Low Back Surgery

Firstly I would ask, is surgery your first or only option. has all conservative treatments failed, the way I look at surgery once you've been there, there is no way back. I am talking from bitter and very painful experience, I too have prolasped a disc and am at present in the process of rehab. After a life time in sport the military and police force I injured my back sneezing getting out of bed (how embarassing), I re-injured my back some month's back by slipping on a kitchen floor, life can be so harsh at times. It could of been from falling off my mountain bike or missing a weight, but the floor? My consultant refused a back op some month's back when I was in mega pain, I argued with him at the time (after being advised by several other professionals to have an op) I am now so glad that I did'nt. I am now ready and here's the irony to return back to work at my own sports injury clinic, and yes I have a certain interest in other peoples back problems. there is somewhat of an arguement going on with regards to my back problem as to wether I have an extra lumbar vertribre or an unfused sacrum, my consultant can not understand why I have never had problems before, I put it down to a life time of fitness, and weight training. It certainly answers the problem of my foot going numb on forced marches, (always knew I was not a wimp), so in short do everything possible to avoid surgery unless absolutley necessary, ie bladder and bowl problems (they are immediate if not sooner problems) good luck if you want any more info email me. Take it easy. John Murphy

I do not have the credentials of s2987d, but did have a similar experience I turned 40 and my back went. I believe it was a lack of exercise (kids). I agree to try everything else, including time. It took a full year for my pain to go away. That was about the time my specialist said. He said it would take about a year with or without an op. No guarantees one way or the other. I have one friend that had op and was fine afterward, it worked great. I also have a friend that said it did nothing. Don’t think there is no risk to op either, just one month ago a person in my town died on the op table (no kidding). The surgeon hit an artery and could not stop the bleeding. I do many exercises and stretching, it helps. I'm just a layman that plays a lot of sports and is always looking for a magic bullet to help my back. Exercise and not doing too many stupid things seems to do the trick now.

Having had a discetomy i feel the following points must be noted.
I agree with s2987d when he comments on exhausting all conservative methods of treatment first I did this with no success at all physiotherapists in my opinion do not fully understand the problems which go with a severe prolapse and only top consultants can advise you on what treatment is best . when you have had your surgery 6 to 8 wks after can be pretty depressive but the most important thing is to start walking as soon as possible as this is greatly beneficial in your overall recovery. you may 6 months down the line feel like you are having another relapse this is perfectly normal as your back re-stabilises a time to start general fitness programmes set by your consultant . overall when you have the pain of a severe relapse in my case surgery done the trick. hope it does the same for you.

I have a moderate case of diastasis, about 3 fingers of separation. It developed from poor recuperation from a gall bladder operation vertical incision and too much early exercise thereafter. I have been told by a surgeon that it can be repaired by surgery under a general anaesthetic and that it is a simple op. There is very little on the subject on the net altho my doctor told me that it is a common problem. Does anyone have any experience in this area they could help me with? Anyone had the op? Any comments? Thanks.