Endoscopic vs open spine surgery for L1-5 stenosis and spondylosis?

I would be interested in hearing what people have to say about this also. I just had an open lumbar decompression of L4-5, L5-S1 for central canal stenosis and bilateral medial facetectomy at both levels as well as a Microdissection. I was having debilitating nerve pain in my left glute, all the way down my leg to include my ankle, foot and toes with numbness and my skin was so sensitive at times that I couldn’t even touch it. I was not able to stand or walk for more than 30 seconds before the pain became so intense I had to sit or lie down.

2 weeks post surgery, I would say ~90% of the pain is gone. I don’t want to jinx myself, because I know it’s early in the recovery but I am hopeful. Long story, a friend had similar symptoms (maybe not as debilitating) and he had a minimally invasive laminectomy the week before me. I would like to know the specifics around choosing one over the other, the M-A surgery obviously is a less extensive process and quicker recovery.

I think it all depends on the surgeon and the disease process that’s being treated. Surgical practice guidelines are what the doctor must follow and worth a discussion. A scope is less invasive with a shorter healing time vs. an open procedure. After having had open surgery in 1990 if I needed it for my spine again I’d choose the easiest recovery procedure.

@jenatsky

Hi,
Without writing a book {Hopefully,lol} I am new here and need advise; I am considering surgery as living on opiods and not able to function much with the constant Horrific pain! I have other major issues; LCH {Langerhans Cell Histiosis} Fatty Liver {Stage 3} T2 Diabetes w/Insulin Therapy and now a year of Severe Lumbar Stenosis {L5-S1} These are just the major one's ! I want the MILD but surgeon says I am a high risk period, I can't seem to deal with this anymore and if I were not in a relationship with the father son and holy spirit I would end all this myself@!
Any words of knowledge or such would be appreciated as I can no longer deal with this!...btw I see my neuro Friday.

Thanks gby

@rockinrene65 you didn’t say what pain meds you’re taking or how long you’ve been on them? No you shouldn’t be in intractable pain. After my 1988 fusion and laminectomy I was put on Tylenol #4 and eventually #3’s for over 10 years. I was switched to morphine pills and after a few years on that I went to a time-release morphine pill. This eventually stopped working sufficiently for my pain relief. I’ve been on buprenorphine patch which provides 24/7 relief. I went from 15mcg patch every 7 days to 20mcg after a 2 week trial. I’ve been on that same dose for about 5 years with good results. But with your comorbid conditions I don’t know if you can use it.
I can totally understand how you feel and why you feel this way. Chronic pain is very debilitating and it takes a lot out of you. I find that stretching, exercise helps my pain relief as does walking which I do every day.
Have you tried acupuncture, Myofascial release, mindfulness therapy? I’m doing all of these because I don’t want to take any breakthrough meds. I also micro dose THC and CBD 3 times a day. You need to investigate a few methods to help yourself be pain free and thinking outside the box helps. I hope the neurologist can help explain thing’s further? You might ask what is stopping them from performing the MILD procedure too,