The Back Surgery Site

By Randal O. Denley on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply

I had back surgery in May 2003,in which my surgeon found a herniated disc in the L2 region. He stated after looking at my MRI, that what I had was a spiral herniation in which the bulging disc circled my spinal nerve cord. After surgery he told me that my condition only occured in approximately 1 to 2% of all his patients. He stated what he did was just trim the bulged disc off my spinal nerve, but did not replace the disc itself.At the time preceeding my surgery, I had lost all control of my Left leg and had extreme pain in my lower back, but continued working as a supervisor in manufacturing. Now, five years later, the problem is starting all over again.I am 53 years old(48 at time of surgery), and the surgeon stated that my vertibre in my back looked like that of a 65 year old man. I just worked myself to death, lifting too heavy of loads, and bending over at the lower back quite often. He also stated that my vertibrae had tiny vertical cracks in them, which is normal for an old man. Please contact me and help me decide where to go from here. I am filing for Social Security, but being denied according to them because “I can walk and am not blind”.

By Karen on May 8, 2008 | Reply

I have a long history of bad connective tissue problems, which means bad back in my family…seriously…its genetic on my mother’s side. My aunt is one of only 8 people in the us to have had every disc replaced and held together with herrington rods…this was in the 1970s. She is now 50 and has had both shoulders, both knees and one hip replaced. She has applied and been turned down. She appealed and got disability. I am 39 and just starting down the “surgery path” I have had two back surgeries in less than a year. I too am considering Social Security Disability. I have two cousins and a close friend…all with rotten backs that started out as degenerative disc disease. In a nutshell. EVERYONE, EVEN DOUBLE AMPUTEE’s get refused social security disability the first time…most even on the second appeal. My friend, who is in her 50’s has been fighting Social Security four years. She has had several back and neck surgeries including fusions. She has documented everything the past 10 years…lost time, sick days, cancelled appointments, Decrease in ADL’s (activities of daily living) including missing her daughter’s wedding and then birth of first grand daughter and inability to interact fully as her granddaugher has grown. When she filed, she was refused after waiting for 8 months to hear anything. On appealed and she was refused, this time after almost a year and a half of back and forth to doctors, second opinions, Phyisical therapist for “assessment and scoring”. By now she’s pissed off, angry at the system, dismayed, at whits end…etc, etc. Her and her husband, despite being financially strapped, came up with a $2500 retainer, talked to friends and associates, and finally got hooked up with a good “disability” attorney. After 3 hours of reviewing the documention she had keep over the past 10 years and looking at all the material submitted for an appeal, he asked for an immediate hearing of the appeal with a federal judge. After getting the court date and forwarding his summary and some documents to the judge prior to the hearing, they went before court, he started to present his case, and the judge interrupted to ask my friend two questions…can you “physically” work 20 hours per week at a job in your field, or a similiar field, if court ordered, and when was the last time that she DID NOT take any narcotic pain medication. She answered no to the first, adding, not unless the court plans to pay for my hospitialization, subsequent surgeries and additional pain and suffering that will be the death of me, and over 20 years ago to the second. The judge told her he didn’t know why this case did not get approved on your first appeal (and explained that all Disability claims get refused the first time…its the only way the system has to try and weed out those that are truly deserving) its obvious you can’t work and if you would, legally you would be a danger to yourself and others as you operating a motor vehicle to get back and forth to work while “technically” being under the influence of a controlled substance which could cause you to do harm to other and possible spend the rest of your life in jail. He stated I have reviewed your records, you clearly cannont physically perform any substantial job tasks without the reliance of heavy narcotic mediciation, which, if you have been taken for 20 years, are undoubtly addicted to and dependent on to assist you with what life you have. He judged in her favor and told her to go spend time with her grandchildren if it was the last thing she did.
So, you got denied…So you say you are working yourself to death…who isn’t, that doesn’t qualify you disability. I can’t tell what does…but perhaps you can read a little between the lines and this helps you understand the process.

