Prolapsed disc

[unuseincent]

Hi

I am a 38 year old mum of 3 girls. A bit overweight but fairly active.

I have been suffering from a prolapsed disc, which was eventually diagnosed in October 2009. I have had an MRI scan and have now been referred for surgery.
The pain at the beginning was excruciating. I still get pain but not as severe, my left foot is still numb and I have no reflex in my ankle.
The disc affected is L5/S1. The consultant referred me for surgery because of the continued weakness in my leg and foot, however the pain is now almost non existant. I used to get pain when I moved but now find sitting the most painful activity!!
Has anyone had surgery for the same symptoms?? I would love to hear from you with any advice/comments.
Thank you.

 

[pollyfashion100]

If you have surgery in 4 months from start of your first symptoms - you have 90% chance of long-term relief (according to studies).

What type of treatment was recommended for you, what type of surgery? Who recommended it?

If you had at least 3 weeks of physical therapy and exercises, that's it. You need to see a qualified spine surgeon.

 

[Jourdan]

As these problems progress, the pain can actually improve, whilst other aspects of the problem continue to get worse. Hence, even while the patient feels better, from a clinical point of view the degree of motor deficit is more significant than pain in terms of gauging the severity of the problem.

As you still have both sensory loss and possible motor loss, it would still be wise to heed the surgeon's opinion. You may get a referrral to an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, for this kind of problem most people prefer a neurosurgeon.

 

[YorkiiTorii]

This is really not important, it must be spinal surgeon, person who dedicated his life to treating bad spines. It is not important if he is neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

World's best spine surgeons are indeed orthopedic.

 

[Envy Is My God]

Fair enough! Far be it from me to judge a book by its cover!

 

[not a top con & proud]

Hi Sally
You seem to be going through the same symptoms that I experienced myself. Difference being, I am 48 and did have the discectomy op in Dec just gone.
I had two MRI scans, unbearable pain and numbness in some of my toes/foot which started about 9 months ago. Then all of a sudden the symptoms almost disappeared?
Six months down the line (and what happened I do not know, I could have turned over in bed the wrong way or twisted something getting out of the car - who knows) But everything came back with a vengeance. I could not move, and the massive amounts of morphine I was given, along with all the other pain killers could not shift the pain.
It is a very hard decision, wether to have the surgery or not?
Nobody wants anyone cutting you open near your spinal cord - But believe me, when it gets to that stage (and i suspect it might somewhere down the line) you will be begging for the surgery.
My advice for what it is worth is don't wait, plus the nerves that the prolapse is pressing on can get more damaged the longer you leave it.
I only have mild sciatic pain now, and as for the numb foot - 10 days or so after surgery it was feeling like I had had my foot in an ice block for months and all of a suden it was de-frosting 'tingling' and coming back to life.
Hope this helps in some way Sally?
All the best for the future.

 

[Comments247]

Hi Sally/ All,

Strangely I am in exactly the same positionj as you, my symptoms and diagnosis are a carbon copy and my MRI shows a L5/S1 prolapse. I have immersed my self in research (this forum is excellent) and spoken to/ met some very informed professionals. The spinal neurosurgeon I met (a very highly regarded London doc) is keen to operate asap. The decision has to come from you, but I am sure you are also nervous about goin under the knife for such an big procedure. The main worry for me (and you i'm sure) is that the lack of relflex and mobility in the foot, this and acute numbness is a big red flag to medical professionals, especially as there is risk of cauda equina. I want to get this back asap before any more long term damage is done and I so far see the only route of this happening to be via surgery.

It is a real ordeal and hope what ever decision you make it is all turns out well for you.

BoopBoop also gives good advice, thanks for that post!

 

[daniel vanderhoof]

I am sorry to say, that I have to disagree with you on the above point Keano.

Within the NHS, Spinal Surgical procedures are carried out, either by Orthopaedic Surgeons or Neurosurgeons, they 'carve up' the work for themselves! Very rarely, do you see an 'out & out' Specialist Spinal Surgeon, carrying out spinal surgery and spinal surgery alone.
I've never heard of any during my research.

