Background: I've had somewhat debilitating back pain for about 10 years. Typically, I can get around fairly well for short periods of time, but I can't jog for any distance, can't pick up my grandkids, can't sit in a chair like a normal person for any length of time, can stand or walk for more than an hour without having to lie down. I drive 12 miles to work every day, but my wife drives if we go anywhere together, while I take the passenger seat and recline as much as possible.
I've been seen by a well-respected neurosurgeon who said he saw nothing he could fix. He recommended me a pain management center. Last October I began receiving lumbar epidural steroid injections. Two injections, one week apart. The first series alleviated about 75% of my pain, and seemed like a miracle, at the time and lasted about 2 months. Unfortunately, I've had two more series of injections, each series less effective than the last.
So, I just went to another doc who says he sees the problem and wants to fuse L4/L5. Says this surgery has about an 80% chance of being "effective". For the surgery he could go in through the back, or could go in through the front (allows them to make the strongest fusion). He says I should be able to return to my desk job after about 3 weeks.
My question is for those who have faced a similar situation. Did you decline the surgery? Did you have an L4/L5 fusion? What was your experience?
Thanks for any thoughts you can share.
I've been seen by a well-respected neurosurgeon who said he saw nothing he could fix. He recommended me a pain management center. Last October I began receiving lumbar epidural steroid injections. Two injections, one week apart. The first series alleviated about 75% of my pain, and seemed like a miracle, at the time and lasted about 2 months. Unfortunately, I've had two more series of injections, each series less effective than the last.
So, I just went to another doc who says he sees the problem and wants to fuse L4/L5. Says this surgery has about an 80% chance of being "effective". For the surgery he could go in through the back, or could go in through the front (allows them to make the strongest fusion). He says I should be able to return to my desk job after about 3 weeks.
My question is for those who have faced a similar situation. Did you decline the surgery? Did you have an L4/L5 fusion? What was your experience?
Thanks for any thoughts you can share.
) My dad also had the cervical fusion as well, with no ill effects.
