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Spinal Stenosis?
Question : Spinal Stenosis?
Has anyone out there been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis? And if so, has anyone ‘recently’ undergone a Spinal Fusion surgery? I am having my surgery this upcoming Monday (July 16, 2007) and I have to admit I am very nervous to say the least. If anyone has recently been through this surgery, I would appreciate your details, feedback and overall opinion as to what you have been through. Thanks!
(spinal stenosis)
Best answer:
No, but what I can say is not to have surgery unless everything else (and I mean everything) has been tried! Get another doctor idea (out of the area) even get two opinions out of the area of each other, travel! So many things can go wrong after a surgery (infection), and once bone is shaved and stuff done you cannot undue shaved bone!
It is a narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal cord and nerves run. Compression of the nerves caused by spinal stenosis can lead not only to pain, but also to numbness in the legs and the loss of bladder and/or bowel control.
I think I have that memorized! LOL
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/Lumbar-Spinal-Stenosis-Topic-Overview
I wish you all the best with the upcoming back fusion. It’s definitely hard to go thru, but You may find it is the best thing.
Back pain often ends with surgery- of course YES, there is the surgical pain, but all of that miserable pain you felt -will hopefully be relieved with the fusion!
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20070530/back-pain-often-ends-without-surgery
PLEASE follow everything they say in Physical Therapy- and afterwards… you will be that much better for it. And if I may — in the future if you are extremely miserable I would like to tell you that there is an option to control your pain — ok
It is called a spinal column stimulator and an amazing little device!! i KEEP IT ON 24/7 i KNOW YOU DIDNT NEED that info, BUT I thought I would help ease the depression that often follows- people think that back pain is forever and this little device has made it so that it you can look forward to relief. So either way– You should be feeling wonderful soon.
I cannot speak about my experience of a fusion- experience. But I know that there are more successes then failures from this surgery—
I had 6 others– I am only 43 and I dont want a fusion yet- I am not ready to be that stiff. That is a big undertaking and once it is fused it is in place! I am content and as long as things are “tolerable” I am putting it off as long as possible-
was a fusion the only option?