Success rates and trade offs – what are your expectations

[Cheryl]

I never really expected to be back to my old self of running 5 miles a day and pretty intense workouts. Of course that would be ideal. I just hoped for the best and that I wouldn't end up worse.

At this point (5 months post op) my low back is definately better. I have long stretches in the day now where I forget I ever had a low back problem. Prior to surgery I woke up everyday in pain wondering how I would get through the day. However, due to the cervical pain that I developed at one month post op I ended up with a trade off in pain because now I have that same feeling every day all day about my neck.

Everyone asks me would you do it over again if you knew the outcome. No, I can't say that yet. I know I'd be living in limbo wondering if I should have done it and due to that feeling I have no regrets.

For me it was really about taking action. I had done it all and couldn't bear to do nothing. I'm wondering what I'll do about my neck though. I might be able to do nothing this time because I don't want another "trade off" in another part of my spine.

Or Fuzzy I might meet you as a frequent visitor in Germany.

[nomorepain]

6 years and counting, 2 prodiscs in the US Trials 2002.
I also never expected to ever feel as good as i do now, my recovery was ssssslllllloooowwwww, and i mean slow! I do have lifting limitations, my surgeon told me never lift anything over 40-50lbs, and i don't. in fact i limit myself to 30 or 35lbs, as i age i notice thats plenty. As far as other limitations, i don't have any, my quality of life, my mental stability, is now amazing after a life filled with chronic back and leg pain, i still cannot believe how good i do feel, and still sometimes have to pinch myself to see if this is reality or just a dream.......it's been an amazing experience, and things just keep getting better and better as time goes on! like my name states....nomorepain!

[fortitudine]

Okay, so here's my dilemma.My c-spine is a mess. I haven't had surgery. I am 100% fine! NO PROBLEMS. I can do everything I want to as far as my spine is concerned. I feel good. I cycle as much as possible in the summer. I like being able to turn my head and look behind me for traffic.
BUT
My MRI says my c-spine is compressed at at least 2 levels. Docs recommend surgery at at least 2 levels. Probably at least 1-level fusion, maybe more. Apparently there is severe facet arthrosis at one level too.
I was first diagnosed over 4 years ago.I have been watching and waiting. Nothing has happened in the interim. But apparently the films look worse.

I am terrified to have any surgery and end up being left in pain. I had a total knee replacement last year, and while my knee feels way better, I still have lots of pain. I can deal with it because it is a vast improvement over my previous situation.
But ANY pain after neck surgery would be a BAD result for me. And there are no guarantees.WHAT DO I DO?

[dshobbies]

Fortitudine,

I agree that you've got a problem. Common sense dictates that you don't fix something that ain't broke but it is broke, you just have no pain which usually is the guideline.

Would postponing the surgery cause adjacent discs to deteriorate? Would postponing cause nerve damage or some disability? Could an emergency situation develop? Specifically what are the consequences of waiting? Pain is a huge motivator. Without it what is there to be gained from doing surgery now? These are your questions. If there is no consequence and you're not in pain, voila! End of difficult decision. I do suspect that the answer isn't that simple though. Is what might happen a good enough reason to risk surgery? How many doctors have you seen? Do they all agree on the treatment? Do they all agree on the dangers of waiting? Fear is also a huge motivator so until you're satisfied that you have no other alternative perhaps waiting is your best bet.

I hope you get the answers you seek but...
Good luck, Dale

[Maria]

That'd be a difficult call. If it's looking like I'm going to have significant damage (permanent) by waiting that might make me think seriously that I should have the surgery but that would have been before my failed L4 percutaneous discectomy.

Now I'd be hard pressed to do anything without any symptoms and being completely pain free and not limited in any manner in terms of activity.

Again, it's going to depend on the number of surgeons consulted and what they say with regard to actual necessity for surgical intervention (weighted with what I feel like doing now). Is this something that is going to save me from spinal devastation?

I just don't know what I would do...