Hello Im new on here and had my terminology wrong on my first post please forgive me this is all new to me so Im dealin with it best I can...Heres whats wrong let me know what you think....at L3-4 there is a mild central and circumferential bulge with no spinal stenosis or significant encroachment into the lateral recesses......L4-5 does demonstrate a central disc protrusion narrowing AP dimension of the thecal sac to approx.9-10mm No sig. encroachment into the lateral recesses is evedent however there is mild degenerative facet hypertrophy and a triagular shaped sac present......At L5-S1 there is a focal disc protrusion and perhaps axtrusion extending to the right This distorts the thecal sac and causes posterior deviation of the nerve roots, resulting in a mild to moderate spinal stenosis, most prominent on the right side. Sorry this is so long but that was the Dr. talking He says my damage is to severe for any type of microscopic He proposes a 7 in cut to make repairs and trim vert. to give nerve root room to be happy...Has anybody been here is there anything you can tell me? Ive seen 3 Dr. sofar and they all say I wont ever be the same again,This happened to me at work and Ive got a familly to take care of any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....Towman
[This message has been edited by Towman (edited 06-05-2003).]
I'm so sorry that somebody hasn't come along yet I'm no good at figuring these things out, but please hang in there, somebody with this knowledge will hopefully be along soon.
We are not doctors, but we do have a few people here that are pretty good at some of the terminology that you have listed.
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Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
I regret the day that I agreed to have this surgery.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.
I wish I knew more to help you but I can't, . Keep posting this question until someone gets back to you, be persistant. I'm sure someone who knows the answer or who can help you will come along. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.
-Coby
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Chronic back pain for 6 years
Epidurals, PT, occasional relief
Hurt back severely during college football
Ruptured L5 S1 and nerve damage
Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy, medial facectomy on 2-20-03
Pain is getting better every week
Residual numbness and pain in foot, butt, calf
Rehabing at new PT and getting better
Still have numbness and occasional pain in leg
Eric Davis goes to the same PT as me! I'm in good hands!
I am so sorry that I have no answers for you. I just wanted to let you know to hang in there, somebody will be able to answer your questions for you. I'm sure that your are going through some very stressful times right now, escpecially since you have a family that is counting on you! There are a lot of great people here that can give great emotional support if the times get too bad! I will keep you in my prayers.
Mary
Can't give you much advice. You mention you have seen 3 doctors and all say you won't be same. Question is how many docs have recommended surgery? What kind of doc are you treating with? Orthopedic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon? I would recommend seeing one of each for evaluation as they seem to differ in opinions and I personally tend to trust Ortho more as far as surgery recommendations go.
Good luck and keep posting and keep us informed of your decision regarding surgery.
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Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--scheduled for full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
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Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
Thanks Maria for your kind words its nice to have someone to talk to that has an idea of what your going thru........Baker Im going thru the work comp thing and so far Ive seen there general Dr. there ortho. for epedurals had 3 felt alot better after the first one but it went away in a couple of days the other 2 had no change now Im seeing an ortho. surgeon the last two both say surgery what Im mainly worried about besides the operation is the disc atL4-5 is bulged and he says theres nothing he can do with it and L 3-4 is mildly bulged also Ive been dealing with this since the day after Xmas and Im going crazy...Any advice will be greatly appreciated...Towman
Hey good luck to you, I've three surgeries all in the L4/5 area. Its a hard decision, mine have been over a span of 15 years, I don't think I will ever be the same, but as long as I can function, Its rough when you have a family to support. Try a neoro surgeon or another ortho surgeion. I've done the facet injections, they are a quick fix, but the pain keeps coming back, You may have to think about filing for Soc Sec Dis benefits. I did, I devistated me not to be able to work, but my family and my body comes first. Good luck Jane
I hope your doc means no endoscopic... not no microscopic surgery.
Many (or most surgeons) will avoid endoscopic procedures except in the easiest of cases. There are several doctors who specialize in endoscopic procedures and have great success with cases that other surgeons wouldn't consider doing with a scope.
Check out Tony Yeung, he has a website that is sciatica (you'll have to figure out the other part... we can't post other websites here.)
Also look up Dr. Schiffer in San Francisco and Dr. Dittsworth in Los Angeles... they all specialize in endoscopic procedures.
Good luck,
Mark
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*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Germany ***
2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion
9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED
9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion
Both discectomies helped with hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).
*** The AlphaKlinik was wonderful. My expectations were high, but the clinic, it's staff, and Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!
*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Germany ***
Mark's guess is a good one. You may be a candidate for a laminotomy/microdiscectomy (through a 1-2 inch incision) even if you are not a candidate for a micro endoscopic discectomy (through a puncture of the skin that can be covered with a bandaid). Why does the surgeon need to do a 7 inch incision to repair one disc? I have heard of 6 inch incisions in old-style discectomies, but that was before the operating microscope was invented. If you had a central disc herniation or severe stenosis, a surgeon might have to remove the entire lamina, but your MRI said the axtrusion (extrusion?) was to the right, which to me suggests a right paracentral disc herniation. I had a left paracentral disc herniation that was repaired after shaving away a bit of bone (a laminotomy - so the surgeon could get his instruments to the disc) and removing the herniated material (a microdiscectomy). He needed only a 2 inch incision and I recovered quickly (in a few weeks).
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HNP at L4-5 late Sept 2002
3 months PT and Ibuprofen
Reherniation late Feb 2003
Nerve block mid March 2003
Microdiscectomy 4 April 2003
3 months PT (trunk stabilization)
Walk 4 miles daily from now on.
Mark and Pat thanks for your input Im gonna try and get another opinion on this my Dr. wants to spend all his time chewing on me about my weight and he says its gonna make my surgery a lot harder Im a big guy and always have been Im 6ft 3in tall and weigh 350 and did weigh around 300 when I had my fall 7mo. ago I think because of my size he just wants to make it easier on him and split me wide open...Anyway I appreciate your input and talk to you later....Towman
ANYBODY?????? 
I'm no good at figuring these things out, but please hang in there, somebody with this knowledge will hopefully be along soon.
