Info on Disc Replacement Surgery?
543029
I take a slightly different stand than the previous response, seeings how I work in surgery, and we see a LOT of back/spine surgeries each week. There are even a few people that I work with who have had them, and they all seem satisfied. First of all, I would check out the surgeon, see what type of surgery he or she specializes in and how long they have been doing them. Next, be sure you know what type, ie lumbar, cervical vertebrae, etc are going to be worked on, and then I can give you more info :)
488790
I've undergone 2 surgeries on my spine. The first surgery (to remove 2 herniations of discs) took 9 1/2 hrs, the second surgery that only removed 1 herniation took 4 hrs. Good luck!
1036215
JS,\nI'm somewhat familiar with your situation as I'm pretty much in the same boat.  I'm 54 and have degenerative disk disease (DDD) with 11 herniated and/or bulging disks in my upper and lower back.  It sounds like you might have the same thing along with the scoliosis.  Have you had an MRI of your upper back?  It's not a big deal knowing it, since there's no cure or treatment for DDD, in fact they're not sure what causes it.  The bottom line with DDD is there's nothing they can do but treat the pain.  Injuries to the spinal cord or the nerves that attach to the spinal cord do not heal themselves nor will they "reroute" themselves as other nerves in your body sometimes can.  With spinal nerve damage, once it happens, you've got it forever.\n\nI've got a damaged nerve on the left side of the T3/T4 disk that's been causing me constant pain for over 3 years now.  I was coughing, of all things, and blew the disk out, which crushed or dented the nerve.  I've been in constant, terrible pain ever since.  Every hour, every day, it hasn't let up, not even for a second.  There's no "comfortable position," no way to ease that "ice pick in the back" pain I have.  It just "is" and it takes over every aspect of your life.  Sometimes I do something, move a certain way, and bingo, the pain shoots up near the top of the scale.  Sometimes it goes back to "normal" (around a 3 or 4 on the pain scale) after a few minutes and sometimes it stays up there around an 8 or 9 for two or three days. Sometimes I can do some particular thing without making it worse and then I do the same thing a week later and I'm back in the jackpot.  It seems there's no reason or rhyme to it.  \n\nI've had 5 Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI), which unfortunately did nothing but give me diabetes, one more thing I have to deal with.  Ok, I should say that the docs think the ESI *did* work, in that it caused the disk to shrink just as it was supposed to, but unfortunately the physical damage to the nerve was already done and that's what is causing the chronic pain.  \n\nI'm taking some pretty strong pain killers, morphine and codeine (can you spell "addict"?), plus I've just started Lyrica.  I tried Neurontin a couple of years ago but it didn't help.  I'm hoping the Lyrica will help this time and maybe I can get off the morphine, which, for one thing doesn't work all that well but also it has some bad side effects.  Mine aren't as bad as some I've talked to, but they're bad enough.  Yes, I know it could be worse and while I have a great deal of sympathy for others that are worse off than me, hearing about the plight of someone else doesn't make me feel any better.\n  \nI'm also taking some stuff called Zanaflex (generic name: Tizanidine) which, while it has some side effects, really helped when I started getting extremely sharp, radiating pains that went from the damaged nerve at the T3/T4 site, down the back of my left arm and up the back of my neck.  The Zanaflex stopped the pain right away and it's one of the best meds I've ever taken when it comes to doing what it's supposed to.  I stopped taking it for a day and the pains came back, so I know it's working.  Zanaflex is a muscle relaxer and apparently the pain in my arm and neck were the result of muscle spasms generated by the nerve damage in my back.\n\nThe biggest problem I have with it is that it knocks me out cold!  I've talked to others that have had different, intolerable, side effects, so it's not going to work for everyone.  I'm supposed to take 4mg three times a day but instead I take two of them (8mg) before I go to bed.  It has a dual effect of stopping the pain plus it's a fantastic sleep aid - but you better not change your mind about sleeping after you take it!  \n\nOne of the best things about it is that it
669913
Here's a story that talks about the surgery and stuff.  \n\n(Just say no to drugs.)
306962
The "Wallace ligament" method is just a way to replace a bad disk by replacing it with shock absorption material which is tied with ligaments around the spine; in this way you avoid having to fuse the spine. Good luck with your operation.
