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I've just had a letter from the neuro-surgeon to whom I was referred. He, quite correctly, lists the potentially horrible risks of spinal surgery. He gives the aims of surgery as a) prevent or delay further neurological deterioration and b )Pain reduction.
"The main aim of the operation would be to prevent or delay any further neurological deterioration and only secondly to try to alleviate part or all of your symptoms."
In his opinion:-
I am looking at a 50% chance of back pain getting better and a 50% chance of it remaining the same - or worsening. Life and paralysis are at risk plus many other problems. Having had 2 hip replacement ops. I know about the risks of an op., so am not too fazed by them although I am terrified by the possibilities of this one - as I was before hips. A lot depends on how well my nerves will regenerate. This is where I need more advice at the moment.
Is nerve regeneration dependant upon age? I am swimming, losing weight, doing exercises like mad in order to delay this op and help myself- but is it sensible? If I put off drastic surgery for 10 years by my own efforts I will be 78. By then will regeneration be slower that at my present age?? If so, I may as we take my chances now- or at least consider that option. Eking out my life in pain doesn'tappeal. \;0
"The main aim of the operation would be to prevent or delay any further neurological deterioration and only secondly to try to alleviate part or all of your symptoms."
In his opinion:-
I am looking at a 50% chance of back pain getting better and a 50% chance of it remaining the same - or worsening. Life and paralysis are at risk plus many other problems. Having had 2 hip replacement ops. I know about the risks of an op., so am not too fazed by them although I am terrified by the possibilities of this one - as I was before hips. A lot depends on how well my nerves will regenerate. This is where I need more advice at the moment.
Is nerve regeneration dependant upon age? I am swimming, losing weight, doing exercises like mad in order to delay this op and help myself- but is it sensible? If I put off drastic surgery for 10 years by my own efforts I will be 78. By then will regeneration be slower that at my present age?? If so, I may as we take my chances now- or at least consider that option. Eking out my life in pain doesn'tappeal. \;0
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OK I'm back now and you probably have not been on AB yet.
This question is all about pain relief versus complications of operation.
Should you have it now OR should you wait until later? Will age affect nerve regeneration IF nerve regeneration comes into the equation?
Discectomy....no problem, the results tend to be good independent of your age and there would be little point in postponing.
Surgery for lumbar osteo-arthritis is not quite as successful as disc surgery (Spinal Fusion)but gives a success rate of about 70-80% although this may well take 6-12 months to achieve.
Nerve regeneration: animal studies seem to suggest that regeneration is slower in the elderly......human studies are equivocal.
I would not let age enter into my decision.
Can i continue any longer with this pain and the degree that it adversely affecting my life?
That is your main and only question that needs answering.
From a surgeons point of view and success rate...it doesn't matter a damn.
Your decision.
If it were me? I would put off spinal fusion for as long as possible, but discectomy, I would probably have done now.
This question is all about pain relief versus complications of operation.
Should you have it now OR should you wait until later? Will age affect nerve regeneration IF nerve regeneration comes into the equation?
Discectomy....no problem, the results tend to be good independent of your age and there would be little point in postponing.
Surgery for lumbar osteo-arthritis is not quite as successful as disc surgery (Spinal Fusion)but gives a success rate of about 70-80% although this may well take 6-12 months to achieve.
Nerve regeneration: animal studies seem to suggest that regeneration is slower in the elderly......human studies are equivocal.
I would not let age enter into my decision.
Can i continue any longer with this pain and the degree that it adversely affecting my life?
That is your main and only question that needs answering.
From a surgeons point of view and success rate...it doesn't matter a damn.
Your decision.
If it were me? I would put off spinal fusion for as long as possible, but discectomy, I would probably have done now.
Thank you so much for your replies, sqad. I'm sorry I didn't give you enough info. I was a bit upset when the full truth hit me (tbh I also had another couple of glasses of wine).
I had hoped that a discectomy might help me, but the condition turns out to be worse than that and a fusion is necessary.
"During the operation I will insert several pieces of metalwork to stabilize your spine and probably a cage at the front of your spine. Any of these can break or migrate.......(risks then explained).
"The operation I will perform is considered a temporary measure until your spine fuses. There is a possibility of not achieving a solid bony fusion in which case your spinal stability relies on the metalwork and therefore you are at risk of an implant fracture..."
On the plus side, my bone density is good for my age after an active life :) One other consideration is that my very dear Mr J2 has had a tumour removed in May (clear) followed by a minor heart attack in June and a fall from the attic down the stairs in July (lots of blood and a broken rib) and at 84 this has all knocked him somewhat and he is taking a long time to recover. I don't think that he could cope very easily with the strain of my op. and the recovery time needed.
All in all, I'm inclined to put it off as long as possible, but it is so hard! I look fine, but 10 mins. standing in a queue is agonising and people don't like it if I ask to queue-jump. :( I think that if I find myself unable to stand to sing with my choir (helps morale and asthma) I may ask for the op.. It was first offered to me in France in about 2006, but I didn't realise the seriousness.
Thank you very much. :)
I had hoped that a discectomy might help me, but the condition turns out to be worse than that and a fusion is necessary.
"During the operation I will insert several pieces of metalwork to stabilize your spine and probably a cage at the front of your spine. Any of these can break or migrate.......(risks then explained).
"The operation I will perform is considered a temporary measure until your spine fuses. There is a possibility of not achieving a solid bony fusion in which case your spinal stability relies on the metalwork and therefore you are at risk of an implant fracture..."
On the plus side, my bone density is good for my age after an active life :) One other consideration is that my very dear Mr J2 has had a tumour removed in May (clear) followed by a minor heart attack in June and a fall from the attic down the stairs in July (lots of blood and a broken rib) and at 84 this has all knocked him somewhat and he is taking a long time to recover. I don't think that he could cope very easily with the strain of my op. and the recovery time needed.
All in all, I'm inclined to put it off as long as possible, but it is so hard! I look fine, but 10 mins. standing in a queue is agonising and people don't like it if I ask to queue-jump. :( I think that if I find myself unable to stand to sing with my choir (helps morale and asthma) I may ask for the op.. It was first offered to me in France in about 2006, but I didn't realise the seriousness.
Thank you very much. :)
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