Back Pain Support Group

never had surgery so I have no advice about recovering from that, but I do have a two part question. Is this your first surgery and have you exhausted all other treatments?

Just my advice :
I am 45 years old. I have had back problems for 25 years. I have 3 herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. (the lower 3)
I have been to chiropractors, medical doctors, taken all kinds of pain medication, have been in so much pain a few times I thought I was gonna have to call an ambulance.
I went to a Spinal Specialist a couple of months after I had gotten an MRI. He said I needed surgery. He said there was absolutely nothing that was gonna help my back except surgery.
I am lucky enough to live within half an hour of Stanford Medical College. They have a Spinal Clinic there that is the best in the United States.
I made an appointment with them. They looked at my paperwork and my MRI results.
They told me that I didn't need surgery. He said we make a lot of money cutting people open, but that I didn't need it.
He told me to take 6 months and get into the best physical shape I could get my body into, and then see if my back still hurt.
I started Physical Therapy 2 weeks before my appointment at Stanford.
He said Great !
Keep it up.
I went to Physical Therapy for 2 months.
She was VERY good at what she does.

She helped me stretch out my back muscles, in order to get them to relax.
She also taught me all kinds of stretching and strengthening for my core muscles and back muscles that I do at home.
She taught me to keep my pelvis in the correct position whether standing or sitting.
I stretch and strengthen 45 minutes a day now at home.
I also walk for 45 minutes at between 3 & 3.5 mph on the days that I don't stretch.
One thing that she told me to remember is that your lower back are like spokes on a wheel.
As soon as one other area of your "trunk" gets to tight or to loose it is going to mess up the dynamics of the wheel.
That is why you have to have everything working, and functioning correctly for your back not to have to take the load of your daily activities.

I have hardly even noticed that my back hurts in the last 2 months that I have been doing what she has taught me.
I would rather keep up this exercise routine, than have back pain that keeps me from doing what I love.

Hope some of this information helps you out.
I don't know your exact circumstances, but like the Dr. at Stanford said to me.
It is not like you got run over by a truck, or fell off the roof of your house, and that messed up your back.
I just needed to get into better shape !
And it is not like I am totally out of shape, I am 6' and weigh 185 lbs. It is just that certain muscles were not working the way they should, and certain muscles were working more than they needed to be.

Good luck with this !

I have exhausted all other treatments. I am having my surgery at Emory University hospital which I think is very comparable to Stanford. I went to a spine specialist after years and years of chiropractors, drugs, physical therapy, and epidural injections. It seems I have spondolythesis(which is vertebrae slippage) It is unstable and is slipping more. The first spine specialist I went to doesn't even do surgery. He referred me to a surgeon. Both doctors are at Emory. I was hoping someone could give me some advice about recovery from the surgery. I am confident it is what I need to do.

If you've never had surgery, please rethink this move. I've had 7 herniated discs, some in low back, some in neck and some in mid back. I've been dealing with this for 23 years and have known many people over the years that once they've had surgery they have to keep having it done.

I know 3 people who have each had surgeries in the double digits. They told me not to have surgery because it doesn't last and has to be repeated over and over.

I have other conditions that prevent me from being able to do all that TCC does, especially the exercise but I still would rather live with what I have than the intense pain people describe to me when they need repeat surgery!

Like TCC said I hope this helps. It looks like each of us has been at this for a very long time compared to most. So maybe with time comes experiences that are better than surgery.

Sounds like you've made up your mind to have surgery. Afterward you will have to do lots of exercise to stay in place. If you do the correct exercises instead of surgery , you will be in the same place as if you have surgery and will not have to put yourself through the trauma of surgery. So it makes sense if it's not too late, to try exercise first. I have had laser spine surgery twice. Once on C2-C3 helped, the second one at L4- L5 did not and it has taken me two years to recuperate, again with the help of exercise. when you're in pain, you search for relief, but the solution isn't quick. I hope if you do the op, it will help you enough so you can exercise and strengthen your core muscles.

i am two weeks post op, i had l4-s2 done, and it hurts don't want to scare you but it does, not as bad now but the first week, sucked

i had cervical surgery in june and it was a walk in the park compared to back surgery.