141950
Agree with the previous poster. If it is a herniated disc then microdiscectomy. Its gets complicated if you have multiple discs or degenerative disc disease.  A fusion (screws and rods) are usually definitively needed if you have a spondylolisthesis where one of the vertebral body's is misaligned.  A fusion and its indications are sometimes controversial.  Get a least 3 opinions and get check out your surgeons.
520902
i had surgery five years ago on my back they took out a dis and replaced it with a bone. and it went well. though i still have back pain,but not do to the bone replacement,because of something else. I healed fine and was able to get up and move around within two weeks. best of luck. with your surgery. I;m sure it will be fine.
1155825
Two of my patients have got spinal surgery in India.One was treated for spondylolistheis by spinal fusion and the other for disc replacement.Both of them are very happy with the results.Their pain and other symptoms due to nerve compression have totally gone.\n\nSpinal Surgery is very cheap in India.There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges spine surgery for foreigners in India.They are called the Forerunners Healthcare.I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.I have also read that they arrange financing for american and canadian patients as spine surgery is not covered by insurance.They also have photos pasted of their International patients.You can checkout their website.\n\nThe cost savings are incredible.As a doctor i personally believe that your spine surgery can be easily handled in India as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world.The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.both my patients had gone to India through the forerunners healthcare company.i strongly recommend you to talk to this company,checkout your options with surgery from them.\n\nhttp://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
1173102
The first thing you should expect, or in some cases ask for, is physical therapy. It is entirely possible that by implementing a physical therapy regiment into your daily routine will alleiviate this pain completely.\nHowever, aside from that, surgery can be, and might be, an option. \nYour neurosurgeon will help you make the right decision as far as that goes.\n\nFollowing 4 laminectomies at L4-L5 over 2 years time, I've since had two fusions in my cervical spine (c5-c6). The first was due to a herniated disk, which following my previous spinal surgeries was labelled due to "degenerative spinal disease with nerve root disorder."\nI had no problems following this surgery, and was able to resume most of my lifestyle. The pain that was there was gone after the surgery.\nHowever, an auto accident about 3 years later left the fusion cracked, requiring another one from the opposite side of my neck. I believe the neurosurgeon called it a "lucency" - they could see light thru the crack in my fusion on the x-ray.\n\nThe bottom line is this: the surgery helped. I just had bad luck and needed it again. I am mobile, I am active, and I do get around fine now -- but I have an increased pain level beyond comprehension of most people on a daily basis.\nBut as to your question, what will a neurosurgeon do for you? Help you decide if surgery is the right choice for you or not.\nMy recommendation? Try phyical therapy first. Surgery should be your last option. Once you have your spine operated on, there's a good chance you'll need it again someday.\nDiscuss your questions and fears beforehand as well. Your neurosurgeon will answer any of your questions beforehand.\n\nAnd if you do have the operation, good luck to you. I suggest a bone graph out of your hip rather than using bone transplant from a cadaver. The increased pain in your hip is temporary, and it significantly reduces the chance for the fused bone to be rejected.
939512
You have ruptured a disc at some point, at L3 to be exact, if I understand everything correctly.  A herniated nucleus pupolsus- HNP- is the cartilage pad that separates and cushions the discs of the spine give way, and buldge out through the membranes which cover them.( the infarction in your L3 vertebra)  The area where it is bulging is what they are refering to as the lesion, and from what you wrote, that has stayed the same- neither getting better nor worse.  The granulation/fibrous tissue suggests your body is trying to heal or at least stabilize things.\n  You have neither cancer nor TB.  This is a physical injury of the spine, usually caused by lifting extremely heavy items or lifting incorrectly.  So far as solutions, thats a subject between you and your doctor.   They can do surgery sometimes, and the type repair they do depends on the surgeon and what your particular situation is.   They also do traction in some cases.  It can take months to recover, and it's hard to say how much better you will get with treatment.  Usually there is a good deal of pain relief, but chronic back pain will still probably be with you periodically for life.  If you opt for surgery, called a laminectomy, the discs above and below the herniated one are fused together.  That will cause you to lose some range of motion- how easily and how far you will be able to turn side to side, etc.\n  It's not possible to say if you are getting better or worse, since there's no way to do a physical exam via the web- and you really wouldn't want to be trusting strangers you can't see with judgements on your state of health.  You really need to discuss this all with the doctor who is treating you, and ask him/her to give you an in depth explaination, in plain English so you can understand it all.  You can also search the web for more info on HNP of the lumbar spine, which is what you are describing.   That will give you loads of information and access to other people who have similar problems.   They would be able to give you a far better picture of what you are looking at in terms of impact on your future.  I suggest you do some searching and make up a list of questions for the doctor and you to discuss at your next appointment, when I presume you will also be going over the results of your latest MRI.  You'll be in a better position to participate in your own treatment, and can make more informed decisions with your doctor if you do this.  Good luck with your back, I hope what ever treatment you decide on that it works to help relieve your pain and get you back on your feet.
