Should I have back surgery?

Question

I hurt my back playing hockey and an MRI showed 2 compressed discs and a pinched nerve. Some doc's are telling me to have it fixed while others are saying just leave it as is. It "flares" up and really gives me pain about 1 week every 3 or 4 months. The thing is I fly in the Air Force and dont really want to be grounded for 6 months to a year! Should I get it or will I be ok not getting it?

Answer 1

Not a simple yes or no. A big key is how much leg pain and numbness do you get when it flares up. There is a big difference between a bulging disk and a true herniated disk.

Some procedures only trim the disk back while many surgeons believe that for long term reasons you need to stabilize the segment thru a fusion procedure.

I take it that you have tried epidural injections and other conservative matters.

Regardless, what will the Air Force allow? Will they allow you to keep flying after recovery from surgery or will you be discharged? I can see where there would be concern about you being in the air if you have frequent episodes.

In other words, find the physician you trust the most and lay your cards on the table.

P.S. I know someone playing in the NFL with a 2 level fusion.

Also: Beware of any claims that a manipulation will "fix" a disk. If a bulging disk is caused by a dysfunctional facet joint, then one or two manipulations made help. However, manipulating a herniated disk could increase pain and disability. Avoid anyone who suggests "regular adjustments". This is a term used to keep regular customers. McKenzie exercises along with core stabilization helps with bulging disks.

I'm basing this on 20+ years of sports medicine experience, primary at the major college level.

Answer 2

A simple answer to your question is absolutely NOT. NO. Nada! I would only get surgery if your life was going to be lost if you don't.

Back surgery only helps about 18% of the ones who get it and in many cases makes the problems worse for many. Any good surgeon will tell you this if he is truthful. I would also not listen to the people that tell you "do nothing." Who are these people and why are they still here?

Compressed discs can be problematic and should be taken care of. There are a few good chiropractors that can help, but many of them really don't do a good job, so you need to find one that knows what they are doing in this regard. Here is one I know of that really knows their stuff:

Great Life Chiropractic - (714) 751 - 5050

Depending on the discs that are compressed, different things will happen. If, for example, you compress disc C-5, you will affect the thyroid function. The nerve that goes through this disc goes to the thyroid and if it is compressed, you will get some pain, but more troublesome will be that it most likely will be hard for you to lose weight, for instance, even if your TSH level is in the normal range.

My suggestion is to get to the right chiropractor and have them adjust the discs to relieve the compression issue. Then, I would go to a practitioner that can do "prolotherapy." This technology was developed for athletes to help them with damages to the back, legs, arms, etc. The way it works is to inject a small amount of dextrose into the area where damage is and this creates inflammation in that area. The body's natural response is to increase blood supply to that area. If you include a quantity of nutrients for building tissue for that area, the blood will carry the nutrients there and rebuild the tissue. The treatment is relatively painless. It usually takes several visits to complete the treatment, but this is NOT something you have to do for the rest of your life kind of thing.

This method of fixing the problems you have described are far better than choosing to be "cut and pasted" with an 18% chance of success or looking at it more practically, an 82% chance of failure.

If this solution doesn't work, you can always choose to go the other route, but the chances of success with this are very high and it has worked on a greater number of people and is far better than surgery.

Some questions to ask yourself about surgeons: If surgeons were not operating on people, what would they do for a living that would support the life style they have become accustomed too? Isn't what they do a business? Do all of them have your best interest at heart or does their pocket book dictate who they operate on? After all, is back surgery life threatening? Have you checked out all the alternatives to surgery or just asked a surgeons opinion that has the most to gain from getting you under the knife?

Good luck to you - choose well

Answer 3

That is a very difficult decision that only you can make but I feel surgery (which isn't a guarantee and could make you worse) should be the last resort. Look into seeing a chiropractor and/or acupuncturist who can both help you manage this condition non-invasively. With regular adjustments from a chiro you can minimuze the flare ups and possible eliminate them. Some chiros now work in conjunction with an acupuncturist to control the pain of the flare up so you can function properly.

Answer 4

From personal experience....I vote NO. I had (still have) compressed L1, L2 & L5 vertabre caused from a fall while mountain climbing when I was in the Army. They gave me the option of surgery...and losing my comman due to the recovery time or wearing a back brace until the injury was corrected. To me...a none decision. I wore the brace or 3 months (not 24 hours a day....well, at least not after the 3rd week) allowing me to keep my command.

The pinched nerve...I have had one since an injury playing ball in college. Still hurts from time to time....but heck....are you really willing to allow that to stop you from flying!!? Didn't think so.

Good luck and ask those doctors for an alternative to surgery.

Answer 5

Well That is a very tough descion.The Piched nerve will hurt when you walk sit stand.My Husband had surgery a year ago for 2 hurniated disk and a pinched Nerve.He still has back troubles even after his surgery.Try Massage therapy 1st.

Answer 6

How old are you? Age makes a big difference. If it continues to degenerate due to friction, you should get it repaired. If it can be treated and tolerable, leave it alone. I had a lumbar fusion done 2 yrs ago, and there are times now it hurts worse than before I had the problem "fixed"

Answer 7

I would get a second opinion. Even for something as minor as that, the way I look at it, any time you have to cut into something should be a last resort. I don't know much about carpal tunnel, but depending on what you do that caused it, maybe see if there's physical therapy or something you can do to strengthen those muscles or something.

Answer 8

I recommend you read this book before deciding: http://www.amazon.com/Ive-Got-Your-Back-Straight/dp/0451220218