Back problem has me out of commission...

[Jax]

Thanks again.
Lilla

Wow! You are SO totally ahead of the game! That is just fabulous!

There are many veterans (where I work) that just take as gospel whatever the doctor says. You and I are on the same medication regime, I see.

I am sad to see that your issue affects your work . . . I don't have that pressure, Thank God, and wish you all the best in making your decision.

 

[SelkieDVM]

Well I got my MRI (covered this time) and it showed a high grade spinal stenosis due to spur disk protrusion at C6-7. At the followup with the orthopedist we decided that we will try up to two steroid injections at the nerve, then consider surgery if those don't work. He said that in my case they would tend to make more aggressive treatment recommendations due to the neuro deficits, the more severe nature of the lesion, and the fact that decompressive surgery of the cervical spine has a generally much higher success rate than for lumbar cases.

I got the first injection yesterday and really it was not that bad. Now I'm just waiting for it to kick in, which might take 3-5 days. I still can't function without high doses of NSAIDs and narcotics at night. It would be delightful if the steroids injections work, but I'm ready for surgery if they don't. I'll still get that second opinion though, but I guess the thought of surgery just doesn't make me that nervous.

 

[drbill]

Turning the wrong way in bed seems to have disastrous results. My back has been tweaked for three days since I twisted the "wrong" way getting out of bed for another cup of coffee. Hopefully mine is minor and will work its way back without any drastic medical intervention.

 

[Jax]

Well I got my MRI (covered this time) and it showed a high grade spinal stenosis due to spur disk protrusion at C6-7. At the followup with the orthopedist we decided that we will try up to two steroid injections at the nerve, then consider surgery if those don't work. He said that in my case they would tend to make more aggressive treatment recommendations due to the neuro deficits, the more severe nature of the lesion, and the fact that decompressive surgery of the cervical spine has a generally much higher success rate than for lumbar cases.

I got the first injection yesterday and really it was not that bad. Now I'm just waiting for it to kick in, which might take 3-5 days. I still can't function without high doses of NSAIDs and narcotics at night. It would be delightful if the steroids injections work, but I'm ready for surgery if they don't. I'll still get that second opinion though, but I guess the thought of surgery just doesn't make me that nervous.

Wow! Good luck . . . will the surgery be orthoscopic?

 

[Jax]

Turning the wrong way in bed seems to have disastrous results. My back has been tweaked for three days since I twisted the "wrong" way getting out of bed for another cup of coffee. Hopefully mine is minor and will work its way back without any drastic medical intervention.

in the FWIW dept: My greatest regret was that I didn't pursue full medical information with all this when I was a WHOLE lot younger . . . . I was "too tough", the "tweak must have been because I wasn't excercising right", "it's just part of life", etc.

By the time I did get the full workup, my discs were beyond repair. Period.

I'm blessed with the mobility and flexibility I do have, but don't know what the future holds. Maybe you might want to get that looked at.

 

[h2odragon1]

June 6 2009 I had a back pain that I had to leave work. 1st ER gave me a shot, sent me home.
June 7 2009 unable to sleep, unable to stand or sit 2nd ER gave me a shot tried to send me home, but kept me. An MRI revealed L4-5 and L5-S1 discs pressing on the left nerve root. Sent home June 9 with physical therapy orders.
July 17 no change! Finnally got order for pain consult. They took and gave me a spinal shot that day! Great relief next day, but received a second shot 2 weeks later. Even more relief.
I was able to return to work Sept 2009, but they are only letting me work 1-2 days a week. Needless to say, I haven't been in the water since May 30 2009.
My back is still not 100%, but it's around 95%. I'm not going to push it, and will try to put a tank on by back next spring.
Good luck to all with back pain.
DON'T PUSH IT!!

 

[SelkieDVM]

Turning the wrong way in bed seems to have disastrous results. My back has been tweaked for three days since I twisted the "wrong" way getting out of bed for another cup of coffee. Hopefully mine is minor and will work its way back without any drastic medical intervention.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[SelkieDVM]

Wow! Good luck . . . will the surgery be orthoscopic?

Yes, I think so. The incision through the front of the the throat should only be about an inch or so long I'm told. After cleaning up the disk material they'll fuse the vertebrae with a bone graft and plate. It might result in a slightly decreased range of motion, but fortunately most of the motion in the neck comes from the higher vertebrae. Hopefully I'll still be able to stay in horizontal trim!

I once had that "tough it out and drive on with the mission" attitude of the young, too, and have a knarly knee to show for it. Not sure when things changed (I'm resisting the urge to use a three letter word that begins with "o"). Thanks for your kind thoughts.

 

[SelkieDVM]

Good luck to all with back pain. DON'T PUSH IT!!

Thanks. I'm planning to take it slow. If I'm ever going to strap on doubles again I think I have too. Good luck to you, as well.

 

[adurso]

Yes, I think so. The incision through the front of the the throat should only be about an inch or so long I'm told. After cleaning up the disk material they'll fuse the vertebrae with a bone graft and plate. It might result in a slightly decreased range of motion, but fortunately most of the motion in the neck comes from the higher vertebrae. Hopefully I'll still be able to stay in horizontal trim!

I once had that "tough it out and drive on with the mission" attitude of the young, too, and have a knarly knee to show for it. Not sure when things changed (I'm resisting the urge to use a three letter word that begins with "o"). Thanks for your kind thoughts.

It sounds like you will be having an anterior discectomy with plating and fusion. I have had two of them. If you look at my profile picture (not the avatar) there are two scars that look like wrinkles on my neck on both sides just above the collar bones. The scars are really not noticed.

Follow your surgeon's protocol for recovery. Roughly 90% of those who complain that surgery made them worse off then they were prior to surgery failed to follow the recovery protocols.

You will be wearing a neck brace after surgery; wear it as you are told to do, no matter how uncomfortable. Do not attempt to do things you are told not to do.

The end result is a small reduction in the range of motion in four planes, not really a big deal.

Good luck...oh, you will be able to dive doubles again.