1163361
A lot of people had and they regret. The best treatment is walk and physiotherapy. The disc herniates due to several reasons, the most imprtant being the relaxed muscles which can not hold the disc in place. So please gradually start walking and ncreas the distance and duration and speed if you can.
855400
Has your brother in law tried applying for disability status?  Is he qualified for medicare? Social Security? How did he get injured initially? Is he a student? Has he seen a chiropractor?
720435
Sit ups are not good after disc surgery. Try pelvic tips or tummy crunches. When you do sit ups it puts a lot of strain on your back and that is not where you need to exercize. \nwhen in doubt call a local chiropractor and ask if they have any suggestions.
711729
yes my husband worked as a route salesman for yrs and he had 1 ruptured herniated disks he went thru with the surgery and was up and walking shortly after the operation i couldnt believe it only u need to take it ez for several wks after the operation so far so good dont suffer with that terrible pain no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
304812
Check out the website. There are links for subscribing and also for back issues.
1059806
Has he had the doctors do X-rays to see if there is an underlying casue (degeneration of the discs, bukges, spurs etc??). Knowing what is causing the problems will go a long way to helping.\n\nAlso I think he should see a physiotherapist. My husband went to chiro's for years and the improvements wore off after a few days. He has been seeing a physiotherapist in recent times and his recovery from major painful incidents is much quicker and longer lasting. The benefit they have over chiro is that physio will help you to learn how to reatrin the muscles that support the spine. If the muscles are strong this will help take the pressure off the bones and share more of the workload.\n\nMy husband has also benefited from the following:\n\n*Changing jobs so he minimises heavy and repetitive lifting (I know this is not always possible)\n\n*When he does get major pain he will take anti-inflammatory drugs and lay as flat as possible all day. This will help rest the area.\n\n*We got a "memory foam" mattress overlay and a pillow. It gives more support to his back whilst sleeping.\n\n*Doing stretches and back exercises every day. The physio will be able to show your dad simple things he can do at home. Otherwise there are some great books out there.\n\n*Thinking before he lifts anything and then doing it is the safest way possible (ie lifting from the legs).\n\nUnfortunately back problems are one of those problems which can keep reccurring. Just when you think you have it under control, you do something silly and you are back to square 1. Good luck though for your dad, and help him out when he is in severe pain and make him rest.
151118
Since no one else has answered you, and I have had a similar injury, I thought I'd offer you my experience. I am not a medical expert, just a survivor. My injury was L3 L4, and the disc blew up! In other worded it was not your standard slipped disk. They could not do the laser surgery on me, partly because it was not yet approved but mostly because of the number of disk fragment sthat they had to remove. Prior to the surgery I spent 8 weeks flat on my back while they figured out what was wrong with me, i.e. orthopedics, medical and finally surgical. I had lost all use of my right leg, including the feeling from the hip down, and was starting to loose bowel function. They did the full laminectomy, and sent me home from the hospital the next day. I asked for PT or some kind of rehab but they refused. For the next five years I had to fight on my own to regain use and control of that right leg. For ten years I had a noticable limp. To this day there are certain movements I just cannot do. And the hip is still bad with rampant arthritis. Three years ago I had a relapse, and after the same surgeon did the x-rays and MRI's he said he could not do anything to help me, and that I no have spinal stenosis from L2 down. You should see how little bone mass there is in that picture. It's scary! Anyway, I went to my local gym who has a healthy back program, using Medx equipment. I rehabbed with that program, and am as functional now as I was 5 years after the surgery. If you have a program like that I would seriously check it out before agreeing to surgery. The program at my gym has prevented a lot of surgeries, and has an 85% success rate. They train surrounding muscle to support the bones, and carry the weight. We once trained a dog the same way who was born with hip dysplasia bad enough they wanted to put him to sleep in his first year. He lived to 17, and passed away as a result of an auto injury, not his hips.\nSorry this was so long but your husband needs to know there are options to surgery, and not just PT. Good luck and feel better. I do understand your pain and confusion.