By Shannon Ross on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply

I am only 21 years old and I have 2 “mild Bulging Discs” in my lower ban=ck. L4 and L5. I am in so much much pain that I am starting to get depressed> I have tried all the top named narcotics like vicodin, mederol, percocet, tylenol w/ codeine, etc. I am currently on neurotin because my doctor says that the discs are hitting the nerve in my back. I am missing time off of work because of the pain and i don’t know what else to do. My doctor even prescribed me physical therapy and that didn’t work. I can’t sleep at night because of the pain adn not getting comfortable. I’ve had this pain since my accident about 6 months ago. Please help me.

By Barbara Pretzman on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply

I currently have 5 bulged discs..I have heard of an operation that some kind of gel or substance that is injected between the discs to help cushion them..I believe it the same stuff that is injected in the knee for a knee operation..can you tell me what that is and what type of operation this involves? I am currently on AHCCCS and have had one operation on L-3 and L-4 with no results…I am in pain…Please help

By Connie S. on Aug 9, 2008 | Reply

I am 54 yrs old and 3 months hurt my back. Finally had a MRI which reveal 2 bulged discs….L3- 4 and L4-5. I have been off work for the entire 3 months. resting the back. It will on some days feel better but never completely without pain and other days, the pain is pretty severe. It seems that simple things agrivate this condition, driving, sitting, standing , even mopping. I have not tried to lift anything so I don’t know about that. I only drive short distanc. during this time span, I had to drive for an hour and the pain was absolutely terrible that night. Is there anything that can be done for bulging dis besides resting the back. I have done that for 3 months. The only treatment thus far is pain meds which I don’t like> also I am confused. I was aways taught that a bulging disc was when the disc is intact but pushing beyond the vertabrae, a hernitated didc is when the the sac had actually opened and the fluids were leaking. Please explain the difference and the treatment of the the bulging disc. I was told that this would be a lifelong problem. Is this true. Please give me some answers.

By cory darby on Aug 15, 2008 | Reply

I am in the same exact situation. the doctor said i had a shallow heriation in L4 and L5 my back has been hurting for over 6 months and I have even tried physical therapy and that seemed like it made it worse. I have been deppressed to but I am learning to deal with the pain.

By jim on Aug 24, 2008 | Reply

tell doctor to give you a lumbar shot of cortizone.ihave had these shots twice. the first time i had one it was like i never had the problem. the first set of shots took away all the pain and i did not have another problem for six years. the second time it took two shots and some rest.

By joyce on Aug 24, 2008 | Reply

See if your doctor will do spinal injections in the L4 & L5. I had the L5 / S1 bulging & got the injections. 90% of pain gone instantly.
Sometimes, I have heard, that you need a series of 2 or 3 sets of shots. I am going for a second as my left leg is still tingling down to my toes. Can not sit for very long, but the pain is almost gone!!

By Kelly on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply

I am 30 years old and I had the same problem, but my was only one disc. I was sleeping over a coffee table to releif the pressure. I tried the shots and nothing worked. I would talk to your doctore about having a surgrey done. It was the best thing that I did.

By CINDY on Sep 11, 2008 | Reply

I was diagnosed with 8 bulging dics and herniated discs L2-S1. I am in a lot of pain and do walk, if I do not walk I am worse. A horse accident has left me unemployed and unable to do my vocation. I do take time release oxycodone and if I do not have it I am unable to move. Try walking, it is slow walking but it helps me I can only do 25 minutes in which I worked up to.Hope this helps.

By Angelica on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply

I am 21 years old also, and was in car accident when I was 19. I was T-Boned on the drivers side where I was. I have had so many problems with my doctors in getting this fixed. For an entire year I was having lower back pain, and for the first few months of that, my General Practitioner wouldnt tell me to do anything but take Ibuprofen and go home. It wasnt until I went to my chiropractor and he ordered a MRI though my medpay in my autoinsurance did I find out I had a herniated disc in L4 L5. I then went BACK to my GP and they told me that because the MRI had not come from them, they were reluctant to take them. Finally, upon much persistance on my part, I was referred to the Spine Clinic, where they put me on prednisone and Flexerol. This failed to work, and so they moved on to doing the steroid injections. The first one worked for about 3 months, the second, didnt help at all. Soon after, I became pregnant, and he back pain went away, aparently because hormones during pregnancy loosen up the joints which caused less pressure on nerve. Now, my son is 4 months old, and I am right back where I was before I got pregnant, IN PAIN! I am unable to sleep, unable to sit comfortably, unable to walk straight (as it causes SEVERE scoliosis) I am unable to perform any of my daily routine, including holding my baby, and going to work. What do I do now? I am inclined to hassle my doctor, who has now prescribed valium, vicodine, and prednisone, to just schedule the dang surgery. I cannot afford the time or money lost in all of this! The medication is not helping AT ALL, I am missing work, and my baby is missing his mommy, as well as my husband and other two step-children.

