses. Every bit of info helps.

I got an epidural steroid injection last week and I'll try to wait patiently to see if it has an effect. I'll make my decision after that.
Posted 5/19/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I've had back surgery, and while I feel for me, personally, I waited a little too long, I'm humbled by the fact I was able to stave off surgery for many years with aggressively managed conservative measures (ie: not slacking off in maintaining my wellness for my back).

I do strongly agree with the others and encourage you to both utilize the search feature so you can read up on others experiences, and also to get a 2nd opinion from a qualified board certified neurosurgeon.

Recovery is a bear, but keep in mind that some people, myself included, are lucky enough to get some relief.








M.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to this most wonderful group of people. I had a laminectomy and fusion of L4-L5 in 2009. Mine was necessary as I was losing the use of my right leg and beginning to have numbness in the nether regions which is not good. I will not lie and say that the surgery was such a piece of cake. It was the most painful thing I have ever been through. That being said, it gave me the use of my leg again and took away the sciatica for a good while. I was in hospital for 5 days only because that's what my insurance paid for.

I was up walking that very evening and it did get much easier with every walk I took after that. Yes the pain was incredible but they did manage my pain pretty well. The most important thing to remember is that you have to take it easy. Get a grabber so you don't have to bend over, put plastic on the car seat so you can swivel in and out, get a bedside commode or raised toilet etc. etc. Walking is very good for recovery but that's pretty much it for the first few weeks. Also do not sit for more than 30 minutes at a time at first as sitting puts the most pressure on the spine.

I started pt about four weeks after surgery and continued to walk but I did the no no thing about doing too much in the beginning and really paid for it. I have had ups and downs since surgery and will need further surgery down the road as my condition progresses but for now things are stable. I wish you all the luck and if I can be of any help, don't hesitate to ask.

Lynn
Posted 5/20/2014 1:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Grouchotoo!

I'm glad that you posted this inquiry to the board.  I too have severe spinal stenosis (4mm between L4L5) and I train jumping horses.  Initially, I was sent to a pain management clinic where I received 3 injections with no improvement.  However, by the grace of God and a very skilled doctor, the 4th was a miracle.  He explained to me that those nerves are so difficult to find and are so pinched and contorted (I'm sure that yours are similarly compressed) that many people give up on the injections because the doctor just hasn't hit the right nerve.  I am so glad that I didn't give up on the first three.  Now, I still have leg fatigue, sore feet, and moderate pain from time to time, but that excruciating, debilitating pain is gone.  I have not had the surgery because I understand it will end my riding career.  I'm 52 and I'm not ready to give that up yet.  I would like to know if after the surgery, I would be able to continue as I do now.  I too am anxious to hear what people think.  I maintain a farm with a large number of horses full time and carry hay bales, trim hooves, and bring in some squirrely training horses.  I want to know what life is like post-surgery.  If I would have to give this all up, I'd rather not have the surgery.  Thanks for posting this...

Posted 5/20/2014 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Amber welcome to Healing Well. We do ask all new members to post a separate intro post. By posting on someone else's thread not many will see it & respond, plus you are kind of hijacking someone else's thread. If you look to the left & click Post New Topic, click there, type in a heading & if you would like to copy & paste what you have written above that would make a great intro post.

Thanks
Posted 5/20/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Groucho & welcome to the chronic pain forum. It sounds like you have quite a bit going on with your health situation.

No one likes to have surgery but sometimes there are no other real good choices. I would suggest consulting with a board certified, fellowship trained neurosurgeon if at all possible. Those guys are trained to deal with the nerves much more than an orthopedic. One thing I will caution you about & I think someone else posted this too, sometimes waiting too long to have surgery when there are pinched nerves, the damage can become permanent. A friend of mine waited too long, she ended up with permanent nerve damage & drags her leg when she walks. This happened at the ripe age of 32.

Epidurals are not a cure for the problem, the steroids & meds used in them may get some of the inflammation down but that is all they will do. They can be a hit or a miss.

Keep in mind this is a chronic pain forum so there are not going to be a lot of glowing reports on back surgery, the folks here have problems for one reason or another. I have seen many successful surgeries but you need the best dr there is & following through on the recovery to the letter is most important.

A good website devoted to the spine is called SpineUniverse. com, check it out if you would like to learn about the spine. It does provide accurate info where some websites are not that accurate at all.

We have some people that have had fusions some recently so look through the first 4-5 pages & you should find those posts. Also you can pull up other posts by using our search feature here at the forum.

Welcome aboard & take care.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the great responses. It's very comforting to know that there are so many people willing to help. I wish you all good luck and good health.

I'm going to seek out a neurosurgeon today for a second opinion. While knowing that steroid injections may (or may not) offer some temporary relief I'm really reluctant to go back for a second or third round. I have the added issue of being on warfarin which means I have to stop taking it for five days before the injection give myself about a weeks worth of two-a-day injections of lovenox. It's much less painful than the stenosis pain but it's still a pain in the butt--or stomach, where I give myself the injections, and my insurance may get tired of paying for the lovenox which is very expensive.

It's pretty much a given that I'll be going the surgery route so I'll post my results and progress on that.
Posted 5/20/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Do keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.
Posted 5/21/2014 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
No problem, Susie.  I won't hijack anyone else's thread. 
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