Had L4-L5-S1 laminectomy in 1984. Same two disks have been pinching my nerves for 4 mths now. Have inmense pain in back, but and leg. Dr wants fusion L4-L5-S1.
2007-02-15 08:55:37 · 4 answers · asked by Sal 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Visit an interventional pain management specialist. He may be able to do some epidural steroid injections which can help decrease the inflammation and swelling that can occur when the disc bulge. Forget this advice if you are having severe neurologic deficits (foot drop, loss of bowel or bladder control) and have the surgery
2007-02-15 09:57:33 · answer #1 · answered by rwill54287 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First be sure that diagnosis is correct. If you had a laminectomy, which includes removal of any protruding disc material it is very difficult to have any disc material to pinch nerves.
Is your doc an Orthopedic surgeon, General surgeon, Neuro surgeon, or Spinal surgeon, or Frisologist? It is interesting that each speciality has a different cure for you. I had a similar situation and ended up with 4 second opinions, and wouldn't you know it I also had 4 solutions, all different.
Several things to consider. There has been tremendous progress in artificial discs. There has also been progress using interbody cage with morphogenic protein (artificial bone).
There are also some other procedures you might want to look into. Denervation, hte radio frequency ablation of the Facet nerves. Another is Lysis of adhesions. Another is using a disc-decompression-device.
If you have a fusion you might want to consider a 360 degree. That will do three big negatives. First you will no longer be a candidate for cage or artificial disc, ever. Second, the only place to go from there is an intrathecal pain pump. Third, you will place a great deal of pressure on the L3-4 space and probably need additional surgery in about three years.
Take your time, get the facts. You can never back up and change your mind after you have the operation.
One last piece of advice that I got from my neurosurgeon. What ever you do make sure it is proven technology and has not changed in concept for at least five years.
Good luck in which ever direction you decide to go.
2007-02-15 09:18:38 · answer #2 · answered by ttpawpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*If you use a chiropractor make sure they use an activator. MAYBE -- There is a book that teaches about muscles, pain and referred pain anywhere in the body. The principle is that the muscles get knots called trigger points which make the muscles tight that then press on nerves. It teaches how to get them to release which gets rid of the pain. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. I also use a chiropractor* and massage therapist as needed.
2016-05-24 04:30:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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Hope this helps.
2007-02-15 17:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Iye 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