By Donna on Sep 22, 2008 | Reply

I am 51 and had back surgery in 2005 for a bulgeing disc at L4 and L5. I was pain free for only a short time and the back pain got worse and worse.I had an MRI done and they said I have a herniated disc in the same place I had the last surgery. The pain is almost constantly but it is worse in the mornings when I wake up. It is so bad that I have to get up and sit on a heating pad and take a couple vicodine before the pain eases up and then I go back to bed and sleep a little longer. The pain has been so bad sometimes when I am up walking that I have to hold myself up with a walking cane and stand still for a few minutes. I am having surgery again on Oct. 2nd, I sure hope it helps this pain that I am in daily. I am so sick of this constant pain. It gets to a person after a
while. It makes a person get depressed.

By Brittany Hancock on Sep 25, 2008 | Reply

Hi I read your comments on your back problem. I was diganosed with a perferated lumbar disc. I hope I spelt that right. Do you have any knoweledge on that or advice for me. I need to know which way to go. Thanks

By ROBIN ROBERTSON on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN MAY OF 2003,IWAS HURT PRETTY BAD AND DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO TURN SO I GOT AN ATTORNEY.TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I WENT THROUGH 3 YEARS OF THE RUN AROUND FROM HELL,WHICH INCLUDED INTENSE THERAPY EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS,COUNTLESS DR.’S APPTS.,AND FINALLY HAD MY CASE HEARD BY A JURY OF MY “PEERS” THEY RULED IN MY FAVOR,57,000 TO BE EXACT,BUT AFTER EVERYTHING WAS PAID I WALKED AWAY WITH ONLY 5,000!!!HERE IT IS 2008& IM STILL IN SEVERE PAIN THAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH DAILY.C2-3,C3-4,C4-5,C5-6,C6-7 IN MY NECK ARE EITHER BULGING &OR HERNIATED.(IVE HAD NO SURGERY)MY BACK IS NOT AS BAD,BUT L3-4,L4-5,L5-S1 ARE HERNIATED AND I HAVE NERVE DAMAGE AS WELL.I HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED FOR YEARS,BECAUSE OF MY PAIN AND WHATS THE WORST PART OF IT ALL IS I KNOW I WILL NEVER BE FIXED!!I HAVE NO MED. INS. I CANT AFFORD IT AND I CANT WORK, SO I JUST LIVE DAY TO DAY,ADDICTED TO PAIN MEDS. AND HIDING FROM THE PUBLIC.I DONT HAVE ALOT OF DOCUMENTATION, SO IM S.O.L. WHEN IT COMES TO DISABILITY.MY ADVICE TO ANYONE IS DONT GET AN ATTORNEY,AT LEAST NOT IF YOU ARE LIGITIMATLY HURT,I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE.

By barbara on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

hello people, im 54, going in for surgery oct 14, for interbody fusion on L3-4,L4-5,L5s1. has anybody had this type of surgery? ive had cervical fusion already, that worked out great. but im scared of this upcomming one. anyone have any advice? something to do with spacers w/my bone marrow with rods and pins. or maybe someone knows a website i can go to to where they can help me, with what to expect when i come out of surgery. thanks

By Joseph A. Sharp on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

I,suffer from a herniated disc in my back between the #3 and #4lower vertibrae - I’ve
taken Ibupro.( 800 mg tab)which helped for a long time (About 2 yrs.)and I later had to take the steroid shots which seem to help less
each time I get one - It is my understanding
that a neuro-surgeon in Va. Beach, Va. that does surery on herninated disc with super results and by using min. evasive surery -If you know of this Doctor please tell me how to get in touch with him. Thank you very much .JAS

