Back surgery, ouch! I'm hoping someone can give me some insight into a scary situation I am facing. Among other back problems I have scoliosis in my back. My surgeon wants to place a rod inside next to my spine and attach it with six screws to straighten my spine and relieve the pain and weakness in my legs. I'm fairly unnerved with the prospect but I'm told it will help me regain the strength in my legs so I can walk longer distances without pain. I am concerned about the pain I'll have in my back afterword and wondered if anyone has had experience with this type of surgery. Thanks for any information anyone can give me. |
I don't have any experience with this kinda thing and I don't know anyone who has but I hope you get the answers you seek. It sounds like you have a lot to consider!! |
I don't know much about this problem but you might want to look into this. About | Laser Spine Institute Many Doctors/Hospitals have great luck with this type of surgery and others not so, it would need to be checked carefully. It's always very important to know how often the Dr. you are thinking of has done this surgery. Best of luck, you will be in my prayers. |
My Dad just had back surgery and it is quite a surgery. He too had things implanted. It's no small surgery, for sure. BUT, he says it's so worth it bc he feels so much better than he did before, when he was in almost constant pain. After the surgery, it's quite painful - but he used his pain meds every few hours as instructed, and over the next few months he kept tapering down and now he is on very little pain meds...I think just one per day. Really question the surgeon about what recovery is truly like, whether or not your mobility will be restricted and for how long -- for example, my Dad isn't allowed to do certain things for almost a year...and that's good to know so that you're not surprised afterward. You want to know everything you can upfront. |
Thank you all very much. My surgeon is highly reputable and has preformed orthopedic surgeries for 40 years. His credentials are outstanding. I was told by the Laser Institute that they could help me but they can't straighten my spine with a laser. The closest place they could do laser surgery is in Pennsylvania, too far from home. My insurance won't cover laser surgery either calling it out-of-area and experimental. I'm 63 and don't know how long I can wait if I decide to do it but I won't be rushed either. I have multiple issues with my discs as I have degenerative discs, arthritis,etc, etc. This won't fix everything. I may need more surgeries down the road as my discs change positions Just wish I knew if it would be worth it or if I would be exchanging one pain for another. If I had my leg strength back after a few months it may be worth it.:confused: |
How wonderful to have a Dr. with that much experience in the field. Like you said 'I won't rush into it' and like Wylie's Mom mentioned, one cannot know too much or ask too many questions. If you are like me, I feel more and more confident with each new question answered. You are young compared to me,I slid on the ice November 18th and broke my wrist trying to break my fall. I saved my hip which could have been a major problem at 82 so I thankfully went with the minor of the two. Ann, so glad your Dad is on the mend.:) |
Yes, you will have pain but have an understanding with your surgeon before hand about how he plans to keep your pain level manageable. I'm just so thankful to be living in his day and time when there are so many ways to help post-op pain and get us through surgeries that in the past must have been truly awful. God bless and keep you through this coming surgery and rehab and may you have a much better life afterward. |
You have questions that you might want to address to your surgeon regarding the pain etc. the surgeon is the only one who can tell you what he expects to accomplish with the surgery. My granddaughter had severe scoliosis and kyphosis and had two days of surgery -- this was in her teens, today she has no pain and is an active lady. Only problem she had is that she could not be flight crew in the Air Force. Best of luck to you! |
I was suppose to have neck surg the start of the year to replace disc but my insurance said NO... I was scared to death but my stepmom and friend have had great results granted that is different than the surg you are talking about. NOW my knee surg... oh MY was it HELL?? YES would I go back in time and do it again if I had to?? YES IN A HEARTBEAT!!! My grandmothers best friend was 72 and had knee replacement surg the same day as my knee surg, she walked into my hosp room to visit me... they have to go in remove bone, shave my kneecap, relocate all my ligaments and screw everything back in place. I could not put any pressure on that leg, not even let my toes touch the ground for 6 months nor bend the leg so of course it locked up then it took another 6 months to learn how to walk again.... other than being able to tell you when it is going to rain or the weather is about to change I am great, I was even told at the time I would never have full range of motion back but I do... so yes as long as I knew I had a great DR, which I did because he does a lot of NFL, NBA and etc players I would do the surg again in a heartbeat. |
Thank you for your responses. They do help me think just how this surgery can effect me short term and long term. I have talked to my doctor about the pain issue and timeline for recovery but as experienced a surgeon as he is he has not "personally" experienced the effects making your input valuable to me as well. I got my results from my bone density test and I have solid bones-no osteoporosis so I now know at least the screws should hold. Thank you again for sharing your time and stories to help me as I sort all this out. |
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