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Having Decompression Hemi Laminectomy and possible Diskectomy
I have been having radiating pain through my hip, buttocks, leg into my big toe off and on several years. Physical therapy and a round of oral prednisone would take care of the issue. This past December the pain returned with a vengeance. I tired the normal PT, oral prednisone, three different chiropractors, massage therapy, dry needling, etc with no relief whatsoever. Having been a Mayo gastro patient in the past, I contacted the Spine Center at Mayo Jax. I got in for an assessment with the Physical Medicine Dept. on March 20 - which happened to be the last day for non-essential appointments/procedures due to Covid 19. They were able to add me to the MRI schedule before I left that day. (Yet another example of Mayo going above and beyond. Folks stayed late so I could have that done before returning to my home 400 miles away.) They called me within a couple of days and gave me the findings. They recommended that I try epidural steroid injections before considering surgery. Due to Covid 19, I had to have these near my home but it was late April before I could get that scheduled. The first injection helped my pain for 5-6 days. My second injection which was two weeks after the first gave me relief for 7-8 weeks. I thought I was on my way. The pain then began to come back and gradually worsened. At that point the Physical Medicine Dept referred me to Dr. Selby Chen. Since it was going to be a month before Dr. Chen had an opening, he recommended a third injection to try to help the pain. The injection itself was very painful - totally unlike the first two. I didn’t not get any relief from the third injection and I fact the pain is getting worse. After my appointment with Dr. Chen (I am so thankful for telemedicine), he recommended decompression surgery and a possible diskectomy at L4-L5. Due to Covid 19 they are very backed up so my surgery isn’t until Oct. 8. Has anyone had this surgery and if so, what can I expect? Dr. Chen said I should be able to leave the hospital the day of the surgery or the next day. I’m one that likes to know exactly what to expect with medical procedures. I handle it a lot better that way. If this surgery doesn’t work, my only option will be a fusion which I want to avoid if at all possible. I am very active and have just retired after 35 years teaching, coaching and serving as a school counselor in a public high school. I want to get my lifestyle back. My pain is when I stand or walk. Thankfully I get about 90% relief when sitting. I would appreciate anyone that could share experiences, what to expect, etc.
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I'm a 70 yr old retired Ironworker. Had a hemi laminectomy with discectomy at L4-L5 in 2000.Walked out of hospital same day. I'm still very active and L4-L5 only bothers me when I do something dumb, like bend/twist and lift. All I can say is that it worked well for. me Leon G
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1 Reaction@jenniferhunter Thank you for sharing your research! My PCP of 25 years as well as the physiatrist independently recommended the same neurosurgeon, who is part of Allegheny Health Network. Both based this recommendation on outcomes of their patients. My physiatrist offered another neurosurgeon, who is part of UPMC, to see for a second opinion. As he said, "It is your back. See three or four surgeons if you need to before making any decision." @leongreenjr Thanks for sharing your experience--it's good to hear positive outcomes!
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1 ReactionI have had 3 back surgeries, acupuncture, back braces, epidurals, pain creams and many pain pills. Still have pain all day long.
What can you tell me about platelet rich plasma injections?
What type of back surgery did you have. I’m up for surgery for spondylolisthesis, fusion, bone graft, remove herniated discs, stenosis
1999- spinal fusion L4-S1....good recovery for 6 years
2005 - extended to L3.....good for 8 more years
2013 - extended to T10, this was sposed to be the big fix.
Good till 2018, terrible pain upon rising. We searched for a year. CT’s, MRI’s, I finally diagnosed it myself as kyphosis. Simple standing x-ray with nurse practitioner, Gibbus Deformity (45 degree kyphosis at T10 with multiple fractures.
2019- fusion extended to T4.
2019 fell over the dishwasher door (yes. I’m stupid).
2020 revamp from T10-T2 since I tore out the previous fusion.
I take Tylenol and Celebrex and gabapentin. No other pain meds. I’ve learned to ignore the pain. I came up with my own exercises to target every muscle group in my back. I work on my pelvic floor and core strength. The stronger I get the less pain. More pain? I attack it with simple back muscle exercises with a big rubber band stuck in a door and slow. LOTS of reps. It’s working!!!!!
Not stupid. Just “natural grace” as I like to call it! 😍 I have oodles of it! LOL!
I was good to go in two days. At home physical therapy for 4 weeks, twice a week. Be religious about doing it yourself on the other days. My best surgeon told me “walk. Walk. Walk, and then walk some more”. Lose any excess wieght. Strengthen your PELVIC FLOOR. It did wonders for my pain!!! Stay off the opiates. Just my two cents. I’m fused C4-5-6, T2-S1. I have only 4 free vertebrae.
I felt reallllly stupid.
Don’t feel stupid. I just say I can be a klutz....you must have had a really bad fall, though, to tear up previous fusion sites, yikes! 😳