By shannon sander on Oct 4, 2008 | Reply

I have been in pain for 5 years at first the pain was so bad in my abdominal area and now my back ihave went in for five surgery in the past 10 years now i find out that i have herniated disc L5 s1 my leg has given out and i drag it the pain is so bad in the morning i have to roll out out bed because i cant sit up. if i dont take the pain meds i cant walk i dont want to go in for surgery again, and it has been hell on my relationship with my boyfriend. when will i live a day without pain…

By Tom on Oct 6, 2008 | Reply

I have been fused from T-12 down to L-5. I had what I was told a Pedicle subtraction ostyodomy (please excuse my spelling). A pie shape wedge was removed from my L-3 pedicle so my spine could be straightened up to allow me to stand upright. My L-5, S-1 disc is now degenerating. Could this be the problem that I’m having with pain in my toes? I’m also unable to get an erection to make love with my wife and I have pain in my penis and left testicle. Could this problem with L-5, S-1 be the cause of that? What areas of the body do the L-5, S-1 nerves influence and or control?

By Tina on Oct 17, 2008 | Reply

I’m 35 years old back in 2001 I had an MRI done and was diagnosed with arthritis in my L4 & L5 constantly suffering from back pain I have learned to deal with it. I cannot sit for long periods of time, it’s not to bad when walking but when I sit down my back will hurt but then when I stand up again I have severe back pain. It wasn’t until last month when I was at work sitting in a chair that I got a really sharp pain in my lower back and on my right side I also had a spot on my upper back that started to hurt from this. It was hard for me to work nothing that I did releived the pain I had missed alot of work for about two weeks. I went to the doctor he ordered x-rays of both upper and lower back, when those came back he told me that I might have arthritis in my uppper back as well. He wanted to an MRI but my insurance would not pay until I went through physicial therapy first. Done that did not work. He order MRI of both my uppper and lower back. Went back to him on the 15th of OCT. and he said that my upper back was fine but that I have a herniated disc in my L2 & L3 and that I have buldgeing discs in my L3,L4, & L5 now he wants me to got and see a specialist to talk about having surgery done on my L2 & L3. Anybody have any suggestions on what I should do?

By Angela on Oct 17, 2008 | Reply

I am 32 years old and just had a L4, L5 bak cage fusion with pedicle fixation at S1. I am only 3 months post-op, and life has been very hard since the surgery as when I had the surgery I had a 9 month old baby. Everyday has gotten a little easier but, I sure hope someday I will be normal again. I know my future doesn’t hold any jet skiing or anything however, functioning on a daily basis is hard sometimes.
Angela

By Angela on Oct 17, 2008 | Reply

Tom,
I am a nurse, and a just ended up haveng a Bak cage fusion at L4-L5 and pedicle fixation at level S1. Yes what you are feeling is probably related to this area. I had the disc pushing on my sciatic nerve, lost alot of strength and muscle in my entire left leg. I had numbness and pins and needles all the way down to my toes. This area also can affect your bowel and bladder continece. You should really see what your Doctor/Surgeon reccommends.

By Angela on Oct 17, 2008 | Reply

Angelica, You need another Doctor. I just went through a similar situation only birthing my son is what caused my herniation. L4-L5, and after my surgery, all is better pain wise, I still have my moments, but you learn ways of doing things with better body mechanics ect. It takes me alot longer to do the little things in life like clean the house ect. I would definitely get a new Doctor, sounds like he is a pull pusher and doesn’t take you seriously.

By Melissa on Oct 19, 2008 | Reply

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY QUESTIONS.

