Prolapsed disc - surgery

[parapaul]

After what seems like an eternity of crippling (quite literally ) sciatica, I've finally had confirmation that the cause is a prolapsed disc, and it's surgery time. The disc between L4 and L5 is the offending one, and even to my untrained eye the prolapse is obvious on the MRI scan.

I'm over the moon about it, I don't think it's possible to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it just how debilitating sciatica can be.

I know the success rate for laminectomy isn't 100%, but I'm in the fortunate position with my job to be on speaking terms with many doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, and it seems that by reputation, the consultant I'm under is one of (possibly the) best regarded in his field - and to me that counts far more than any 'official' figures.

Timescale is end of July, just waiting for written confirmation of a date.

It's suprising just how many people I know have had this operation already, and I've only heard positive feedback. Anyone else have any experiences - good or bad - of this kind of surgery?

Do you know what I'm looking forward to most? Being able to go back to the gym? Nope. Being able to walk the dog? Nope. Being able to drive comfortably? Nope. The things I'm looking forward to most, that I crave more than anything else, is to be able to sit on the sofa to watch tv with the OH, and to have a full night's sleep.

Bring it on

[croggers]

Sorry to hear about your pain Paul.

Have they told you what the cause of the initial problem was or just what the problem is?

[parapaul]

I think - although I'm not certain - that the cause was falling down a couple of stairs, and landing hard on my arse. It was about 18 months ago, and although I had some soreness and stiffness at the time, it seemed to disappear after a few days so I assumed it was just muscular.

We all know what assume does though, don't we?

Edited by parapaul on Friday 29th May 17:49

[croggers]

We certainly do. May I suggest you ask them what the exact cause is, as you don't want to go through the surgery and the cause still be there, to then have another disc prolapse. Also, after the surgery, make they do an X-Ray and make sure it is of you standing up, not laying down.
Good luck.

[jkennyd]

I have two busted discs and was told the op was too dangerous. I had an accident a few years ago and one disc is shot and the other not as bad (seemingly). I know the pain only to well. Seems mine busted inwards and is rubbing on the nerves so they felt it to risky. Sometimes I wonder if it was because it is to costly and not risky. Might look into again now I've read your post.
Good luck to you anyway.

[Roger645]

I had it done in 2000. Mine was quite badly prolapsed and I was taken to A&E and subsequently moved to a private ward after flashing the Bupa credentials. Had a MRI 2 days later and the operation 2 days after that. The surgeon removed the whole contents of the disc and left the "shell" in place. I was in hospital for a further week and had physio on a daily basis. I had to wear a support corset for 6 weeks mainly to restrict movement. Took me about 6 weeks till I could climb stairs again as I had nerve damage.

I swam as my main recovery exercise and for me I think it was two years before I would really class myself as being back to normal. Some of this may have been mental as I was scared of damaging the back again.

Good luck with the surgery, I understand your pain!

[Roger645]

jkennyd said:

I have two busted discs and was told the op was too dangerous. I had an accident a few years ago and one disc is shot and the other not as bad (seemingly). I know the pain only to well. Seems mine busted inwards and is rubbing on the nerves so they felt it to risky. Sometimes I wonder if it was because it is to costly and not risky. Might look into again now I've read your post.
Good luck to you anyway.

Mine was busted inwards and was "fixed" under micro-surgery. Might be worth another look as you say.

[jkennyd]

Cheers for that Roger. I will do

[Davi]

Good luck chap, I've got one in my neck that ruptured inwards then fragmented into the spinal column. Damaged nerves when it went. They wanted to put a titanium joint in, in place of a bit of my spine, but I found out with a bit of research that it was a: rather high risk for my liking and b: generally only advanced recovery to the point you'd be at 12 to 18 months down the line anyway.

Long story short I bottled it, the thought even the possibility of becoming a quadraplegic just too scary. My arm is now fairly useable again as long as I don't push it, thumb is still dead which is an arse. On reflection and with hindsight, had it not been for iminant arrival of no.1 son and a wife of nervous disposition I'd probably have gone for it...

