lower back pain operation or what?

Question

can anyone tell me if they have had a operation on there back. i suffer with degenarated disc with an impinged nerve dont no wether to go for operation or try physio. the pain is unberable right now and no amount of tablets is taking it away. please can any one give me information on the operation as doctor said i can decide which to go for. please help.

sorry yes i forgot to say doctor said i can have epidural but theres side affects.

Answer 1

I think we have the same problem. I have degenerative disc disease and have had numerous operations to get rid of the pain (nerve blocks). Altho i have to have them every couple of years i have no regrets whatsoever. I had the last on just over a year ago and my quality of life once they're done (i have to have five ops in total) is immensely improved, and i have next to no pain at all!

If you want any more info about what happens, please feel free to contact me. After years of pain it was great to find something that worked when physio, osteo and pain killers hadn't worked.

Answer 2

DDD is not a disease but part of the ageing process. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and a prolapsed disc that hits both nerve roots taking the legs out from under me let alone nice lower abdomenl pain as if someone had stuck an electric whisk where the sun never shines and turns it on full power. They are NOT going to operate unless I loose my bowel and bladder function and that will be an emergency operation to try and get the bowel, bladder and legs back, but NO guarantee. Seems they have changed their minds of disc removal or spine operations as people tend to build up 'scar tissue' later on in life and that caused more pain and disability than the original problem. As I was told 'In ten to fifteen years the inflammatory disc material will be absorbed by your body as the disc shrink with age, then you will be pain free'. My reply 'Is this a Joke?' Seems not. Instead they have me on Fentanyl patches which keep the pain under control, except when the disc does it dance, usually if I have been over working! Fentanyl is 80 times stronger than morphiene and I was vomitting for the first five days, but eventually that wore off. While I was not willing to accept this long term pain treatment, in hindsight I am GLAD I did, because it allows me to keep mobile, walk my dog, mow the lawn, still enjoy life pain free! One month before the disc problem was diagnosed, I signed up for Pilates, exercise to strengthen the core muscles thereby tightening the muscle to assist keeping the spine straight. I was at Pilates for nine months, one one hour session a week and I think it worked, feel more upright, have the right posture, am more aware of how I lift things and have really toned up all my muscles. That has stood me well along with the Fentanyl.

Answer 3

Hello,

(ANS) The question your asking raises yet further questions. Personally, I think you have to ask yourself if a surgical intervention to your back will bring you the long term pain relief that you so desire.

I agree its very easy for me to sit here and say that surgery may not be the answer here, however my opinion is based upon some limited experience. I used to work in a large hospital for a consultant anesthetist who specialized in pain relief and who ran a pain clinic.

Yes! some forms of pain relief can be given & produce good pain management & relief using a variety of methods such as stronger specialized pain killers, localized injections to joints,etc but surgery for pain relief was very rarely offered in fact I cannot recall any cases where surgery was used.

**Also the other aspect of the problem here is that because you have a de-generative condition of the spine I am even more dubious that surgery is going to be the real answer, its a very difficult and tricky problem I have to agree. Would surgery exacerbate the de-generaive condition thats a very real question you would need to ask your doctors?

I would only suggest surgery for pain relief as a total and utterly final last resort. Only after you have completely exhausted ALL other options and avenues of treatment.

NOTE: A surgeon no matter how good they are, no matter how experienced they are, they cannot guarantee the success of the pain relief you may finally get post operatively.

NOTE:- Surgery for pain relief is NOT risk free either, you could have surgery and be no better off at all??

**Have you tried a TENS machine for your back pain yet??

**I had a relative who was involved in a rear impact car crash many years ago and he suffered with whip lash and had surgery to his back and this made things worse not better. So I guess that may be colors my opinion here?

IMO avoid surgery if you can, only go for surgery as a last resort.

Kind Regards Ivan

Answer 4

I had an L4/L5 prolapsed disc and even Morphine was of little use. Had the op and whilst it's still tender 6 years later, it's 99% better than it was! Have the op!!!!!

Answer 5

have the op i have tried everything for ddd the pain is unbearable my left leg is so weak i am house bound iv been told to live with it so if your lucky enough to be offerd the op go for it good luck

Answer 6

ask if corticosteroid shots are an option. know some people that it has been successful for. I hope your pain subsides. Tell your Dr. to give u something for pain : (

Answer 7

ive lower back pain go for the opp nothing else helps if it is that bad.

Answer 8

go for the op