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Having Lumbar S1 L5 surgery February and No pain last 2 months
I have had 4 spine surgeries. 3 were successful for 12 years each and the 4th one worked, but then the sciatic came back full fury 8 months later. That was almost 4 years ago and I have been in Level 7-10 pain since then. I went to a renowned surgeon in July and the CT and MRI showed that the original fusion, S1/L5, from 33 yrs ago came apart, which he feels is the problem with the extreme pain. He set up surgery for 11/20, but he canceled it as the end of October as I ended up in the hospital with an accute attact of diviticulitous and would not operate until the infection was gone. Now here is my question to all of you out there. In November I started to get massages, which I do not know if it has anything to do with it, but my pain level is 0-2 at the most. So after 2 1/5 months of no pain, I went to the surgeon today and he said if I have no pain I should wait till it starts again and then reschedule the surgery. That is very logical, but I have had this happen before and then the sciatic returns 10 fold. Based on this, SHOULD I CANCEL THE SURGERY OR GET IT DONE BECAUSE WITH ME HISTORY OF PAIN NORMALLY COMES BACK.
PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE.
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@cinmarc Welcome to Connect. Spine surgery is always a big decision. You'll also need to take into account your age and general health, because that can disqualify a person for major surgery if the surgeon worries about your ability to heal. You have a window of opportunity until a surgeon decides that you are too frail to expect a good result, and that isn't always easy to define.
I can understand how massages help because it can release tight tissue that is causing pain. You might like to look at this discussion about Myofascial Release for information.
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
If you were to have surgery, that creates scar tissue that over time typically gets tight and can generate pain. If you can release all the tight muscles, you can move better and function better, and that can reduce pain.
No one can advise your decision, that must be made by you and your surgical team. Sharing of personal experience and information certainly does help in the decision making process.
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3 Reactionscinmarc, it is marvelous that the massage is taking the pain down. If your fusion "came apart" you might have migrating hardware that would be best removed because then nothing would be holding the hardware steady even if the fusion is holding. While considering your options can you have a second opinion on the CT and MRI.
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2 ReactionsI agree. Both the Ct and MRI showed the same. My wife reminded me that I have had periods before with no pain and when I tell her, she says I am jinxing myself. She is always right and a week later my pain is back at levels 7-10. In other words, she wants me to have the surgery now instead of putting it off knowing it definitely will be back.
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1 Reaction@cinmarc
I have had 2 spine surgeries and may need a third soon. If I had loose hardware, I would want it removed. It can move and irritate nerves. The massage is relaxing the muscles and loosening the scar tissue around the area and this is temporary relief. I always like to deal with the source of the problem. A 2nd or third opinion may help you make your decision. I know of others with loose hardware who ended up with a pain stimulator and it is helping them manage pain. Surgeons have not wanted to remove and replace his hardware due to his overall health. Good luck making your decision.
Good Morning Dlydailyhope,
How many times have you said the pain has returned after a successful bout of surgery? Possibly give it another month. I am wondering if your body is responding to the massage, but after a bit, it will aggravate you, and return to the painful state. Sort of like a drug, sometimes you take a break from a medication to allow your body to rid of the drug, as you have become accustomed to it, and it isn't preforming as well as in the past.
How about a second surgical opinion?
After 4 surgeries and handling the post op recovery, that I have always had no issues other than the norm. My concern is if I wait till the pain returns, then I will kick myself for not having had the surgery 2/20. For now I have no pain and wish it would last the rest of my life, but I know that would never be.
As far as second opinion, others agree to have the surgery. But to ask a surgeon if I should wait, is still a personal decision they cannot make. Only me.
I just had back surgery at the end of August for the first time I put the Hospital For Special Surgery. I can’t recommend my son in math. He is pretty famous. His name is Dr..Cammisa yeah is in charge of all the New York sports teams that I saw at work and didn’t know I had a severe spinal I had to do anterior & posterior lumbar fusion spinal stenosis & spondylolisthesis L4-5
Pardon the insert about my son & math - that inserted itself …good for a laugh.. but I really wanted to say was that to doctor said I had to have it immediately because although I was having severe pain at the time originally I had no idea and did not have any pain and they said that if I didn’t do it immediately severe damage
You know …you got this Get the surgery if & when you trust you need it
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1 ReactionI have not been able to start physical therapy yet for back since right now not driving and about to get ankle & rt foot ligament surgery…I spoke with physical therapy team today & they said call back Monday. So has everyone done physical therapy with back?