Mods, forgive me for asking this here, but is there a back surgeon on board who might be able to tell me what to expect in terms of surgical procedures and recovery times for treatment of "serious herniation" of L3, L4 and L5?
That's the report I got yesterday on an MRI I had done last week.
Boy it would be nice to pass a few waking hours without pain once in a while.
I am 58 and not overweight if that matters.

Bill,

I had the surgery to correct those same herniations Dec. of '09. Of course, no two people or situations are identical, but I can tell you that you can expect it to be a grind. That said, my recovery was not that long. It will largely depend on your outlook, attitude, and determination. Get out and start walking as soon as you feel up to it. Get off the pain meds as soon as possible as they can become as much of a burden as the pain itself.

Walk, walk, and keep on walking! Best of luck to you! You will get past it.

George

Tread lightly with medical advice freely given on the internet.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Tread lightly with medical advice freely given on the internet.

+1

It entirely depends on you, the injury, and the proceedure. Find the local experts and pay for their advice.

Brett

You're right of course about free advice. I'm just more interested in what success rates are these days, and whether long recoveries are the norm they were 20 years ago.

OMG: Could back surgery keep me from shooting my big bores? Now I'm seriously worried.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
OMG: Could back surgery keep me from shooting my big bores? Now I'm seriously worried.

Again, internet info needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but I'm recovering from neck surgery where I had 4 discs removed and the vertebrae fused. One of the questions I asked before the surgery was scheduled was would this prevent me from shooting heavy recoiling, large caliber rifles. The doctor told me that once the bone grafts heal, I will be able to do whatever I feel like doing. Shooting the big rifles won't be a problem. My best advice is to ask your doctor the same question and see what he says. Good luck with your surgery. It's a lot to go through, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

FWIW, my daughter had a procedure on L4 and 5 and is now skiing near her home in Montana. The surgery was two years ago. Each case is specific, but there is hope. Just take it easy and listen to your doctors and always get a second opinion. Not all doctors are created equal, by far.

Bill,
If if turns out that you can't shoot your big bores, you could give them to me and I would give you a shooting report every time I shoot them.
Seriously, I wish you well. I get to have back surgery in the very near future on precisely those same verts. I'm putting it off as long as possible. Waiting for technology to catch up to my injurys.

Not sure I am typical, talk to lots of folks, get a second opinion. Here is my experience.

Mine was L4/L5. When the MRI was posted I could see the problem. The disc was pushing into the nerve making walking almost impossible. The longer the nerve was compromised, the more likely for permanent damage.

There are many possible solutions, I chose the micro surgery rout. I was admitted at 05:00 after an agonizing walk into the hospital. Surgery was 07:30. About 3PM that afternoon the surgeon came into my room and we went for a walk.

Walking on rough ground caused some issues, but after rehab, and a year, I have no back issues. I was 65 at the time, and am looking at 70 now. This spring I cut, split, and stacked 3 cords of oak. Today I dug a trench for a new water pipe, my big bores present no issues and I laugh at the warning signs on Disneyland's Space Mountain with the Grand Kids, a rather violent ride

Just a thought

Find an Local orthopod who hunts and offer him the biggest free kodiak deal in exchange for his fees

On condition that you have to walk with him to get this trophy "pain free"

Win win situation for you and him !

Best of luck Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
You're right of course about free advice. I'm just more interested in what success rates are these days, and whether long recoveries are the norm they were 20 years ago.

I had the surgery on L4,L5 two years ago caused I think by a misspent youth of playing high level rugby and an office job thereafter.

I was gently walking around on the day of the surgery and was able to go back to the office after a month. I was 27 however which may have made a difference but I don't think you'll be out of action for months and months, if that's what you're worried about.

I would pay very close attention to Londonhunter's advice, the man knows his onions.

Bill,

One thing I neglected to mention in my original reply is that there are distinct differences in the way neuro, and ortho surgeons approach the surgery. I chose to use the neuro surgeon as it was much less invasive with no fusion. Avoid fusion if at all possible. I've been through this twice now, and although I do have some bad days occasionaly, in general I'm good to go. Once again, best of luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
OMG: Could back surgery keep me from shooting my big bores? Now I'm seriously worried.

Not the same area of the spine BUT mine was even worse in regards to be able to shoot big bores again.

I had three disks removed from my C-spine 6 years ago. I am fused from C-4 to C-7. I am not going to tell you it was an easy recovery IT SUCKED big time! The first three months were hell.

After a year I was shooting big bores again. Every case is going to be different. I know several guys who've had L-4/5 done and all were back to hunting and shooting pretty quick.

More important than serious bulging discs, is the physical exam and history. If you haven't done them already, and no neuro defecits, probably looking at exercises/physical therapy and/or epidural steroids first.

I had trouble off and on during my 30's. Finally I had an episode in 2000 that I could not shake. My problem was sciatica and I could not stand/walk for long.

My first operation in March of 2001 was like turning off a pain switch. I had a laminectomy and my problem was a herniation at L4, L5. Unfortunately pain came again as soon as I started back to work. Seems sitting for long hours is not good. Had another operation in August. This time I could not get off the floor I hurt so bad. Same procedure. Again, it was like turning off a pain switch.

Pain started coming back again in November and I was looking at long term disability. Had a fusion of l4,L5 and tailbone in Feb 2002. Recovery was longer but it fixed me. I can do most anything I want including shoot big bore rifles and hunt.

As the others have said, consult your physician. And then get a second opinion. Each case is different and what works for some may not work for others.

Caleb: I'm about 10 years into this, have had three MRIs and numerous bouts of PT.
Rac: Glad you finally got it licked!

My father has had 7 surgeries related to fusion of L3/4 and subsequently L4/5. He is at this point disabled, and in constant pain. Why? He trusted one and only one doctor.

If you haven't yet, find specialists (travel to them if you have to), and get at least 2 opinions from the specialists. Find spinal surgeons, not orthopedic surgeons. My father ended up going to MAYO in Minneapolis.

Your quality of life is not something to be trifled with. I lost 20 years of hunting/fishing/hiking/etc with my father.

Since you are asking questions, you are on the right path.

I hope you get this licked, and have a speedy recovery.

Jeremy