how to decide on surgery? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

StillWater · 06-29-2003, 09:20 AM

How do you decide when is the right time for surgery?
The orthopedic surgeon I see has been urging me to have surgery for at least a year now. I've been resisting. I'm not "afraid" of surgery, I just want another solution, or at least not to rush into it. ESIs have helped for from 1 - 4 months at a time. From what I read, the decision should usually be made on how it affects your quality of life. I do have pain in my legs most days, sometime severe and sometime just there. The problem is at the L5/L6 level and the primary pain is sharp pain down the back of both legs. So far, I've chosen to live with it. I'm curious - how do others make the decision?

[This message has been edited by StillWater (edited 06-29-2003).]

jdog · 06-29-2003, 08:08 PM

Stillwater -

Do you mean L5/S1? I don't think we have an L6. I was wondering if your disc is just bulging or has herniated.

I made the decision for my first lumbar surgery because it got to where I could not walk more than 30 feet without having to sit down. I tried an ESI series and it only lasted 2 days.

I had a Laminectomy at L3/4 without fusion to remove the herniated part of the disc. In my case, it was textbook. I was able to return to work in a month.

My cervical surgery was an emergence. Herniated discs in my neck could have severed my spinal cord in an accident.

I now have another lumbar herniation that I am working with. An ESI was sucessful and I am researching potential surgery options. Since it is not an emergency and I still am in control of my bowels and bladder, I have the option.

Good luck to you in your search.

jdog

StillWater · 06-29-2003, 09:11 PM

I'm sorry. It's L4/L 5.
One thing that confuses me is that everything I read says that people with this problem have pain in standing or walking, but that sitting relieves the pain. For me, sitting is often the most painful. Or the movement from standing to sitting or vice versa can be excruciating. Walking is painful, but sometimes I can stand that pain more than standing still or trying to sit.
Yes, if I lost bladder of bowel control that would convince me it was time to have the surgery. For now, even though the pain is very bad at times, I'm opting to wait. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. The dr obviously doesn't think so.