Back Surgery... Advice?

8,790
1,989
Joined
May 3, 2013
Hi my NT Brethern.

So I'm having back surgery in a week. Dec 19. 

To be more specific a microdiscectomy of the L3/L4 L4/L5 L5/S1. 

I have tons of nerve pain now, but i'm hoping this surgery will work and I'll be back to normal. Normal everyday activities such as putting on clothes, showering, putting on shoes, driving, etc.. are extremely painful. So I just decided **** it I'll do it.

Any of my fellow Nt'ers ever had one?  Advice?

My brother has had two and he's doing phenomenal now, but he doesn't like to talk about it, and I'm not really sure what to expect once I'm up.

Thanks gaiz. 
embarassed.gif
 
had back surgery about 8 years ago to correct a bulged disk and some early spinal stenosis...recovery sucked (bout 2 weeks of being on my *** and about 3 months to return to working out)...

I've been decent in the time since, but have cut down on trying to lift heavy...had 2 other disks pop since then but one went away on its own and the other was corrected with meds...

also, invest a very good mattress and take some time to STRETCH everyday
 
Last edited:
 
had back surgery about 8 years ago to correct a bulged disk and some early spinal stenosis...recovery sucked (bout 2 weeks of being on my *** and about 3 months to return to working out)...

I've been decent in the time since, but have cut down on trying to lift heavy...had 2 other disks pop since then but one went away on its own and the other was corrected with meds...

also, invest a very good mattress...
I haven't been able to work out in a few months. Meaning consistently. I was able to run and do stair stepper as of a few months ago. But even that stopped and the nerve pain just wouldn't stop. Couldn't keep myself up without support from others.

What kind of mattress do you use?
 
 
I haven't been able to work out in a few months. Meaning consistently. I was able to run and do stair stepper as of a few months ago. But even that stopped and the nerve pain just wouldn't stop. Couldn't keep myself up without support from others.

What kind of mattress do you use?
i use a pillow top mattress
 
Good luck man.

I herniated my disc in March and have sciatica pain on my left leg. Pain has improved greatly since then..but i still get pain whenever i sit after standing for a bit and vice versa.

really bummed that i can't do squats or deadlifts. Been doing alot of stretching daily and if it doesn't heal by March..i'm open to see what options there are to help.
 
Good luck man.

I herniated my disc in March and have sciatica pain on my left leg. Pain has improved greatly since then..but i still get pain whenever i sit after standing for a bit and vice versa.

really bummed that i can't do squats or deadlifts. Been doing alot of stretching daily and if it doesn't heal by March..i'm open to see what options there are to help.
Sciatica is a ***** I have it down both legs.

Have you done the injections yet?
 
OP how old are you? Why did they say you need the surgery?

Injections you speak of I assume you are referring to ESI's epidural steriod injections?
 
Last edited:
I guess if I were in severe pain and I need back surgery I guess that is the one I would have, but I wouldnt let anyone go near my back for any type of fusion unless it was a last resort.

Injections you speak of I assume you are referring to ESI's epidural steriod injections?
 
Last edited:
I guess if I were in severe pain and I need back surgery I guess that is the one I would have, but I wouldnt let anyone go near my back for any type of fusion unless it was a last resort.
It's not a fusion though. It's a minimally invasive surgery but still, so close to the spinal nerve.. Basically theyll chip off some of the lamina and then remove the herniation.

Fusions scare me.

I've tried everything, physical therapy, injections, none of it works cuz the structural damage is done.
 
Well seems like you have tried other alternatives. How long has it been going on?
 
Last edited:
I've had 4 back surgeries..One of which was a fusion of L4/L5..I've had a couple radiofrequency ablations..Around 2 dozen spinal injections..I have spinal stenosis,,degenerative disc disease, and facet joint arthritis..I'm on permanent disability now and it sucks..I had my first surgery in 2002 and my last one in 2012..I go to my neurosurgeon next week because I'm having more pain in my back/hip/thigh and 2 of my toes have been going numb..

I hope everything works out for you OP..Follow your dr.'s instructions to the T..Don't try to be a "big man" and overdo it during your recovery or you'll regret it..I've had 2 of the surgeries your going to have and the first month or 2 things were fantastic..The nerve pain was completely gone and my back felt great..But my symptoms slowly started to come back which was so depressing..My surgeon diagnosed me with something called failed surgery syndrome (or something like that)..Which basically mean that you have surgery but it doesn't fix your problems..

I'll tell you this, you will have arthritis after your surgery..I have yet to meet someone who had a disc, or partial, removed and didn't end up having arthritis..And the surgery your having will not fix you..It's just a temporary fix..Once you have surgery on your back you'll eventually need another..Cause when they take the disc away the discs above and below the surgery site has to work a little harder to make up for the one that's gone..Which means, usually, you'll end up with a bulge/herniation of the disc above or below your surgery site..You need to really listen to your body from now on..If it starts to hurt then you need to listen and take it easy..Taking care of yourself post-op is crucial..If you have any questions just PM me and I can try to help you out..Hope everything goes great for you man..
 
I've had 4 back surgeries..One of which was a fusion of L4/L5..I've had a couple radiofrequency ablations..Around 2 dozen spinal injections..I have spinal stenosis,,degenerative disc disease, and facet joint arthritis..I'm on permanent disability now and it sucks..I had my first surgery in 2002 and my last one in 2012..I go to my neurosurgeon next week because I'm having more pain in my back/hip/thigh and 2 of my toes have been going numb..

I hope everything works out for you OP..Follow your dr.'s instructions to the T..Don't try to be a "big man" and overdo it during your recovery or you'll regret it..I've had 2 of the surgeries your going to have and the first month or 2 things were fantastic..The nerve pain was completely gone and my back felt great..But my symptoms slowly started to come back which was so depressing..My surgeon diagnosed me with something called failed surgery syndrome (or something like that)..Which basically mean that you have surgery but it doesn't fix your problems..

I'll tell you this, you will have arthritis after your surgery..I have yet to meet someone who had a disc, or partial, removed and didn't end up having arthritis..And the surgery your having will not fix you..It's just a temporary fix..Once you have surgery on your back you'll eventually need another..Cause when they take the disc away the discs above and below the surgery site has to work a little harder to make up for the one that's gone..Which means, usually, you'll end up with a bulge/herniation of the disc above or below your surgery site..You need to really listen to your body from now on..If it starts to hurt then you need to listen and take it easy..Taking care of yourself post-op is crucial..If you have any questions just PM me and I can try to help you out..Hope everything goes great for you man..

Like you said, the biomechanics of the spine are altered. Also you see fibrosis at the surgical site which can affect the nerves etc.
 
This past year i turned 33 and dealt with the most injuries ive ever dealt with in my life (groin, wrist, ankle and foot). However what you guys are going through, puts my physical aches in the proper perspective. Hold your head yall. Best of luck with the rehab.
 
Last edited:
Best of luck man. A buddy of mine broke his back snowboarding. Has 2 8 inch screws in his back and injured it again driving into a horse on the highway. But he's the strongest person I know. Does 325 bench for reps. I can ask him. Best of luck in the meantime though.
 
Back
Top Bottom