I am 35 years old I was injured on September 11,2007 from a slip and fall accident at my place of employment. I have a bulgeing disc at L4.And the back injury is pressing on a siatic nerve which causes me to have pain in my left leg.I was put on light duty at work and then my work started treating me like crap cause I was no good to them anymore. When I wasn’t getting proper treatment I contacted an attorney to help me out.I was sent to physical therapy which isn’t worth a crap and didn’t help it was just a waste of my time. I had an injection around my injury which didn’t help me either. My workers compensation doctor wouldn’t put me on no narcotics because he didn’t want me to get addicted to them at all.So now all I have to take is muscle relaxers,Anti-Inflammatory Drugs that don’t help me at all anymore cause I have been on them so long. In April of 2008 my pain got worse and now it is where I can hardly walk 2 feet without being in so much pain that I want to cry and feel like I have to crawl to get back home or to somewhere to sit down at .I don’t want to have to use a walker cause I would feel embarrassed but it may have to come to that cause I can’t even shop for groceries or take my daughter to the mall without having to stop and take a rest just to be able to make it through the mall.Should I try to walk with a walking cane to see if that would help me at all. And my doctor told me that I am to young for back surgery. And now I have pain all over my body I can’t sleep at night because I hurt so bad. My husband has been so understanding and so helpful to me I thank god for him everyday.I asked to have the doctor and my attorney to see if workers comp will give me the spinal injections but I was turned down and I was told that the medication was good enough for me. I am trying not to be depressed but it is hard because my way of life as I once knew it is gone and it is hard to function a day to day basis. So now my doctor has told me that their is nothing else he can do for me so he is not going to be able to see me or give me any more medications .I applied to my social security disability and was turned down and I was told by them that I was able to get a job working as a cashier. I would like to know how these people think that someone who has a back injury is suppossed to stand for 8 hours a day.Should I get a second opinion from another doctor becuase I am tired of being treated like crap and feeling like that injured workers don’t know how they feel or how bad that they are hurting when you go to see your doctor and they act like they don’t even care no more about you or how much pain your in.

By leah on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply

im 28 years old just had a small accident at work i slid on plastic bag and they completed a MRI because i was having sactica and low back pain and results are 2 herniated discs S1-L5, L5-L4 now they say i need to speak to a nerosurgen. my job is very physical with lifting, pulling, and pushing i actually finished college and this is the career i choose and to think i may never do the job i love again.

By yamila on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply

cindy i have the same problem but i also have a buldging disk on my siatic nerve my doctor says surgery is the best option since i have tried everything else … but my main concerns are how long where you out of commission and in bed rest (i have two small girls 4 and 2) and what are the risks in getting this operation…

By BRANDY on Nov 17, 2008 | Reply

I HAD SURGERY ON OCTOBER 30,08. IT HAS BEEN 2 1/2 WEEKS NOW. THE DAY OF SURGERY I WAS UP AND WALKING AROUND, NO PAIN. THE NEXT DAY I CAME HOME,IN PAIN. I THOUGHT THE PAIN WOULD GO AWAY WITH TIME. I DO NOT DO MUCH,BUT HAVE TO DO SOME,I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD AND MY HUSBAND HAS TO WORK. SURGERY WAS HERNIATED DISK THAT WAS CUT OUT[NOT FUSED] AND BULGED DISK. I AM GETTING SCARED CAUSE THE PAIN SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE INSTEAD OF LESS AND LESS. TODAY I FEALT SOME NEW PAIN,PAIN THAT I HAVE NEVER FEALT BEFORE. THOUGHT MAYBE PEOPLE CAN TELL ME THERE STORIES TO KINDA TELL ME TO WHAT I AM OR MAYBE LOOKING AT.

By Nancy Teague on Nov 22, 2008 | Reply

My name is Nancy, I’m54 years old. In 2000 I was diagnosed with Empysema and Copd. In 2003 I had to close my business because I could’t work and lukily after being denied Social Secuerity Disability I found a really good lawyer and within 5 months I got my first check from SSA. Shorty after that I started having terrible low back pain. My doctor would give me cortizone {depo-medrol}and also predsone. He never did an x-ray mri or anything and absolutly no pain meds. I changed doctors in 2006 after going to a ciropractor for almost a year.Then my primary doctor sent me to a pulmanologist and he had a ct scan done and thats when they diognosed the degenerative disc disease. I’ve been to every nurologist and pain clinic in our area and ny lung doctor said I couldnot hve surgery because I’m in stge 4 of the Copd and they won’t give me anything for pain except 50mg tramadol and 150 mg lyrica all that does is make me ill or sleepy so i just hurt all the time . So bad I walk the foor and cry .Heat nor cold helps I had 6 epidurals in one yearand have to use a cane or walker and if I go anywhere I have to make sure I have all my meds for my Diabetes 2 pills glucopage and I take an insilin shot at night and check my blood sugar 3 times a day. I feel sometimes I want to just throw all my meds away and just not take anything but I have 2 beautiful daughters and 4 wonderful grandchilden. I lost my only son in a motorcycle wreck in 2000 and my next to the oldestdaughter in 2005 from an anurism on her heart I spend 90% of the time by myself and am not supose to be by myself at all My lung doctor told me,my mom and my youngest daughter that back in J une when he put me on home oxygen. usually when they put you on oxygen it’ only about a year and the patient dies. But then still I want to be here for my family I have left I just need a doctor that will give me some medication to stop the pain.

