back surgery

[daren thorsell]

arrived home on sunday after undergoing major lower back surgery.anyone had this and what kind of time period before getting back on the water.thanks.

[MN Bassfisher]

Which back surgery did you have? I suffered a slipped disk a few months back and my back doc has recommneded a microdiscectomy. Some minor outpatient procedure, but does not guarantee future problems.

I am going to physical therapy which seems to help, but most importantly, I let my back do the talking for me. I make sure I am bending at the knees, proper posture, etc..These little things ehlp, but so is physical therapy.

Curious to hear what you were diagnosed with and which surgery you had? The surgery they recommend for me - I am in and out of the hospital all within 8 hrs...They recommend becuase the doc makes $5K for a 20 minute procedure.

[daren thorsell]

the doctor removed part of a lower disk which had numbed my right leg.aftre surgery the pain was gone.i am off work for 3 weeks on doctors orders.feel great but wondering how long i should stay off the water.i have a tournament on devils lake at the end of the month and i sure dont want miss

[DarrenB]

A lot of it depends on how badly the disc is herniated and for how long. the longer you wait for surgery the harder it is to recover. My wife had a micro at the end of April and it was no picnic. The disk had been pressiing on the nerve for so long that it the nerve was bright red, swollen and irritated. After relieving the pressure on the nerve her left leg went into the worst, most painful spasms that had her screaming in pain and pleading for morphine. What a fun ride that was, back to the hospital at 2 a.m. She has been on Neurontin and though the leg pain is gone, the back pain still exists somewhat. She is up and able to move around, has been back to work for a couple of weeks now and is in pysical therapy 3 times a week. Let your back tell you when it is time to get back to fishing. When it comes to back problems those arent anything you want to mess with. Hopefully you will be up and around quickly. :)

[MN Bassfisher]

Wow...Something more serious than me. My surgery, if I opt for it, there is no recovery time. They literally say to get out there and walk , run, etc....

I would not know about yours, call the doc. I am sure the response will be either: Let it heal (for the full 3 weeks)...Or, go fishing, just watch the warning signs. Mortin helps too!

Good Luck!

[Westy]

I had a microdiscetomy on two discs about 5 years ago. The pain was bad going in. I had gone through 4 epiduerals, numb legs, the works. My surgery was done on an outpatient basis. When I woke up, the pain was already tremendously improved. I took a week off of work and then just took it easy. I had my surgery in February and was ready in time for fishing in late May. Today, I am probably about 85-90% of full power. But, that is better than the way I was living before. Good luck to you. My advice is to just take it easy and follow your doctors instructions and hope for a speedy recovery.

[AD]

Had two herniated discs five years ago....was in tremendous pain for over a year on and off all kinds of medication, therapy etc, etc, etc, the doctor wanted me to have surgery but I refused. My legs were numb, I couldn't sit for more than five minutes..this went on for about 18 months. Finaly, I said screw the drugs and two weeks after getting off all the pain killers and other crap I started feeling better. 12 months later I was fully recovered and enjoying life again. I really believe that in most cases, your body has the ability to heal itself but when your doped up on drugs and everything else, the body doesn't realize the extent of the injury because the pain is masked and your body's healing ability is hindered. When your body feels pain, it's natural response is to heal. Really concentrate on getting better, eat right and get off the drugs and see if that helps, if not you may have no other option but surgery. Good luck, I know how you feel, I've been there and don't wish that sort of pain on anyone.

AD

[MN Bassfisher]

AD -

I am too not opting for this microdiscetomy. At least for now.

Here is what I have gone thru: This winter, I was experiencing sciatic pains in my left leg. Some so srious, I would scream. Advil was the only thing that helped. I toook 3 advils every 4 hrs and that helped. Then, right before Memorial Day weekend, my back went out. I mean, I was laid out flat on my back for 3 days. I could not stand for more 5 minutes. After taking these steriods, I was up and around like magic and fishing 2 days later. Guess what?

Sciatic pains went away and I have numbness in my calf. I went to my general physician who I originally saw about this, and his comments were: I would not do the surgey if that is all you feel now. I will refer you to physical therapy. Apparently, even w/ the micro, you walk out with numbess and that can last for up to a year anyway. Not to mention, there are no gurantees.

I take Motrin maybe twice a day and feel great. Sure I have some pain in my back but I get that from my days in the office sitting at hrs at a time. I have to train myself to get up every 15 minutes and walk around.

With all that said I am probably at 85-90% right now without surgery. I will tell you this, I'd rather have a little numbness than the sciatic pains I had.....

[Pherris]

I have had lower back surgery twice first time was a double lamenectomy(sp) second was spinal fusion. The recovery was much longer on the fusion 10-12 weeks before I got back on the water and then was very careful for another 6-8 weeks before I was back to normal. The lamonectomy(sp) I was fishing in 6 weeks on a regular basis. I would say to be careful as each person is different. Good luck on your recovery and fishing.

