removal of slipped discs

[Scarlett]

The specialist has just suggested I have this done. Has anyone else had this operation and know what it involves and if it helped them or not?

[monkeyeyes]

My father had a laminectomy/discectomy twenty-odd years ago and it was a complete success. He has been pain-free ever since.............

Unfortunately, I now have similarly herniated discs and there is a strong possibility that I may have to have some sort of operation in the future, too...........

But as I have seen the successful results in Dad, I'm not terribly anxious about it....

[daffy654]

Check out this thread here on AB from a few days ago,its very informative.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion524163.html

[garner]

Hi Scarlett...I had a laminectomy many years ago.They fused four discs.After having so much pain they could have done what they liked to be honest.Best thing I agreed to.I was in discomfort from the op which is normal but to be able to put my foot flat to the floor[I could only walk on the ball of my foot with my leg bent due to the pain and the pulling of the nerves] for a month before the op I knew it was a sucess.The orthopaedic surgeon gave me some very good advice...Never wear high heel shoes.....never carry anything heavy or move anything heavy...and never use a supermarket trolly[he said they should be banned] due to the people he saw who had harmed their backs with them. Have manage to stick to the rules and have never looked back, of course general things like keeping your back warm,not standing for a long time have all helped.You will learn your limitations as you go along.Good luck and I hope all goes well for you .g.

[Whoever]

I had a laminectomy some years ago for partial removal of a burst disc, so not quite the same procedure as has been recommended for you. But I literally couldn't walk at all and was crawling around on the floor in unbearable pain. The surgery removed the pain, and for much of the time I am now OK but I did suffer some spinal nerve damage which left me with intermittent loss of feeling in one foot so can no longer walk long distances and occasionally have lapses where my back just seizes up on me, necessitating several days lying flat in bed. I suspect surgical procedures have greatly improved in the past ten years but do talk to your consultant about your expectations post-surgery. How active are you now? Will you want to be able to bend, do yoga or Pilates afterwards, dance, walk a lot afterwards? Some actions may no longer be possible and your healing process may depend on how well you feel you are meeting expectations which may not be realistic. Also, as you grow older, if you start to develop osteoarthritis in your spine (which most older people have to some extent) this may combine with the after effects of your surgery to limit your agility. If you are currently in constant pain, surgery may be the only practical option for you, but the advice about not wearing high heels is a good one, and be sure to start a regular regime of back strengthening exercises afterwards to help keep your back muscles in good tone.

[beso]

Please try a chiropractor first.

I have been in agony with a herniated disk but made a full recovery after several visits. The relief on the first visit was dramatic. However I had it treated promptly. I suspect the damage sets in if it is left for years.

I subsequently learnt to do the first aid manouver myself and can fix it immediately if it goes out. However I would still go to the chiropractor to sort it properly if it happened again.

I maintain a good awarenss of the shape of my body and go in for adjustment if I sense I am not properly aligned. This prevents problems from happening.