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

Posted by Mariette R. @marietter, Nov 13, 2025

Any comments on lumbar endoscopic spine surgery instead of open spine surgery for L1-5 stenosis and spondylosis?

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Rene' | @rockinrene65 | Apr 16 9:26am
In reply to @jlssurplus "@rockinrene65 Sounds really tough, my wife has been on opiods for 10+ years it sucks. She..." + (show)
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@rockinrene65
Sounds really tough, my wife has been on opiods for 10+ years it sucks.

She was weaning down and doing pretty well after her last fusion then a month a go she was T-boned by a texting driver and she has returned to back pain hell.

Have they looked at minimaly invaisive surgeries like microdiscectomy to clean that disc up?

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@jlssurplus

Morning,

I am sorry for your wife's pain ~

Yes, the minimally invasive surgeries like microdiscectomy would be great! however with all my other health issues I am a high risk for surgery...They said I would have to;

1. Lose 50 lbs
2. Have my A1C at 6
3. Quit Smoking

I have smoked 45 years now, I was diagnosed with ILD in 2006, I quit smoking for 4 months feeling so much better but it is my go to for coping with anything emotional...started again after the death of my Father. He died from throat cancer as he had been a heavy drinker/smoker. I know it is wrong and not to smart but it is my comfort... Now I have PLCH On Oxygen 24/7

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Mariette R. | @marietter | Apr 16 10:15am

That’s why you need to find a neurosurgeon that is trained in Endoscopic discectomy. Small incision the size of a pencil , close with maybe a stitch and bandaid. Done outpatient surgery. You go home the same day if the procedure !

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jlssurplus | @jlssurplus | Apr 16 12:00pm
In reply to @rockinrene65 "@jlssurplus Morning, I am sorry for your wife's pain ~ Yes, the minimally invasive surgeries like..." + (show)
Profile picture for Rene' @rockinrene65

@jlssurplus

Morning,

I am sorry for your wife's pain ~

Yes, the minimally invasive surgeries like microdiscectomy would be great! however with all my other health issues I am a high risk for surgery...They said I would have to;

1. Lose 50 lbs
2. Have my A1C at 6
3. Quit Smoking

I have smoked 45 years now, I was diagnosed with ILD in 2006, I quit smoking for 4 months feeling so much better but it is my go to for coping with anything emotional...started again after the death of my Father. He died from throat cancer as he had been a heavy drinker/smoker. I know it is wrong and not to smart but it is my comfort... Now I have PLCH On Oxygen 24/7

Jump to this post

@rockinrene65
I hear ya, my wife finally quit smoking maybe 10 years ago after 40+ years.
Hardest thing to do. I'm lucky, never started just did a lot of other crap..
I have weight issues too. Tough genetics.
Can you get the weigtht loss drug through insurance. I know if Your diabetic most companies cover it.
Dr.'s do vary in what kind of BMI they will operate on I found that.
I wish you luck
In the end it is up to each person how they want to live their life

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1 reply
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Rene' | @rockinrene65 | Apr 16 12:36pm
In reply to @jlssurplus "@rockinrene65 I hear ya, my wife finally quit smoking maybe 10 years ago after 40+ years...." + (show)
Profile picture for jlssurplus @jlssurplus

@rockinrene65
I hear ya, my wife finally quit smoking maybe 10 years ago after 40+ years.
Hardest thing to do. I'm lucky, never started just did a lot of other crap..
I have weight issues too. Tough genetics.
Can you get the weigtht loss drug through insurance. I know if Your diabetic most companies cover it.
Dr.'s do vary in what kind of BMI they will operate on I found that.
I wish you luck
In the end it is up to each person how they want to live their life

Jump to this post

@jlssurplus

Tried Ozempic, side effects way to strong for me...I can lose the weight thru diet but now not much for exercise options besides chair & stationary bike, limited to 3 minutes at a time...takes 5 minutes to recover as well, lame rite.... I am proactive in all aspects except the smoking rite now tho with these opioids I tend to smoke more it seems... But the patch did work before so will give that a shot again soon, have to be in the rite mind set to want to is key...

REPLY
1 reply
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jlssurplus | @jlssurplus | Apr 16 2:06pm
In reply to @rockinrene65 "@jlssurplus Tried Ozempic, side effects way to strong for me...I can lose the weight thru diet..." + (show)
Profile picture for Rene' @rockinrene65

@jlssurplus

Tried Ozempic, side effects way to strong for me...I can lose the weight thru diet but now not much for exercise options besides chair & stationary bike, limited to 3 minutes at a time...takes 5 minutes to recover as well, lame rite.... I am proactive in all aspects except the smoking rite now tho with these opioids I tend to smoke more it seems... But the patch did work before so will give that a shot again soon, have to be in the rite mind set to want to is key...

Jump to this post

@rockinrene65
Rock meet hardplace
Sometimes you just need to move the rock a couple inches at a time.

I got my wife one of those under the desk elliptical machines when she couldn't walk for excersise, even if you use it on the motorized setting it at least helps with leg muscles.

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