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What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Dec 15, 2024 | Replies (193)Comment receiving replies
I just saw an orthopedic spine surgeon who is recommending surgery if injections are unsuccessful. It is directly related to the collapse of my L4-5 disc. The last doctor is saw over a year ago only advocated conservative measures which I do religiously, but have had no success in relieving pain symptoms. This includes PT (over a year); daily HEP program; daily walks; myofacsial release therapy weekly; and ice/heat daily. The conservative doctor continues to not advocate for any further interventions even though pain increases; and numbness in legs has begun. I am going to move ahead with an injection and research his idea about surgery. He states the procedure would only involve this disc area. If anyone has had this procedure or ideas, I would greatly appreciate your input. Have as good an evening as you can.
Replies to "I just saw an orthopedic spine surgeon who is recommending surgery if injections are unsuccessful. It..."
Hi, first, I’m sorry for the pain that your experiencing. Before proceeding with surgery on the lumbar spine; L4-L5; make sure to see a neurologist, and get a EMG
( electromyogram ).. if you’re experiencing numbness, you can have compression on the nerve, which if severe, can cause paralysis . See Mayo’s page on Peripheral neuropathy.
I had my done, and the neurologist said, “ok, we need to operate… Tomorrow, or you may never walk again” now that was a long time ago, and the best thing I could offer is to do your due diligence. Take care of yourself and stay active!! 🙏🙏🙏
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@migizii It would be advantageous to get several surgical opinions from different doctors. Recovery from lumbar surgery is more difficult than the cervical surgery I had because it is bearing a lot of your body weight through the area. Once done, it can't be undone, and some patients have more pain after surgery. Ask a lot of questions in detail when you are considering surgery. There are options for fusions and artificial discs. Other patients mention devices applied to the outside of the spine that essentially act like a jack to separate the vertebrae instead of removing a collapsed disc. I don't have experience with that as I had a cervical fusion.