Finally - Op date
Discussion
I had a spinal discectomy 5 years after Suffering with back pain for years, turned out i had a ruptered/prolapsed disc - L4/5.
Anyway, in the last few years the pain has got worse again. Turns out the L4 disc above has also herniated and has a large tear. Something like that.
So the outcome is i am having an L4/5 spinal fusion, and an L4 disc replacement using a prosthesis/plastic equivalent.
In addition, the surgery is anterior, meaning they will be going through my abdomen to get to the inside of my spine.
I don't like hospitals at the best of times, so i'm not looking forward to this at all, but i know i have no choice. I can't continue in pain like this for much longer, it is incredibly wearing.
Anyone had a similar experience, or know what to expect?
Edit: Forgot to say, Op is for 3/12.
Anyway, in the last few years the pain has got worse again. Turns out the L4 disc above has also herniated and has a large tear. Something like that.
So the outcome is i am having an L4/5 spinal fusion, and an L4 disc replacement using a prosthesis/plastic equivalent.
In addition, the surgery is anterior, meaning they will be going through my abdomen to get to the inside of my spine.
I don't like hospitals at the best of times, so i'm not looking forward to this at all, but i know i have no choice. I can't continue in pain like this for much longer, it is incredibly wearing.
Anyone had a similar experience, or know what to expect?
Edit: Forgot to say, Op is for 3/12.
Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 28th October 06:07
Hi
I had similar about 7 years ago, I had anterior and posterior spinal fusion from L4 to S1. The most painful part for me was that they took bone from the iliac crest (hip) for the graft. The prosthetic discs weren't available then so it was all or nothing. Feel free to mail if you want.
I had similar about 7 years ago, I had anterior and posterior spinal fusion from L4 to S1. The most painful part for me was that they took bone from the iliac crest (hip) for the graft. The prosthetic discs weren't available then so it was all or nothing. Feel free to mail if you want.
artywiz said:
Hi
The prosthetic discs weren't available then so it was all or nothing. Feel free to mail if you want.
Thanks for advice & support chaps, much appreciated.The prosthetic discs weren't available then so it was all or nothing. Feel free to mail if you want.
Artywiz, what sort of recovery period did you have? I've heard some talk of 9-12 weeks, or even up on my feet and walking within 36 hours!
The specialist at the National Orthapeadic hospital/Stanmore said that prosthesis disc replacement was still a relatively rare alternative.
Waynester,
they will have you up on your feet as soon as they can, I spent the first night in intensive care after surgery ( the op took about 8 hours so they need to keep an eye on you)then moved to a regular ward, you may be catheterised afterwards as your only movement will be being barrel rolled by the nursing staff for the first few days to keep your spine straight. Some surgeons will fit you for a spinal jacket to help but my surgeon didn't beleive inthem (Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre- Oxford).I think it was about day 3 when the physioterrorists get you out of bed. I stayed in hospital for 10 days and although quite sore was able to walk slowly, I wasn't allowed to sit or stand for more than 20 mins at a time for the first 6 weeks.
Have you had an OT assessment for equipment that will aid you back at home?
they will have you up on your feet as soon as they can, I spent the first night in intensive care after surgery ( the op took about 8 hours so they need to keep an eye on you)then moved to a regular ward, you may be catheterised afterwards as your only movement will be being barrel rolled by the nursing staff for the first few days to keep your spine straight. Some surgeons will fit you for a spinal jacket to help but my surgeon didn't beleive inthem (Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre- Oxford).I think it was about day 3 when the physioterrorists get you out of bed. I stayed in hospital for 10 days and although quite sore was able to walk slowly, I wasn't allowed to sit or stand for more than 20 mins at a time for the first 6 weeks.
Have you had an OT assessment for equipment that will aid you back at home?
Waynester said:
Artywiz, what sort of recovery period did you have? I've heard some talk of 9-12 weeks, or even up on my feet and walking within 36 hours!
My neighbour was up and about very quickly.Her op went wrong and had to be redone after a week or so, but she was as good as new afterwards and says it was all well worth it.
My son was going for your original procedure (I think). He was really wound up about it, got a date, then had it cancelled. When the time finally came, he was needled up in hospital, then told the surgeon the pain had shifted and found they couldn't proceed in those circumstances. Op cancelled. He was relieved and pissed off, all at the same time.
I'd be very interested to hear of outcomes, I had dysectomy in 2000, but didn't help so this is something I may have to have spinal fusion been mentioned.
Its very had to come by info from patients who have been cured or released of their pain.
Can you go jogging after having such a major op, ie (1 or 2 years later)?
Its very had to come by info from patients who have been cured or released of their pain.
Can you go jogging after having such a major op, ie (1 or 2 years later)?
