I have to have surgery on a ruptured disk in my lower back but I am only 30. Any advice on types available?

Question

I was involved in a car accident last November (Dumb @## ran a red light) and found out that I have 1 bulging disk, and 3 herniated disks. Well, the neurosurgeon recently told me that one of the disks are ruptured, which from what i take can be used interchangeably with the word herniation? Anyhow, the ruptured disc is now pinching my ciatic nerve and causing severe pain in my leg and groins. They put me on neurontin, percoset, zanaflex, and voltaren (not to mention the many stool softeners i take because of side effects from the percoset). I have also lost the reflex in my right leg, cannot lift it up much, and knee is weakening. So, they have recommended back surgery, but i am nervous because i am only 30 yrs old and have heard horror stories about back surgeries. Has anyone had a similiar experience or had a similiar surgery? What type of surgery do you recommend. My neurosurgeon does not recommend laser surgery, any advice on this?

Answer 1

Two of my patients have got spinal surgery in India.One was treated for spondylolistheis by spinal fusion and the other for discectomy of herniated disc.Both of them are very happy with the results.Their pain and other symptoms due to nerve compression have totally gone.

Spinal 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.

The 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.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

Your options for surgery-
1)discectomy
2)laminectomy
3)laminotomy
4)discectomy with disc replacement

Answer 2

I have had that operation at 25 years old. Don't do it. There are many other treatments for a ruptured disk. Get advice from 4 other Dr.s before you make a decision. I made mine and I am sorry. I am now 56 yrs old. All those horrow stories you heard are true. Word of advice, don't take any drugs with narcotics in them, they will get you addicted in a very short time. They had me hooked and I landed up in the hospital going through withdrawls. The withdrawls were worst then the accident that started the problem. My life has never been the same since.
I pray you don't go through what I went through.

Answer 3

My dad had the same thing and he ended up with the back surgery and they didn't do the laser. I would ask the surgeron straight up of how many he has done and the outlook of the ones he has done. My dad is better he can't lift as much anymore but at least he is not on all the meds. And just getting off the meds and the stool softners would be a plus as well.

Answer 4

Sounds like you really do need surgery in order to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. Find out about the exact operation the doctor is proposing and then get a second opinion. And remember that the operation to take the pressure off the nerve may do NOTHING to help any back pain but should help the leg pain and leg weakness.

Answer 5

Look surgery is the only solution to your problem but what i can sugest you is that you can try you surgery procedure done here in india and can save great amount of money. The servises like Hospitalization,Boarding, and lodging are of 5 % star category and secondly Dr's expertise over here is no less then any where else in the world. You can try the following link and see if it helps.www.healthcaretours.com

Answer 6

Sorry about your accident. I would suggest you check into good physical therapy. I saw a program about the benefits of back surgery vs. physical therapy and the therapy worked out best and without the recovery time and stress to your body, not to mention the expense.

Answer 7

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