For a herniated back disk, is a discectomy or disk replacement surgery better?!
Question: For a herniated back disk, is a discectomy or disk replacement surgery better!?
I'm in early 30's, diagnosed with a significant L5-S1 herniated disk, with left leg sciatica symptoms that hurt all the time and make it very difficult to walk!.!.!.it's been five months now, physical therapy seems to have been ineffective, as well as my first epidural, and it is recommended now that I not get any additional epidurals!. Two weeks ago, could lift leg 1 1/2 feet straight up, now it's about 6 inches!. Only way to get through the day and do some work, is to take percocet with about 3 pain patches on the worst pain areas!. Have my second neurosurgeon appointment shortly, expect a recommendation of ASAP surgery, or latest in two months!. Thoughts appreciatedWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
i would think a disk replacment!.!.!.depending what disk!. L5-S1 tends to take alot of pressure!. your L disks are really big because they bare most of your weight!. If you remove that completley it could put pressure on the others and could cause more problems with the others!.
its also leading to your S1 so thats kind of more your sitting bones, and im no doctor and havent seen much of this (im a nursing student in my clinical rotations) but it would make sense it could affect alot when you sit!.
i wouldnt suggest a discectomy, i would go with the disk replacment!.!.!.Talk to your doctor though!. I just shared my thoughts on it and that L5-S1 area is pretty significant!. if it were something like T3-T4 then maybe!.
hope that helped :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
its also leading to your S1 so thats kind of more your sitting bones, and im no doctor and havent seen much of this (im a nursing student in my clinical rotations) but it would make sense it could affect alot when you sit!.
i wouldnt suggest a discectomy, i would go with the disk replacment!.!.!.Talk to your doctor though!. I just shared my thoughts on it and that L5-S1 area is pretty significant!. if it were something like T3-T4 then maybe!.
hope that helped :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
My 19 year old son went through what you are going through now!. His drug on with physical therapy and three cortizone shots!. We finally opted for the micro discectomy!. The results were nearly instantaniously successful for releaving the pain!. He actually went into surgery 6'1" and was 6'3" that night (no lie he had been hunched over during his last growth spurt)!.
He actually played varsity football a few downs here and there for his senior year this year!. He also made it in a few varisity backetball games but the basketball was harder on him (discomfort) than football so he bailed on that!.
We discussed alternatives but this seamed the best course for him!. He now works out 4-5 days week focused on core!. I had him use our insured physical therapy sessions as educational time learning to care for his back for the rest of his life!.
For what it is worth!.!.!. VWww@Answer-Health@Com
He actually played varsity football a few downs here and there for his senior year this year!. He also made it in a few varisity backetball games but the basketball was harder on him (discomfort) than football so he bailed on that!.
We discussed alternatives but this seamed the best course for him!. He now works out 4-5 days week focused on core!. I had him use our insured physical therapy sessions as educational time learning to care for his back for the rest of his life!.
For what it is worth!.!.!. VWww@Answer-Health@Com