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Are the statistics accurate?

Posted by phxratt1 @phxratt1, Jul 28 1:00pm

I've had 3 back surgeries, 2 lumbar microdiscectomies, and a lumbar fusion. I've read that after having your first back surgery, the chances of success for the 2nd one is about 30%, and for the 3rd surgery, only 15%. In my case, I would have to say my first one 10 years ago was successful, but the next 2 were not, so I fit into those statistics. Does anyone else have a similar experience?

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flyjim | @flyjim | Jul 29 2:44pm

Forget the surgeries and ask your surgeon for a spinal stimulator implant. It will change your life, relieving at minimum 50%. My lower back is decimated and it’s provided at least 80% relief.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Aug 6 12:34pm

As we age our bodies breakdown and the vast majority of people over 50 have bulging vertebral discs. Some have symptoms while others do not. The more surgeries you have the more scar tissue builds up and the potential for problems regarding scar tissue. As a retired nurse who has a bad back and chronic pain I’ve always felt that after the operation the rest was on me. I injured my back in 1988, had lumbar spine fusion in 1990 and just now I’m receiving steroid injections in my upper and lower back. I’m in pretty good shape and my most recent x-rays showed multiple vertebral disc bulges but I have no excessive pain. I’m on buprenorphine patch every 7 days and I use THC and CBD 15mg three times a day and hardly use my Percocet. I do hope you have an exercise regime to keep yourself limber. I walk 2 miles daily and stretch twice a day. No more surgery for me.

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phxratt1 | @phxratt1 | Aug 6 2:24pm
In reply to @jenatsky "As we age our bodies breakdown and the vast majority of people over 50 have bulging..." + (show)
Profile picture for jenatsky @jenatsky

As we age our bodies breakdown and the vast majority of people over 50 have bulging vertebral discs. Some have symptoms while others do not. The more surgeries you have the more scar tissue builds up and the potential for problems regarding scar tissue. As a retired nurse who has a bad back and chronic pain I’ve always felt that after the operation the rest was on me. I injured my back in 1988, had lumbar spine fusion in 1990 and just now I’m receiving steroid injections in my upper and lower back. I’m in pretty good shape and my most recent x-rays showed multiple vertebral disc bulges but I have no excessive pain. I’m on buprenorphine patch every 7 days and I use THC and CBD 15mg three times a day and hardly use my Percocet. I do hope you have an exercise regime to keep yourself limber. I walk 2 miles daily and stretch twice a day. No more surgery for me.

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Wow, your comments give me hope, knowing there are other options for pain..
Thanks. I just wish I had known about those statistics before my 2nd and 3rd surgeries. Thanks again.

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