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#21
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pittpete,
Thanks for the info. I'm still learning. How long were you in the hospital after the PLIF? How long before you were getting around on your own? Thanks, Jeremy
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1995–Lifting weights 2000–Sciatica pains left leg–chiropractic treatments 2005–More severe Sciatica pains left leg–resumed chiropractic treatments. 2010–Last straw, moving furniture, severe lower left back muscle spasms the next day. MRI. Tried decompression and physical therapy-no help. 2015–MRI-L4-5: Mild spinal canal narrowing is noted due to bulging disc and facet joint hypertrophy. L5-S1: Mild spinal canal narrowing is noted due to focal central disc protrusion and facet joint hypertrophy. |
#22
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Quote:
I would say from the basic looks of it, your L5/S1 is not pointing straight down as if it were looking down a cliff which doesn't appear to warrant an issue IMO.
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Weightlifter since 12 years old, now mid-40's and figuring out this wasn't such a good idea. Chronic back pain started in 2010 while shrugging weights that a 40 yr. old shouldn't even try. MRI in 2012 showing L4/L5, L5/S1 herniations and L2/L3 bulge. L5/S1 taking on new shape, chronic sciatica, etc. DEXA bone scan performed 5/7/14 showing mild osteopenia. Surgery performed July 9th, 2014, Dr Clavel, hybrid three level lumbar. |
#23
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Quote:
I could've went home Wednesday but chose to stay. I honestly thought the surgery would be worse. I was up walking around on Wednesday. I took a shower and a giant dump on Thursday morning by myself without any help..LOL I took muscle relaxer and roxycodone 5mg for 3 days. I've taken tylenol on 3 separate occaisions since. Stiffness gets better each day. No back pain any longer, just kind of stiff above surgery. Go to doc on Aug 25th for my 2nd follow up..I'll update after. You can follow my thread here
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Born 1970/1995-Hurt at work/1996-Right disc fragment L4-L5 discectomy-On/off back pain,no serious leg pain until/2007-Right herniation L5-S1,recurrent small herniation at L4-L5 with unbearable leg pain/6/08 discectomy L5-S1/leg pain relieved/occaisional mechanical pain/2012-Cymblata 60 mg,occasional aleve/2014-LB pain not debilitating but chronic,Rhizotomy relieves facet pain on right side/2015-L4-S1 facets shot/4/15 PLIF L4-S1 with facectomy |
#24
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pittpete,
I read your entire thread. Thanks. You mentioned retracting the muscles in your back during your PLIF. Can you clarify this for me? So, they didn't cut your back muscles like they do in past traditional open back surgeries? Also, how long was the incision? Jeremy
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1995–Lifting weights 2000–Sciatica pains left leg–chiropractic treatments 2005–More severe Sciatica pains left leg–resumed chiropractic treatments. 2010–Last straw, moving furniture, severe lower left back muscle spasms the next day. MRI. Tried decompression and physical therapy-no help. 2015–MRI-L4-5: Mild spinal canal narrowing is noted due to bulging disc and facet joint hypertrophy. L5-S1: Mild spinal canal narrowing is noted due to focal central disc protrusion and facet joint hypertrophy. |
#25
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My incision is around 5 inches.
Doc used same incision as my 2 previous discectomies at L4-S1. Some muscle is cut but they are spread apart using retraction. Retracting muscles for a 3+ hour surgery cuts off blood supply to the muscles. Doc told me he doesnt retract them for the whole surgery when i questioned him pre surgery. He backs off the retractors to let the muscles fall back into place.
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Born 1970/1995-Hurt at work/1996-Right disc fragment L4-L5 discectomy-On/off back pain,no serious leg pain until/2007-Right herniation L5-S1,recurrent small herniation at L4-L5 with unbearable leg pain/6/08 discectomy L5-S1/leg pain relieved/occaisional mechanical pain/2012-Cymblata 60 mg,occasional aleve/2014-LB pain not debilitating but chronic,Rhizotomy relieves facet pain on right side/2015-L4-S1 facets shot/4/15 PLIF L4-S1 with facectomy |
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