Good Luck mate, hope it all goes well for you.
As someone who has spinal problems (severe prolapse @ L5/S1, that causes spinal cord problems) I can sympathise with you about the pain. I have been refused surgery twice as its too risky with my disc position but i don't know if i would risk it anyway i've heard too many scary stories!
I've read great things about the use of the plastic disc replacements from the U.S. I wasn't aware they were now available over here, so sounds like your in great hands.
Keep us informed of how it goes!
As someone who has spinal problems (severe prolapse @ L5/S1, that causes spinal cord problems) I can sympathise with you about the pain. I have been refused surgery twice as its too risky with my disc position but i don't know if i would risk it anyway i've heard too many scary stories!
I've read great things about the use of the plastic disc replacements from the U.S. I wasn't aware they were now available over here, so sounds like your in great hands.
Keep us informed of how it goes!
Hi, I'm new to this forum, suggested by another member (Slinky) that I take a look at this post. I know nothing about cars but back ops I have some experience. I am just coming up to three years to the day since my final spinal(hopefully)op. I have had two discectomies which weren't succesful due to having severe prolapses as L5 through to L3. Then I underwent a level two spinal fusion (anterior) with titanium cages. One poster mentioned the pain around the graft site (ilia crest), yes, this still bothers me three years on but artificial disk replacement was not available to me then.
Without over-dramatising things let me say that for a long period in my life I was suicidal. Some days I would consider chucking my car into the central reservation on the way in to work (never on the way home). Then, following all the horror stories I read online I decided to get it done. This procedure, for me was a life changing experience. I was a distance runner before the op and I am again. In fact, I was back in the gym within 12 weeks and running after six months. I did wear the spinal brace for three months thinking about it.
It can be daunting leading up to the day and the constant "what if's" will drive you mad but if I can offer someone somewhere some comfort around being positive around the op then it's worth me making this post. I will come back to see how you progress. best of luck.
Without over-dramatising things let me say that for a long period in my life I was suicidal. Some days I would consider chucking my car into the central reservation on the way in to work (never on the way home). Then, following all the horror stories I read online I decided to get it done. This procedure, for me was a life changing experience. I was a distance runner before the op and I am again. In fact, I was back in the gym within 12 weeks and running after six months. I did wear the spinal brace for three months thinking about it.
It can be daunting leading up to the day and the constant "what if's" will drive you mad but if I can offer someone somewhere some comfort around being positive around the op then it's worth me making this post. I will come back to see how you progress. best of luck.
My wife had very similar surgery about 10 years ago to replace a disc that was degenerating having been damaged in a car crash a few years previously.
As others have said, synthetic disc replacement seems to be a recent innovation and wasn't proposed as an option for us - she had the degenerative disc removed and the 2 adjacent vertebrae fused with a titanium cage and a bone graft taken from a rib.
Surgery was spectacularly successful. She was out of bed and walking with help within 48 hours and discarged within 4 days. Driving within a month. She was off work for 3 months.
There were some complications with nerve damage from the site the bone graft was taken from that required some trial and error to find the right physio treatment for, but no issues with the spinal surgery itself.
Prior to the surgery she was regularly in increasing amounts of pain which was restricting the activities she could undertake and severely affecting her quality of life. She now leads a completely normal, active and athletic lifestlye, the only signs of the surgery are a 4" scar, a "cold" feeling from the area where the metal is in cold weather and she sets off metal detectors at airports !
The most harrowing bit by far was the "discogram" (injection of fluid into affected discs to allow them to show up on X-ray) as part of the diagnosis prior to surgery.
It's transformed her life massively for the better.
Best of luck.
As others have said, synthetic disc replacement seems to be a recent innovation and wasn't proposed as an option for us - she had the degenerative disc removed and the 2 adjacent vertebrae fused with a titanium cage and a bone graft taken from a rib.
Surgery was spectacularly successful. She was out of bed and walking with help within 48 hours and discarged within 4 days. Driving within a month. She was off work for 3 months.
There were some complications with nerve damage from the site the bone graft was taken from that required some trial and error to find the right physio treatment for, but no issues with the spinal surgery itself.
Prior to the surgery she was regularly in increasing amounts of pain which was restricting the activities she could undertake and severely affecting her quality of life. She now leads a completely normal, active and athletic lifestlye, the only signs of the surgery are a 4" scar, a "cold" feeling from the area where the metal is in cold weather and she sets off metal detectors at airports !
The most harrowing bit by far was the "discogram" (injection of fluid into affected discs to allow them to show up on X-ray) as part of the diagnosis prior to surgery.
It's transformed her life massively for the better.
Best of luck.