[Dodge1]

I had a double laminectomy, on L3 and L4, about 12 years ago. The doctors had me off work for a month and I was emphatically told to avoid any stress on my back, for at least 3 months.

Back surgery is nothing to treat lightly and I’m assuming you don’t want to end up back in the hospital. With that in mind, I would strongly suggest that you call your doctor and find out what he has to say about your tournament.

[Tom]

i had 2 disc,s removed from my lower back in 1991, i was up and wading in 6 weeks, my doctor said that being in the water like that would be good for me and it wasn,t long after that i was back in the boat, after 10 years my back still flares up now and than but its something you,ll have to learn to live with, i didn,t want to get cut but after falling a few times from my left leg giving out i thought it was time, i would suggest waiting until you can,t stand the pain before you go under the knive cause even after surgery you won,t be completly pain free, i take a medication right now that is for people who have seizers the med works on the nerves to block the pain and there were no side affects for me it isn,t a pain med but it worked wonders on my quaility of life and i still take it 2 times a day its called ( neurontin ) it will make a huge difference in the level of pain you have, i still fish alone most of the time and have no problems unloading and loading the boat which is a 17 ft deep v aluminum and on the heavy side, if you would like give me an e-mail and i,ll give you my phone # and fill you in on what to expect, e-mail addy is ( ctfaz@bellatlantic.net )



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[eye_guide]

In November I had a two level, anterior and posterior fusion. By the end of Feb I was able to go out and start doing a little ice fishing. Now I'm back to guiding and have done a few tourneys. The outcome was great for me so far. Back brace for until mid may but I don't even need it in the boat anymore. I just use common sense and take it easy when need be. Good luck on your recovery.

[Blake Hendrickson]

I don't even like to hear about back surgeries after having two myself in 1988 and again in 1996 to correct a herniated L 4-5 disc. It was so bad before the last time under the knife that I was about ready for the nursing home at 45 years of age. A great doctor discovered that the nerves passing thru my sacrum were being squeezed off by excessive bone growth so that was also corrected in the last surgery.
I was able to walk within a day of being cut open, but it was several months before I was able to walk without pain.
The boat was the death of me before my first laminectomy. The bouncing across waves and constant rocking motion of the boat in the waves just aggravated the condition. I was in the boat within two weeks of the last back work, but after spending 20 thousand bucks I wasn't about to screw it up by taking any chances. I don't know about you, but my thinking is that it is best to take things slowly, don't press, give yourself time to heal properly and you will avoid further problems down the road. Your back will never be like before you damaged it, get that straight right now. Every case is different and you will have to be the best judge of how much you can do based on how you feel. Good luck and when you are back on the water -- Keep a tight line!

[Stinger WI]

Has anyone gone through surgery for an upper disk problem. My disk between c4 and c5 is compressed. I lost alot of movement in my right arm last year. The doctor first thought I had a frozen shoulder but after 3 MRI's and three experts I was told my disk was bad. The told me to wait as long as possible for surgery, which suprised me coming from a doctor. My problem is it is now going into my left arm, it makes it prety hard to fish or more importantly play ball with my boy.
Does anyone have any advice out there?

Thanks,


Craig A
#663

[Stump]

Very touchy subject for me!!!July 11th it will be exactly 2 yrs since I hurt my back at work.I am a carpenter who builds custom homes.I blew 2 discs in my lower back lifting a wall.It was the worst pain I had ever experienced.After laying on the deck for about 45 mins. I was driven to the hospital.I was given Codine and told to check back in 3 days if pain was still there.YEA RIGHT!!!! Physical therapy ,Multiple X-rays,2 mylograms(2 herniated discs...1 on a nerve), more therapy,3 epidurals, more therapy,4 facet injections, yet more therapy,3 neurosurgeons...the last one belonging to workmans comp. Surprise he says theres nothing wrong with me. Comp. is gone...by this time ( not enough hours in for medical ins.coverage anymore) and court being continued for last 7 mos. Meanwhile my back and leg is getting worse.Cant afford surgery 2 neurosurgeons are recommending.(Spinal fusion in 2 places...4 metal rods and done through the stomach) . Sure wish this would have only lasted 6-8 weeks.
Tight lines
STUMP

[tjsker]

My doc put the description of a disc in terms that I can understand. It's similar to a jelly donut, harder on the outside than the inside. But if you trim away some the the outside of the disc, you leave the softer inside exposed. This exposed area takes time to harden. How long you need it to harden depends on what type of abuse you are going to put it through. I'm an accountant, so the demands on my back are not great, if you're a construction worker, you may have to wait a longer time before taking on heavy tasks. I would think that riding in a boat in calm seas should not be too rough on your back. But if your taking on 4 and 5 foot waves like I did on Lake MaConaughy this past weekend, I'd talk to a doctor first.

