I am a current RN student, and love this site for all it has tought me! I have a question about back surgery, and am wondering if anyone is a resident expert about back and leg pain, surgery, etc., either as a nurse or a patient.
My mom has had multiple back surgeries and is being told that she needs to have back fusion to eliminate any of her pain. Have any of you had any experience with back fusion surgery, alternate surgery, bulged discs, etc? I would love to just hear what has / hasn't worked for you, and what the best sites are for research. THANK YOU in advance!!!!
I had a hemi-laminectomy in 1973-I was 23 years old. Seven years later-I herniated the rest of the disc and was in the hospital a month for conservative treatment. When my othopaedic MD wanted to discharge me-in worse shape that I was admitted-I think I went certifiable on him. I requested a consult with a neurologist-and between everybody-decided to do the lam and fusion-L4-5. Both pysicians-orthopaedic and neurologist did the surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room-I did not have pain in my legs any more-but that was back in the days when they log-rolled you for three days-etc., etc, etc. when I was discharged-I was only allowed up three times a day for twenty minutes for the first month-always wore a brace. Then I could gradually increase my OOB time and then I could walk-and I walked everywhere-lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans. I had excellent results from my surgery. I have been able to do everything I want to-currently live in the country and have four horses-have (so far) no problems with arthritis. I owe my good fortune to following the MD's post-operative orders to the letter! i was out of work a total of 10 months. Make sure the physician that will do the surgery is qualified.
I wish everyone out there who has undergone or is looking into undergoing back surgery the best of luck.
Thanks for the info. Always great to hear how people have done since the surgery. It gives me a little more confidence now when I go in to talk with my doc.
Cynthia1950
14 Posts
Hi,
I had a hemi-laminectomy in 1973-I was 23 years old. Seven years later-I herniated the rest of the disc and was in the hospital a month for conservative treatment. When my othopaedic MD wanted to discharge me-in worse shape that I was admitted-I think I went certifiable on him. I requested a consult with a neurologist-and between everybody-decided to do the lam and fusion-L4-5. Both pysicians-orthopaedic and neurologist did the surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room-I did not have pain in my legs any more-but that was back in the days when they log-rolled you for three days-etc., etc, etc. when I was discharged-I was only allowed up three times a day for twenty minutes for the first month-always wore a brace. Then I could gradually increase my OOB time and then I could walk-and I walked everywhere-lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans. I had excellent results from my surgery. I have been able to do everything I want to-currently live in the country and have four horses-have (so far) no problems with arthritis. I owe my good fortune to following the MD's post-operative orders to the letter! i was out of work a total of 10 months. Make sure the physician that will do the surgery is qualified.
I wish everyone out there who has undergone or is looking into undergoing back surgery the best of luck.
Cyndy