Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis? Did you have surgery?

@katie215 I know that Mayo would review your case without charge, and would tell you if they could help or not. Then you can ask questions about possible costs and decide if you want to go there. You will have charges when you become a patient. I've heard opinions from neurosurgeons at a conference and they did not think the Laser Spine Institute was a worthy opinion. You need another good opinion. Don't let only one opinion decide your future. I was turned down 5 times, and then I came to Mayo, and was so glad I did. It changed my life. Mayo is an excellent place. I had cervical spine surgery there and you can find my story now on the Sharing Mayo Clinic blog. You'll find a list of costs for spine surgeries on the Mayo website. Mayo is thorough about evaluating all the other health issues you may have and can be expensive, but it is expert care second to none. Why do you think removing bone spurs will leave you with not enough bone? Bone spurs are extra bone growing where it doesn't belong, and the surgeon used my bone spurs to seed the bone graft and I fused perfectly. this adds live bone cells to the mineral matrix which is what is left after donor bone is cleaned. I suggest do what you can to be a good surgical candidate with multivitamins, etc, and a good diet. You will need that if you pursue surgery.

@katie215 It sounds like your stenosis is at the nerve roots. There is a procedure called a foraminotomy to open up the foramen (spaces where nerve roots exit) where they approach from the side and don't remove discs. Here is an explanation https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/surgery/foraminotomy-taking-pressure-spinal-nerves. If you have spinal cord compression from stenosis, then you might be looking at a fusion after removal of a disc. I think 70 is young. Spine surgery is a long recovery, and I am so glad I did mine for cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression.

Hello Everyone I wanted to share my medical problems with my neck/ lower back. The doctors said I have spinal stenosis, and arthritis in my neck in many places I went to a Chropractor for a long time I had massages, and xrays too My hips are out of place. My knees hurt, my legs blow up with knots, and I fall sometimes for no reason. My thumbs and fingers hurt all the time too I recently applied for Disability. My friend insisted for me to apply. She says I have to admit to the truth of my pain. I also went to Physical Therapy for my neck. I know what to do to help myself with PT. I have already gone to a Chronic Pain doctor. It took me 18 months to get in. And then I turned my papers in 1 week late for my medical and it took me 6 months to get it back, Now with a mental break down, mental issues, PTSD Anxiety Depression and ADHD(which makes things suck with lateness no focus etc). But I am not feeling too bad with going on this site. I have received a lot of support. It will probably take another year to get my medical back. Welfare know what ya make before you do/Truth They said I cannot have it till the last 5 jobs are signed that I am not working there but they know I am not, I lost my jobs because I am slow and cannot do the jobs anymore. Our system is so lousy and it is sad We all need to get involved with this benefit, we have for emergencies. We have to get Congress straightened out. Do you think I will be approved for Disability? Has anyone had problems with our system. I live in Ohio. I used to be a work alcoholic. Please pray for a young guy in his thirties. His MS has gotten worse. He had to quit working. Thanks for listening. Good Luck to All of Us

@jenniferhunter Thenk you for your response. Exactly. My main issue is at the nerve roots. I'm familiar with the mechanics a forinotomy. However, I'm quite perplexed Laser Spine Institute were not willing to perform same, citing possible bleeding complications etc. At this point not sure where to turn. 1) keep status quo. 2) challenge Canadian medicine which is exhausting at the very thought, 6 or more year waiting list 3) have met file reviewed at Mayo, but perhaps my age of 70 will cause me to be redundant.

@katie215 From what I have seen online about the Laser Spine Institute, it looks like lasers are used to destroy the softer tissue like a ruptured disc if it is tissue that extends outside of the spine. They don't remove a disc, just what squishes out that they can see. That leaves the problem disc intact, and this problem can happen again and the patient is back where they started. Your issues are different because it's in the foramen where you have a nerve right up against bone spurs that grew there because of inflammation likely because the disc material extended into the foramen. To free that nerve, the doctor needs to remove the bone spurs or expand the space another way. I don't think lasers are used for bone removal and because what they do is minimally invasive, they can't actually see the area except for the tiny window they have through a tube that was inserted. This is why you need an opinion from a neurosurgeon who uses a traditional approach to solving the problem and can see what he/she is doing. I did a lot of research before I had spine surgery which helped me look at the issues and possible solutions.

Minimally invasive and lasers aren't right for everything. I think they look for easy simple cases, and turn away others. It's good that they told you they can't help because that frees you to look elsewhere. Spine surgery is quite expensive if you have to pay out of pocket, and that's a decision only you can make. Health Insurance in the US involves a "negotiated rate" to discount it from a list price, and institutions have to set prices like this because of the insurance companies. You won't know what an estimated cash price for surgery would be until you ask. If you have to wait 6 years for help in Canada starting now, how much worse do you think it will get by then?, and you have no assurance that the problem would be fixed. I was turned down by 5 surgeons before I came to Mayo and in 2 years time, I got a lot worse. I could go anywhere my insurance coverage allowed, but still it was hard to get someone to help me. I can only imagine it must be a lot harder to get help in Canada where there are a lot fewer spine specialists. The surgery I had at Mayo changed my life and Mayo will take complex cases. They have a lot of experience doing that and many more experts than a lot of other institutions, and you can find them all listed on the website. My mom was able to have ankle surgery in her 80's and did OK, so don't let your age limit your thinking. What is more important is how healthy you are now. If you keep thinking you are too old to be helped, that probably will come true. I hope this information helps with your decision.

@jenniferhunter You are so right, yes I a very fortunate they turned me away. Hubby and I were just discussing this very thing. We are now wondering if we should ask Mayo to review my case. Yes, at my age. I have so much more life to live, in spite of this horrible diagnosis.

@katie215 , so glad to meet you here on these pages. Your post cought my eye, as Spinal Stenosis is one of the many conditions I have that make life so interesting to deal with. Frankly, I have not done as much research or had to deal with as many treatments and doctors' appointments with that as I have with so many other things. I have frequent muscle spasms, pain and weakness from having Arthritis in all my joints, Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantar's Fasciitis, Hammertoes (Surgery completed for one foot) Diabetes, IBS, Diverticulitis, Depression, Anxiety, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am doing pretty great actually, since two of my medicines were withdrawn from the market for causing cancer. Other medicines I keep on reserve in case I am suffering with a flare and really need them. The Lissoreal seems to help with all of my back issues, and the Flexeril I take at bedtime I also take Cymbalta and Gabapentine, the Gabapentine when there is a flare. I wish you all the best, and I hope that you find some answers very soon. Mayo Clinic is a very helpful place. Love and light.
Mamacita

@mamacita Your kind reply is so appreciated. I've been rather devastated by my recent assessment of spinal stenosis with nerve impingement. You have many issues to deal with it seems and your positive perspective and attitude are remarkable.

You mention Gabapentin. I've heard of its value and plan to ask my pcp to Rx when I'm back st home in Canada. I have hope it may help ease some of my pain.

Wishing you also, the very best, going forward now into 2019. And as you state wisely, Mayo has been a guiding light and source of relief for many, over the years.

Hi I am 72 years old and have been recommended to get foraminotomy Does anyone have experience with that kind of surgery and what is the recovery time thank you

Yes, one year ago had surgery! Didn’t help! Am having stimulation wires put in my back next week!