[daren thorsell]

i have to thank god every day for the strength to overcome the pain and care for my family.i am only 33years old so hopefully itll recover. i hope that all of you can find relief in one way or another.god bless.

[Walizz 1]

Hi Stinger,
I had fusion surgery on c-4,5,6 about 7 years ago after going through all the right arm stuff you describe.I would do it again in a minute. I fish Winnebago nearly every day as well as other midwestern spots and never have had any problems with my neck. Have it done in the winter and by spring you'll be ready to fish.
Dale Frank

[curt quesnell]

My wife has had low back surgery twice.....

Both times surgery was sucessful and she recovered in about 6 weeks.

I hope I would have the courage to have surgery if I needed it.


Curt Quesnell

[Bob G2]

Craig,

Go see either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine specialist (an ortho that has done a spine fellowship and operates on the spine only)
If it is going into the left arm, this raises the possibility of myelopathy, which is not a good thing.

I hesitate in saying this, but if there is nerve damage going on as evidenced by EMG, the longer the compression/damage the less chance of recovery. I was told the very same things you were, that I don't need it, put it off for as long as you can, etc. Believe me, did I get the varied opinions! Easy for them to say as I felt I had the lifestyle of an 85 y.o. Nobody wants to have surgery, but most everyone wants the best chance of recovery.

There are some very good surgeons in either Milwaukee or Madison. One thing, if you go to a university center such as in Madison (An ortho at UWMadison named Zdeblick has a world renowned reputation), insist on having the attending doc do the whole procedure, that is, if you do go for surgery. Sometimes at university centers, the residents end up doing some or all of the procedure.

[Big Tim]

Been nearly 7 months since they fused c4,5,6&7 on me Both hands & left foot were almost numb, lost 90% of strength in both hands before the operation. Docs said I was one small bump from Chris Reeves. Spent 3 months in a neck brace, now the only problem is stiff shoulders---athritis is setting in. A pair on top notch Neuro surgeons put me back together. Didn't stop me from fishing for up to 12 hours a day last month on LacSeul(6 months after the opperation). Got lots of over the slot Walleyes & some big Pike. Could not have done it before the operation. Pounded across the lake one day for over an hour in 3-4' chop when the wind came up during the day & the neck felt fine.
Each person is going to react to an operation in a different way, all depends on Your condition, your doc's skill, & your abillity to heal. Wish you all the luck & urge anyone to NOT put off medical treatment. Those of us with #&?@@#* HMO's really have to DEMAND the treatment we think we need. I started complaining to my doc 8 months before they finally figured out I DID have a serious problem. The whole time I was slowly getting worse & was in real danger of becoming paralized for life.
Hope your wife comes out OK & enjoys many more years of fishin' !!

[ScottL]

Don't overdo it, your body needs time to heal, Your body feels much better than it did prior to surgery, but does it feel as good as it did prior to your injury? Back and spine problems are nothing to take lightly, and after having a back injury, you are kidding yourself if you think you are completely healed and can move,act and lift like you were able to prior to the injury. I have had 2 discectomy's on L5-S1. Went thru the same symptoms as most have described (numbness and pain). After the first surgery, recovery time was short (less than one month and I was back to mostly normal activities other than golf, softball(doctor said that those two sports are the worst possible for reinjuring your back) and heavy lifting. After the 2nd surgery It was close to a year before I was back to near normal. Alot depends on the amount of "work" done to your back, the size of your incision,the amount of scar tissue in your back, your age, your general level of health,your diet, and how well you stick to your physical therapy orders(VERY IMPORTANT) not just during the first month after surgery, but for much longer, also down the road a few years if you feel discomfort in your back, dust off your physical therapy excersises and go thru them, you'll be amazed how good they make you feel. Hopefully you will be back to near normal for many years to come. My biggest problem now is that my back has turned into a barometer. If a storm is coming I can tell you 1 to 2 days in advance because of the stiffness I feel, probably the onset of arthritis.
As for fishing:
Loading and unloading your boat is where you should ask for some help.
Also you'll want to avoid taking much of a pounding in rough water.
If you feel stiffness coming on, go to shore and walk around for awhile

As for the rest of the posters on this thread:
Prolonged denial or hessitation to get this injury remedied can lead to PERMANENT nerve damage. Prolonged usage of anti-inflamatory drugs, and pain killers (both perscription and over the counter) can lead to other health and safety concerns, not to mention addiction. Surgery is not always the answer, and alot of people prefer not to undergo surgery because of many reasons.
Proper diagnosis of problem, chiropractic treatments, epidural steroid injections, rest, weight loss, physical therapy and strength training as well as dietary supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate can all possibly help heal back injuries, but are not guaranteed quick fixes, but surgery is not a guaranteed quick fix either. If you question your doctors diagnosis and recomendation, get a 2nd opinion.
Sorry for the length of this response, I am by no means an expert on it, but I have suffered thru this twice in my life, and the people around you suffer too. Good luck on your recovery.

Regards,

Scott Lee