By Katie on Nov 28, 2008 | Reply

I’m 27 and had back surgery 9 years ago for a herniated disc at L5 S1. Since I was a freshman in college at the time and 4 hours from home I chose to delay treatment until the summer. I was in severe pain for 3 1/2 months before I met my neurosurgen. I now wish I hadn’t waited as long as I did, as I now have some permanent nerve damage in my legs and lower back.

I was amazed at how fast I was up and moving after the surgery, but i quickly learned that even the smallest “wrong movement” would cause a lot of pain, but over time I learned what I could and could not do after back surgery. Even today 9 years later I know when I’ve done too much (bending, twisting, pulling or lifting)but the pain from overdoing it is nothing compared to the pain i was in prior to my back surgery.

By BeBe on Dec 2, 2008 | Reply

I am facing surgery Dec. 15, 2008. I have suffered from back pain off & on for over 20 years - reason unknown - no injury. Shots used to help, but no longer last over 1 day. I have tried everything to avoid this including PT, Chiropracter, Achupuncter. Meds help, but pain is getting worse. My doctor says I have bulging disk at L2-L3-L4 & L5-S1 (for some reason it skips L4-L5). Pain gets severe in lower back when I stand from sitting in a low chair(it feels like a bomb has exploded in the area & extreme burning). For many years the pain was in the lower back & down the side of the left leg. Last year it all moved to the right side & became different & worse. It started with severe pain down the side of the right leg including my knee giving way when walking - most of that has been “cured” with PT. However I do still have severe, near constant, pain in the large muscle in the front of my right leg between my knee & groin. I also have periodic pain in right buttoch. My doctor is planning a surgery using “X-Stop” - a type of spacer to relieve pressure on the sciatic nurve. Until I speak with him again, I don’t know if he is planning on 1 or 2 spacers. I understand this is a realitively new procedure so I am seeking anyone that has had this type of surgery for their comments. Thanks for any help & sorry for my poor spelling.

By Stephanie on Dec 4, 2008 | Reply

I’m 24, I injured my back at work when I was 22 yrs old by lifting someting too heavy. I was diagnosed with L5-S1 disc portrusion, with an annular fissure,(which means it’s torn in half), The L2-L3 and L4-L5 discs have mild bilateral facet osteoarthritis. I have been to 2 different physical therapy places, trying 2 different kinds of physical therapy 1 including water therapy which did help some. The pain persisted so my doctor referred me to get cortazone (steroid) injections done. I got one done and I was in so much pain I couldn’t move for a week and a half, it was worse than before I went in there to have it done. My Doctor won’t allow me to get back surgery done because he says I’m too young. I don’t know what else to do. I’m depressed, angry, and have done everything I have been told to and still have immense pain. I can’t sit or stand for more than 15 minutes, driving hurts, washing dishes, I can’t sleep, the only way I’m comfortable is laying down, and doing that for too long makes me stiff and drives me nuts! My Husband works 2 jobs trying to support us. It’s been almost 2 years and out of those 2 years I’ve only worked 8 months. I’m scared, lonely, and feel helpless. What do I do?

By jorge on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply

I. Have been in pain for two years . I was diagnosed with disc herniation l5s1 I have Been seeing a chyropractor,phisycal therapist,doctors and still in pain. My job is getting tired of me being out eventhough I got hurt at work. I don’t know what else to do. Can somebody helps out?