Bob Gibson
Member
- Messages
- 11,481
- Location
- Merrimack, New Hampshire
Long story short...I've been seeing an Orthopedic surgeon for almost a year because of my back problem. I have Spondylososthesis and spinal stenosis. The pain in my legs seems to be getting worse instead of better. I go to PT twice a week, I've had the series of spinal shots as well as oral steriods and nothing has helped. I also refuse to take anything stronger than asprin. The Orthopedic Dr. says to give it another year because 80% of the cases he has seen eventually get better. I was getting tired of his theory so I made an appointment with a Neurologist for a second opinion. I saw him last week and after he reviewed my xrays and mri he said the only solution in my case was to have spinal fusion.
Obviously this scares me quite a bit. I've heard horror story after horror story about these operations that have gone wrong. I also don't want to be out of the shop for 4 or 5 months while recovering.
Has anyone here had spinal fusion? Was it successful? how long was the recovery? The Neurologist said that his method is typically a little less invasive than the orthopedic method.
Having COPD also makes me a little nervous about making it through the operation. (I tend to worry a lot)
I'm seeing him again on Thursaday. This time the wife is coming along to ask the questions that I always forget and to possibly set the date for the procedure.
Obviously this scares me quite a bit. I've heard horror story after horror story about these operations that have gone wrong. I also don't want to be out of the shop for 4 or 5 months while recovering.
Has anyone here had spinal fusion? Was it successful? how long was the recovery? The Neurologist said that his method is typically a little less invasive than the orthopedic method.
Having COPD also makes me a little nervous about making it through the operation. (I tend to worry a lot)
I'm seeing him again on Thursaday. This time the wife is coming along to ask the questions that I always forget and to possibly set the date for the procedure.