Lumbar Spinal Stenosis---surgery questions

@northstar25
I can empathize. I have the same as you and had surgery to decompress and fuse L3-L5. My surgery helped me reduce back pain and weakness/numbness down to my feet. My L4 was also slipping over L5 and this level was totally blocked (causing neurogenic claudication).

For my surgery, they went through the back only. They had to remove discs, cut away arthritic bone that was compressing my spinal cord and nerve roots, put in disc spacers and hardware. It was a really painful surgery and 3-6+ month recovery (takes a full year to see the full effect of surgery and reduction of symptoms). I am in my mid 50s and had 2 cervical spine ACDF surgeries and 1 lumbar open surgery.

Did they say why they would go through your stomach and back and why they couldn’t just go through your back? You should get a couple more opinions from reputable and highly reviewed/rated surgeons before picking one. My 4th orthopedic spine specialist surgeon is who I chose to do all 3 surgeries.

How long have you been suffering? Did you try physical therapy and steroid injections?

I have severe L4/5 stenosis. I have avoided surgery and cleared up my sciatica symptoms by following the Gokhale Primal Posture Method.

Thank you for your comment! I am 72 in a couple weeks. I am going to ask why they have to go through my stomach first---I haven't been able to see on youtube or other places where they actually do this. Seems risky to me. I did 2 cortisone injections which worked for a few weeks--one at end of March and the other June 18. Also did Physical Therapy where the guy gave me some exercises to do, which I try to do as much as my back pain will allow. Also doing Advil in am & pm, and wear an 'ice belt' when I go to bed. I have arthritis which doesn't help, and the surgery won't help that. This condition has been going on for some time, but getting worse since late last year. Thought it was just sciatica, but then had the MRI and that's when they discovered the spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and a vertebrae that was slipped forward. Yes, I am trying to get 2nd opinion, primarily from Mayo in Rochester as that's where I was born and still have a brother there :). Evidently there is a 'triage system' they use there to review one's medical records, and then schedule appointments. Would like to get an appt asap. The clinic where I may have to get the surgery done is close by my home but smaller, and I just don't know----this is a serious surgery and I can't afford to have any mistakes!!

I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. I’ve had two extensive Lumbar Spine Laminectomies and Fusions, plus spacers and rods. I only have one Lumbar disc yet to be operated on, plus a lot more up my spine, but you get the point.

The first thing I would tell you is that I’ve interviewed orthopoedic surgeons and neurosurgeons for my surgeries and I would always choose a highly-regarded neurosurgeon over a highly regarded orthopoedic surgeons. There are two reasons for this: 1) Am orthopoedic surgeons is more highly trained in matters pertaining to your spinal chord and central nervous system - where there is the most risk in an operation on your spine, and 2). A neurosurgeon has much more extensive and intricate training. If a neurosurgeon, heart surgeon and orthopedic surgeon are in an operating room together, the neurosurgeon is always the leader for just this reason.

Next, I’d want to know if your lumbar spine pain is affecting the functioning of your arms, legs, or other parts of your body outside of your spine. My neurosurgeon decided to operate on me the first time because my right leg/hip wasn’t functioning and made if difficult to impossible to walk, depending on the day. My second surgery took place only after my right leg and hip made had me limping severely and my right glut was in non-stop spasm. I’m not a doctor, but I do know that my neurosurgeon (and many others) do not operate on people with back pain alone. (I believe one-third of adults in the US report back pain.). I’d still see a neurologist associated with a practice that includes one, or more neurosurgeons. My bet is, though, that they’ll prescribe alternate, non-surgical forms of treatment.

One more note: please be cautious about neurologists, surgeons, or pain management doctors who prescribe opioid-based pain meds any more than short-term (30-60 days). Even if you’re awaiting surgery, opt for non-opioid spinal injections first. They can be remarkably helpful.

Hope this helps! Good luck!