This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

Just curious. I'm starting to look into my options as far as surgery is considered. Some of you may already know my story, but I'm 28 weeks pregnant and have a badly ruptured L5/S1 disc. I will most likely have a microdiscectomy to repair it, but I know it's inevitable that I will need to have the surgery.

I would REALLY like to avoid spinal fusion if possible--only as a last resort. I'm starting to read up on artificial disc replacement. It seems the success rate is only 50/50, so I'm looking for some anecdotes.

Thanks all!

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I had a spinal fusion . My replacement disc was from a cadaver. I had the same diagnosis as you did. Badly ruptured disc that collapsed on my sciatic nerve.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. It totally saved me 100% from the pain and agony that was daily, as you well know

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I had the microdiscectomy but my disc wasn't ruptured, just herniated.
It totally worked. It was almost instant relief for me. The recovery wasn't bad at all. I was able to be back at work in 2 weeks.
What's going on with me now may or may not be a reinjured disc. If it is reherniated I would gladly do the surgery again.
My pain specialist didn't recommend fusion because she said while it will stabilize your back it doesn't always take away your pain.

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I will most likely wind up having a microdiscectomy. I have heard wonderful things about it, and I am SOOOOO looking forward to being pain-free again someday...

I will be total honest in saying that spinal fusion scares me. I'm not done having children, and I know that fusion will mean general anesthesia when I give birth.

I am looking into artificial disc replacement because I am willing to try that BEFORE having a fusion.

I guess I'm still bitter that I'm going through all this at 28 years old...

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

Posted by MrsRivera

I will most likely wind up having a microdiscectomy. I have heard wonderful things about it, and I am SOOOOO looking forward to being pain-free again someday...

I will be total honest in saying that spinal fusion scares me. I'm not done having children, and I know that fusion will mean general anesthesia when I give birth.

I am looking into artificial disc replacement because I am willing to try that BEFORE having a fusion.

I guess I'm still bitter that I'm going through all this at 28 years old...

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

You know my story but I just wanted to say that a spinal fusion does not necessarily mean general anesthesia. You would have to speak to the anesthesia department. It all depends on the location. I don't know where the cutoff is though.

ETA: I know you are upset but being bitter will get you nowhere. You need your strength for that baby! Try and stay as positive as you can.

Message edited 9/29/2008 9:20:39 PM.

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

My SIL (Armymommytobe) has had multiple spine surgeries, one I know is a fusion. You can FM her as she is an expert on this stuff.



I know how much pain she used to be in, it's terrible.

I hope that the surgery you want works!!!!!!!

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

DH had one on his neck

it was the best thing ever

it took about 4 months for him to get back to his regular self

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

DH had a microdiscectomy last May (2007). He injured himself on the job in 2006 (baggage handler) and it was an awful year for him until he had the surgery. He was in the hospital for about a week in 2006 and they tried giving him injections in his back. It alleviated the pain for a while but, with his job, it was only a temporary cure. He saw a wonderful doctor here in NY and decided to go for the surgery. The pain in his back was too much and it radiated into his legs and he couldn't walk straight. It was horrible.

The surgery went very well. They have you up and moving the next day!!!! As others said, the relief was instant. he felt like a new man. It's been over a year since the surgery and while he is careful with his back at work, he hasn't had any pain or any problems.

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I had a microdiscectomy at Winthrop.
L5/S1 also. Any questions, feel free to FM me. I used Dr. Brisman in Great Neck.

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I am in the middle of going through this now. I am out on sick leave with a line of duty injury. I injured the same part of my back. L5-S1 most of the drs I saw said this is the area that is injured the most. I feel so bad for you. I know the pain is the worst and I am not pregnant. You can only take 1 hour at a time that's all I do. I tried PT and could not get past the first excercise after 2 weeks they had me stop. I spoke to 3 drs and none of then suggest surgery yet. They said the next line of treatment is epidural injections. You can get up to 5-6 over a one year period. My back surgeon I saw yesterday said once you get the injections we can try pt again and this may help. The surgery is usually the last resort and in many cases does not help. I was told by one MD that 65% of people that cant do pt are helped by the epidural injections. I have an consult next week I cant let you know how this goes. Just hang in there I know its rough

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I had PT & and lumbar epidural and the discectomy was the last resort.

I couldn't walk and was on bed rest for nearly 1 month. I had the epidural and wouldn't recommend it for anything. I had a horrible reaction to it. At first, I felt great and within 1 week I had emergency surgery.

The surgery went great, went home the next morning and was in Florida on vacation 10 days later.
I did have PT for a while.

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

I would TOTALLY try chiropractic before opting for surgery. I saw you went for PT, but this is what chiropractors specialize in! I know an amazing chiropractor that specializes in adjusting pregnant women. FM me if you would like further info, GL!

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

Re: This is a long shot: Have any of you had disc replacement surgery on your back?

My sister had a disc replacement last year and is doing great with that disc. The one below it has now started giving her problems. She has had a total of 4 surgeries for her back since 2002. Epidural shots P/t you name it shes done it. The disc replacement they went through her stomach and they cant do the next one because they cant go through the stomach this time because they would hit a main artery so they are waiting for it to be aproved to go through the side and/or back...