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My dad had his spine fused like 30 yrs ago and he never had a single issue. You will know when it gets to that point where you need surgery. Its the point were your like can this get any worse and you just get it done.
 
I am going Tuesday may 7th to have L4-L5 fused.I have been dealing with back pain for 18 years and had it under control till about a month ago when one of my dogs tripped me going down the steps.About a year ago I was having scaitiac pain and I used a pain doctor that did a epiadural injection and made all the pain go away till I fell again.The Dr I used was great and one of the best around I would definatly try him before you go the surgery route.Pm me and i will give you his name and number if you want.If you do go to a surgeon he is going to send you for a disc o gram and let me tell you its the worst test you can ever have in your life because ghetto are trying to induce pain to tell exactly were it is.I just went through it last week and I think I would rather die then have it again lol.Good luck and I hope someone can help you back pain is the worst you can have and I would wish it on nj enemy
Good luck, I hope you have the same outcome that I did. So far so good.
 
I had severe compression in c6c7 dr jack knightly did my surgury at overlook hospital. 3 yrs ago. Before surgury I had no reflexes in my left are and severe radiculopathy pain. After surgury no pain took about a year but I regained my reflexes. He is a top neuro surgeon former naval surgeon.
 
talk to Sugar about back surgery. I had sciatic pain, and saw a pain specialist; three injections into my lumbar spine under a local and I was doing fine as far as the back was concerned. Sciatica SUCKS. Good luck with it.
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
Thanks again for all the replies.

At this point to me it's not the pain so much, I can deal with that to a point. For the pain I will most likely see a Dr that my family has seen for years, pain specialist.

Right now my ortho is more concerned with having permanent nerve damage if not treated right away.


Sugar, LOL Im a big guy 6'1 255 I know I gotta drop a good 40lbs !


Have my appointment at 8:30 this morning
 
I have had two lower back surgeries, not related. Both were laminectomies. The first was in '92 and the second in '01. IMO, both were successful. I have no pain at all and lead what I consider a normal life. I stay away from any heavy lifting! The first surgeon that I had in '92 is long retired. The second may still be practicing, Dr. Giordano, Morristown, NJ.
 
Had back surgery a month ago. Had hernaited disk at L5S1 level. Pain in butt, down leg into foot. Still have a little numbness in the foot and my right leg is weak, but no pain! So much better.
 
What did you have done lady bird.I am glad you have no pain anymore.The strenght should come back in time.As far as people that say live with the pain either never had back pain or there's was not sever.If I have slept 30 hours in the last 5 months that is problem a over statment.I can not live without pain pills and anti inflamotorys so I totally understand people that want to do anything they can to stop the pain.I can't wait till Tuesday to have my surgery even if I still have some pain it has to be better then what I am in now.
 
Lady bird - Hang in there. I had an L5S1 lamenectomy done in 2001 with numbess to my foot, I couldn't feel my two little toes. The numbness will be totally gone in 4-6 months. Your nerve regenerates at a rate of approx. 2mm/day. When the surgeon told me this I thought he was full of it, but he was on the money. I still get bouts with sciatica pain but only when I overdo something strenuous and don't lift correctly. Surgery was the best thing I ever did. The only thing I would do different is have a neuro surgeon do it rather than a orthorpedic surgeon. Neuro's are much more delicate.
 
I actually had the same level operated on in July, but re-hernaited it again. That's what you get for dragging eight pointers out of the woods! I had micro-disectomy done, where they clean out the disc portion pressing on the nerve. The neurosurgeon will only do the surgery twice, if it happens again, I will need a fusion. trying to avoid that. Glad to be pain free, sleeping and no percocet.
 
lamiasectomy 2 years ago, I was numb from shoulder to hand, doc was also worried it would become permanent damage. I was skiing two weeks after surgery and lifting weights 3 weeks after, I missed 1 day of work. Hackensack Hospital.

Top notch Dr, even accepted the $1200 fee from my crap insurance (out of network) and forgave a $32,000 balance.


Patrick A. Roth, M.D. North Jersey Brain and Spine Specialists

Dr Roth is a board certified neurosurgeon and founding member of North Jersey Brain and Spine Center. He has been in practice since 1994. He advocates the use of a holistic approach to patient care with a focus on the promotion of health rather than the treatment of disease. All treatments are considered in the context of the patient’s repertoire of activities and desired function. He has dedicated his practice to the care of spinal disorders with a particular interest in minimally invasive spinal procedures and the use of back strengthening to treat back pain. His interests span the spectrum from high-tech computer-assisted surgery to the implementation of aggressive home exercise programs. He is currently writing a book on the philosophy, paradoxes, and treatment of back pain.
He is the Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. He is also the co-director of spine surgery and is the site director of the neurosurgical residency-teaching program. He serves as a “mentor” for students interested in a career in medicine. At The Valley Hospital, he is the surgical director of the Spine Center. He has served as Chief of Neurosurgery at Holy Name Hospital and Chief of Neurosurgery at Pascack Valley Hospital.
He is a yearly recipient of the New York magazine’s “Best Doctors,” the Inside Jersey magazine “Best doctors”, the Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors in the Metropolitan Area”, the “Patient’s Choice Award”, the “Five Stars of Caring Award” , “America’s Top Surgeons”, and “Top Doctors” from Doctors Across America.
He is a member of the American Association of Neurosurgeons, the Congress of Neurosurgeons, the North American Spine Society, the American Spine Society, the Society of Lateral Access Surgeons, the New Jersey Spine Society, the New Jersey Medical Society, the Bergen County Medical Society, and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society.
His outside interests include exercise, reading, music, and sports.

 
I had a sciatica problem, numbed me down to my leg. Here's what worked for me: Yoga.

Okay, not the entire routine (and I don't wear tights) but a few exercises that helped ease the tension on my spine. In short, whereas I used to bend forward to touch my toes in order to stretch, this Yoga exercise has me bending backwards. Been fine for several years now. Everyone once in a while it starts to come back and I put on my tights... I mean, I return to the Yoga routine.

WARNING: Yoga has numerous side effects, such as initial muscle pain and significant ear pain from friends finding out you do Yoga (Ramses, can you hear the laughter?). Do not attempt without first speaking to a physician to avoid additional physical issues and getting approval from your wife to avert strange looks.
 
I herniated two lumbar discs in 1999 and another in 2010. I avoided surgery by going to a neuro surgeon. The orthopedic doctor was ready to cut me open after injections didn't work. The neuro sent me for a lot of therapy to strengthen the lower back muscles and pain is now infrequent but a stiff back in the morning is common until you move around a while. Fusion is the worst option. They now do disc replacement that has a higher success rate than fusion surgery.
 
second laminectomy Jan 05. good until Aug 05, started walking like a drunken sailor. about 7 neurologist and one ortho doctor past 7 years. No answers accept last neuro dr. said I have 'mild' Parkinson disease ??? Yet. internet said need 'two' symptoms for Parkinson.....I still only have imbalance condition. If at all possible try for NON intrusion surgery like a laser ??? just my 2 cents.
 
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