I don't work i am on disability, do you work and if you do just make sure you leave enough time in between healing and going back

this works well lumbar too of course, we wish you the very best and a speedy recovery.


" How Best to Prepare Yourself and Your Home Prior to Surgery of the Spine©

Cervical Guide

When the time comes to set your date for surgery, you should ask your surgeon about all of you options. Knowing your options, and understanding completely what is going to happen is paramount. It is important that you feel well informed and comfortable with your choice.

One of the most important questions you can ask prior to any hardware being installed is if it will hold. A simple bone density test can be scheduled at this time. Many doctors fail to tell patients, that despite how dense your bone is that screws can shift with time. They shift like a windshield washer blade. This is rare, but you should be informed of this. Note; after surgery, CT Scans show hardware very well.

You will be required to go for a pre-op physical, during this exam an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work will be done. Make sure that one of the blood tests is a bleed rate. The exam is most often performed within 7 days of surgery.

I want to discuss a touchy subject, a medical directive or living will along with a proxy to make medical decisions for you. When you are pre registering with the hospital, they will ask you if you have one. You must bring copies of them with you when you go to the hospital. A copy should also be on file with your primary care physician as well.

Preparing your home for your return

You will need a few things to help your neck and throat heal quicker and provide you less pain. Several small gel packs should be frozen to help reduce swelling in your throat. Cloraseptic spray will come in handy to numb the throat as well. A thermometer to check for post-operative infections and tintature of arnica. Tintiture of Arnica can be purchased from any good health food store, and is an excellent aid in the promotion of healing. It is a must have if you are a smoker, and a bonus if you are not.

Place all the toiletries you will need on the bathroom counters. Do not forget towels, toilet paper (although you can bend you do not want to strain your neck looking for things). Have two cups next to the sink, one to rinse and one to spit into.

In the kitchen, place all your items again on the counters. All boxed and canned goods, along with pots and pans you may want. It is a good idea to pre make and freeze several meals with bite sized pieces (it will hurt to swallow solid food for a few days). Eat plenty of dark leafy vegetables.

In the bedroom, pajamas clothes DVDs (pre rent from a service like NetFlix) books, etc should all be within reach on a dresser. Do not forget your meds. You never want to have to hunt for anything. Buy yourself something new and comfortable, even if it is only socks. Make your bed with new linen prior to leaving for the hospital; clean fresh crisp sheets make us feel better. Do your best to surround yourself with luxury (it helps the spirit, and promotes a fast recovery).

Keep a pain journal; log your pain scale meds and times. If you run a fever, call the doctor immediately. Drink cold drinks with a bendable straw for a few days. Heat expands, and you need to reduce the swelling.

The reason I keep mentioning swelling of the throat, is that once in the operating room you will be given a breathing tube, an incision will be made on the side of your throat at about the collar line. Your windpipe will be moved out of the way so that the surgeon may visualize the cervical spine. Swelling and a sore throat is inevitable, but not any worse than a regular sore throat.

There are probably so many things, I could come up with, or others who have had this procedure. However, this covers all the highlights. Remember once home, walk often, rest well, surround yourself with comfortable things and you will heal just fine.

Good luck,

Doug/Ouch "

i had a fussion at L5-S1 it will be ok but the healing time will be lond and difficult

Sounds like you have exhausted all other treatments. With 3 fusions under my belt, do what the Dr.'s tell you. Even if you feel better and think all is fine. Remember that it take at least 1 year to completely fuse and heal. I'm 6 months out of my fusion and do to much and now I'm having issues AGAIN. But at the end of the day I have less pain than before. Good Luck and I will send you good thoughts

As usual Doug is right on. Best thing to do is prepare and make sure you have a great support system. Good luck and I hope for a speedy recovery,Christine