[Roger645]

Davi said:

Good luck chap, I've got one in my neck that ruptured inwards then fragmented into the spinal column. Damaged nerves when it went. They wanted to put a titanium joint in, in place of a bit of my spine, but I found out with a bit of research that it was a: rather high risk for my liking and b: generally only advanced recovery to the point you'd be at 12 to 18 months down the line anyway.

Long story short I bottled it, the thought even the possibility of becoming a quadraplegic just too scary. My arm is now fairly useable again as long as I don't push it, thumb is still dead which is an arse. On reflection and with hindsight, had it not been for iminant arrival of no.1 son and a wife of nervous disposition I'd probably have gone for it...

Yep, some of the potential complications are worrying. My surgery ended my motorbike and jet ski riding days. The prospect of living life in a wheelchair focuses the mind!

[croggers]

May I suggest going to see a decent chiropractor in your area. They may actually be able to fix something without having surgery at all, which will be less painful. Remember, the NHS aren't going to tell you it can be fixed that way and lower there patient count, thus losing money.

[Roger645]

croggers said:

May I suggest going to see a decent chiropractor in your area. They may actually be able to fix something without having surgery at all, which will be less painful. Remember, the NHS aren't going to tell you it can be fixed that way and lower there patient count, thus losing money.

A prolapsed disc, is a prolapsed disc, there is nothing a chiropractor or osteo or whatever can do.

[jkennyd]

Roger645 said:

croggers said:

May I suggest going to see a decent chiropractor in your area. They may actually be able to fix something without having surgery at all, which will be less painful. Remember, the NHS aren't going to tell you it can be fixed that way and lower there patient count, thus losing money.

A prolapsed disc, is a prolapsed disc, there is nothing a chiropractor or osteo or whatever can do.

Correct......Like an old friend of mine used to say....Once it's fked it's fked

[parapaul]

jkennyd said:

Roger645 said:

croggers said:

May I suggest going to see a decent chiropractor in your area. They may actually be able to fix something without having surgery at all, which will be less painful. Remember, the NHS aren't going to tell you it can be fixed that way and lower there patient count, thus losing money.

A prolapsed disc, is a prolapsed disc, there is nothing a chiropractor or osteo or whatever can do.

Correct......Like an old friend of mine used to say....Once it's fked it's fked

I've been down the 'leave it alone and see' route, tried physio which was next to useless, and a private osteopath who helped briefly, but as said, nothing will now fix this prolapse except surgery.

There's a a mammoth thread on sciatica somewhere in the depths of the old P&P, I'm not sure if it got moved here or not. Amazing just how many other PHers are - or have been - suffering too...

[robertybob]

I had three prolapsed disks L4/L5/S1/S2 suffered from sciatica for 2-3 years and eventually it got to the satge I could hardly walk, couldn't sleep, stand or lie down comfortably.
Got medivac'd from offshore in the Caspian Sea and got an MRI scan done the same afternoon, flown home then had to try and convince my GP that I needed surgery....

Ended up paying to have the operation done privately in Belguim. Had a triple microdiscectomy, week later back on my feet, and back to working offshore within 5 months and not even a twinge since.
The relief is amazing, living on painkillers, and anti epilepsy drugs, tramadol, diazapam prior to the operation and not one pain killer since I had the op in August 2007.

Hope you have the same level of sucess with your op

[parapaul]

robertybob said:

relief is amazing, living on painkillers, and anti epilepsy drugs, tramadol, diazapam prior to the operation and not one pain killer since I had the op in August 2007.

Hope you have the same level of sucess with your op

Thankyou I'm on the same cocktail of drugs - and it's good to hear yet another success story

[bazking69]

I sympathise. I got to the point where I couldn't get out of bed without a mouthful of Diclofenac and painkillers, and simply couldn't relax or get comfortable no matter what I did.
Luckily physiotherapy sorted mine, and bar the odd twinge I am able to keep it at bay. I am massively cautious of what I do because sportwise as I never want to go back there again.
I hope it gets sorted for you.