Help, herniated T6/T7

[tedk]

I'm an athletic man in my early 40's.

I experienced mid-back back pain and radial neuropathy down my legs for about 8 years, culminating in an acute event (popping sound while doing a chin-up) in March of 2010. I was diagnosed with a herniation at T6-T7 that was impinging slightly, but noticeably, on the spinal cord, as well as a severe herniation at C3-C4 (which I'd known about since about 2000)

Dr. Pennings of the Spine Center, UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA first did an ACDF with a cage on the C3-C4 joint in July 2010. The committee at this teaching hospital felt that a) the C3-C4 degeneration was life-threatening and b) might also address the lower-body neuropathy, so they did this one first.

The ACDF addressed the neuropathy in my arms and upper body, but did not change the symptoms in my lower torso and legs (weakness, lack of coordination, numbness/heat).

11 days ago I finally had XLIF surgery to address T6-T7. It seems to have improved my symptoms, but I'm still feeling things out a bit. The surgery was done through an 8.5cm (3.25 inch) incision on my right side. Dr. Pennings cut a section out of a rib and had the anesthesiologist partially deflate my right lung to reduce the possibility of injuring it as he worked toward the spine. He cut some bone away for access (don't exactly know this detail) and then cut away the offending part of of the disc, thereby decompressing the spinal cord.

Surgery took about 4 hours in total. My lung reinflated successfully with the help of a negative pressure chest tube inserted into the pleural space for about 5 hours post-op, and I went home the following day due to the benefits of this minimally-invasive technique. Per Dr. Pennings, his colleagues were amazed that I didn't need to spend several days in the ICU, much less get discharged the following day! I'm fortunate to be able to work from home, so my total time out of work was 3 business days.

I hadn't needed any narcotics following the ACDF last year (just acetaminophen), but this time has been different. The cut rib and the pain of the lung having reinflated into its usual space has been significant. It was about 8 days post-op before I could go through the night without medication and then another couple of days before I could sleep through the night without waking. The WORST is when I cough or sneeze. The pain literally brings me to my knees.

I understand this is not unusual given the inevitable damage to the nerves that run along the ribs, but I'm hopeful that it will fade with time (it sometimes doesn't!!) The consulting thoracic surgeon also said that the rib will/should grow back together and reconnect... I'm still trying to get details on how best to encourage this. I expect to be back on my motorbike and back on the basketball court by the first week in May!

[tedk]

My prior post was not intended to usurp newhere's thread, but I wanted to share my current experience with a T6-T7 herniated as well.

[newhere]

Originally Posted by tedk

My prior post was not intended to usurp newhere's thread, but I wanted to share my current experience with a T6-T7 herniated as well.

its good to hear you storry. doesent mather if its on my thread,but it will be good also to open yours
can you tell me did you go to discography before surgery or the herniation(big???) was clearly visible on MRI?
tnx

[jsewell]

Tedk
HOme in one day , you are really pushing it. I had VATS procedure to remove some painful thoracic discs. I did have a severe complication of the surgery where the surgeon damaged the phrenic nerve that controls the diaphram muscle, so my stay was long.
But any time the chest is entered it is major surgery. Please take meds if you need them, and don't head to your motorbike in the beginning of May. I have had lots of surgery and used to rush back to trail running, my love, but these last 3 have me slowed down. I want things to heal properly. sorry for the lecture.
I had lung surgery a few months after the vats, and my ribs hurt for like 6 months, but better all the time. now my side seems to hurt when i yawn , possibly scar tissue. I did rush back into it just to prove to myself that i could still be athletic with severe lung damage so i see where you are coming from.
be careful
judy

newhere
how are you doing? did you get the inversion table yet? any more happening with your thoracic problem? How about depression? Is it under control? I worry about you like you are my own son. I do have a 25 year old son and that is why i would hate for this pain to be happening to him as i do not like it happening to you
judy

[newhere]

Im on the same spot all the time. i get my inversion table,fut not using it very offten because my lower back hurt so much vhen i invert..
will go to Bonn where Mark goes to have discography.
my depression..hm...we can talk realy alot about this. at my age,depression is big...i take some antidpressants.
thank you for carring
keep finger crossed for my low back surgery soon...
all the best
P.S. How are you now?

[jsewell]

I forgot the date or never knew of your lower back surgery. I hope this helps you in that area and takes away all the pain.
i'm glad you are having a discography again. This one better work. I'm sure Mark is sending you to a good doctor and all will be fine.

The depression will clear up when you get rid of this pain and can begin to live to the fullest once again. Soon

I am dealing with lower back pain now, i've had 2 sets of epidural injections 1 month apart. I'm not sure if this one has helped yet, the first set did nothing. Besides stenosis i'm not sure what is going on in my lower back all the attention has been on my thoracic and cervical spine lately. Also looking at surgery to try to fix the nerve that DrRegan damaged that has made it hard for me to breathe since his surgery.

keep me posted about your dates so i can think of you
judy

[newhere]

what is worse?
pre-op thoracic pain or now this breathing issue???

[longroadahead]

I had an inversion table for a couple of months but didn't do anything pain relief wise and took up a lot of room. Had a hard time selling it as well.

I don't think this would cure a disc but it is probably worth a try. Would pick up a used one if this is possible to give it a try first.

[dshobbies]

tedk,

Perhaps you can start a new thread - the fact that you're 11 days post-op and feeling as good as you do is fantastic.

However, regardless of your 1 day discharge, this sounds like a pretty invasive surgery and pain goes along with it. I wouldn't push getting ready to be back to yourself by May as rushing and pushing yourself is counter-productive. When dealing with your spine, taking is slow is the best way to go.

I must also say and I don't really know why but it almost seems like taking it slow is not in your genes! Just a feeling I get

Good luck to you, Dale