As for the private sector, their Spinal Surgeons are 'usually' the same people who work in the NHS, doing pretty much the same job, the same way, and usually with the same old poor clinical outcomes for the patients. As a result, paying for your surgery, dosen't guarantee better results!

For 3 Years, I was treated by Orthopaeds, throughout that time I was mis-diagnosed, miss-treated and made worse by their efforts. My spinal issues involved complex neurological pathway impingements.
The Orthopaeds that dealt with me, did not seem to understand the way that pain was manifesting itself, nor how any of the biomechanical actions worked. I will be seeing I Neurosurgeon next, I will let you know how I faired after my consultaion.

I urge people to research their prospective Spinal Surgeons and their previous work thoroughly, ask family and friends who have had spinal operations carried out by those Surgeons, and base your decision on facts.

Best wishes


SPINELF

 

[Shafagh H]

I am not sure how exactly you disagree with me. That was not my opinion, that was a fact.

Current world best spinal surgeons are Martin Knight, Thomas Hoogland, Anthony Yeung and Sang-Ho Lee. This is not my opinion, this is result for their hard work around the world by performing surgeries and educating surgeons (neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons) around the world.

I've mentioned 4 names. Of them four, three are orthopedic.

And I will repeat again, I am not reflecting to UK situation. I am speaking globally.

P.S.
My spinal surgeon is also neurosurgeon.

 

[gymnast2014]

My disagreement is with your statement,
Quote: (World's best spine surgeons are indeed orthopedic.)

I feel that this may mis-lead some fellow back pain sufferers and cause them to reduce their area of research by discounting Spinal Surgeons from a Neurosurgical background. I also have reasons to question that statement given my stated personal experiences below. Fellow sufferers should be encouraged to research from as many sources as possible. They, I'm sure, will then arrive at pretty much the same conclusions that you make regarding the pioneers of MISS.

I take your point regarding the global perspective, and would add that apart from Mr. Knight (operating in the UK) there are also very experienced MISS Surgeons in the US who operate almost solely on spinal issues and spinal issues alone, on a day to day basis.
Dr. Bonati
Dr. Moffatt
Dr. St. Louis
Dr. Perry
Dr. Burns
Dr. Mork
These MISS Surgeons are from a mixure of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical backgrounds.

I would agree with you, that Mr. Knight is a world recognised pioneer in MISS and having been treated by him myself, I know, first hand, how safe and effective these treatments are, in comparison to standard open back spine surgery.

I hope that clarifies.

All the best



SPINELF

 

[QQq!]

It seems extraordinarily bold to list the best anything in the world in strict order and say this is a 'fact'. I'd say 'best' means different things to different people at different times, dependent on context, I think if you're going to offer such a high degree of certainty then you need to say exactly to what standards you have measured this 'fact'.

 

[English And Proud]

You are right.

Let me be more precise. This people I mentioned are innovators in field of spine surgery. Their scientific articles, surgery success rates, congress programs, new technologies they use - this are things that I wanted to note.

Anyway, we are already off-topic. This is about prolapsed disc

 

[SecuritySupportAV]

Hi Keano

Could you tell me where you have got the success rates from for Mr Knight as I have been trying to find out more about the results of the procedures he carries out, with no success.

Thanks

Maz

 

[bridgeee]

Go to his website (Spinal-Foundation). Under "Available Techniques".

 

[Sarai Reyes]

Hiya Mad, this is what you want:
1) www.spinal-foundation.org
2) Disorders & treatments.
3) Frequently asked questions.
4) Question 14.
5) Click on (document) link.

Also read FAQ's 1 - 13 for further info Mad.

Happy reading!!

Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[Gooner]

Have a look at these sites as well Mad.

www.bonati.com
www.laserspineinstitute.com
www.microspine.com
www.zerospinepain.com
www.spinecenter.com
www.sdspineinstitute.com
and
You tube MDTV MISS

The UK follows America in almost everything, this is what the future will hold, mark my words!

Best wishes


SPINELF