I haven't had the operation as yet but am told it will be inevitable as i reach my 30's. As well as having spondylithesis i managed to break L3 & L4 playing rugby for my school. I spent two years in a Boston Brace which effectively ruined the rugby, swimming and golf career plans i had. I'm still in daily pain and the onset of arthritis is upon me. However, I'm still a happily active person and managed to survive 1500miles in my Impreza racer travelling from Aberdeen to Le Mans and home via the Ring last summer, all in the comfort of a Cobra bucket seat!
I wish you all the very best with this operation and will follow your progress should you give updates.
I too had a discogram which is undoubtedly the most painful experience of my life. I barely coped for the first minute before pressing the little button, given to me to 'control the pain', until all the morphine was injected into me causing me to pass out. Most unpleasant.
Very best of luck
James
I wish you all the very best with this operation and will follow your progress should you give updates.
I too had a discogram which is undoubtedly the most painful experience of my life. I barely coped for the first minute before pressing the little button, given to me to 'control the pain', until all the morphine was injected into me causing me to pass out. Most unpleasant.
Very best of luck
James
Edited by James B on Tuesday 28th October 16:51
Edited by James B on Tuesday 28th October 16:56
1 Make sure your will is up to date.
2Don't smoke the night before, and fast well.
3 The most impportant one, don't let anyone touch you post operation, without washing their hands, and wearing gloves and apron.
Ask relatives to challenge staff who do not do this.
It's going to hurt, but not for too much longer.
Best Wishes
2Don't smoke the night before, and fast well.
3 The most impportant one, don't let anyone touch you post operation, without washing their hands, and wearing gloves and apron.
Ask relatives to challenge staff who do not do this.
It's going to hurt, but not for too much longer.
Best Wishes
rude-boy said:
stuttgartmetal said:
2Don't smoke the night before, and fast well.
I understand the fasting one but why the no ciggies? i would be doing my best immitation of coal fired powerstation chimney the night before if it was me and my doc didn't mention this 
OP: As people have said you can expect to be out of bed within 24 hours of the op. Different surgeons have different protocols for rehab so it's worth having a chat with the physio pre-op so you know what to expect, and what breathing and circulation exercises to do.
i've just had surgery.. very invasive, laparotomy, 7 hour op, two weeks ago tomorrow, i was a smoker until the procedure. when i came round i was in ITU.. stayed there for 2 days whilst they tried to bump start my lungs..
My oxygen levels would drop to less than 60% when the mask was withdrawn, I had to cough all the muck up with the help of morphine to steady my wound.. painful is an understatement,
Smoking was solely responsible for the terrible condition of my lungs..
Even if its just for a few weeks.. stop before you go in.. it will make a significant difference in your post op recovery.. and if you really want you can start again later.. duh
My oxygen levels would drop to less than 60% when the mask was withdrawn, I had to cough all the muck up with the help of morphine to steady my wound.. painful is an understatement,
Smoking was solely responsible for the terrible condition of my lungs..
Even if its just for a few weeks.. stop before you go in.. it will make a significant difference in your post op recovery.. and if you really want you can start again later.. duh
rude-boy said:
stuttgartmetal said:
2Don't smoke the night before, and fast well.
I understand the fasting one but why the no ciggies? i would be doing my best immitation of coal fired powerstation chimney the night before if it was me and my doc didn't mention this Remember the op is on your back, so you'll be prone, or lateral.
Not smoking the night before has a good impact on post op extubation.
My advice, don't smoke the night before.
Oh, and by the way, you're going to be fine.
Excellent, thanks all, 3 posts have made more of an impression on me than nearly 20 years of being treated like a second class citizen just because I have a strange liking for breathing in hot toxic gases.
I will be sure to remember to blame you all if I actually do get beyond thinking I should really have a go at quiting. I never have as I honestly do enjoy it but I'm not enjoying every smoke as I used to and so it might be time to stop.
I will be sure to remember to blame you all if I actually do get beyond thinking I should really have a go at quiting. I never have as I honestly do enjoy it but I'm not enjoying every smoke as I used to and so it might be time to stop.
rude-boy said:
Excellent, thanks all, 3 posts have made more of an impression on me than nearly 20 years of being treated like a second class citizen just because I have a strange liking for breathing in hot toxic gases.
I will be sure to remember to blame you all if I actually do get beyond thinking I should really have a go at quiting. I never have as I honestly do enjoy it but I'm not enjoying every smoke as I used to and so it might be time to stop.
Anyone that isn't prepared to give up smoking prior to an operation shouldn't be operated on, you've got to help yourself if you expect others to. I will be sure to remember to blame you all if I actually do get beyond thinking I should really have a go at quiting. I never have as I honestly do enjoy it but I'm not enjoying every smoke as I used to and so it might be time to stop.
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