now comes the spinal fusion

[stiffnecked]

herniated disks are one step away from being ruptured disks. once the jelly inside the disks leaks out your screwed. it can't be put back in. if a bone cracker gets just a little too aggresive he'll rupture that herniated disk and cause all kinds of problems for you. if it's your back that needs operated on an orthopedic surgeon will be just fine. if it's your cervical spine or neck you should see a neurosurgeon.

[vickinat]

jstadfrntpn,
Hi, I had my 2 level cervical fusion done on 3/7/08, 2 discs(C3-4 & C4-5) removed and donor bone put in with plate and screws. I'm currently still in PT and all my X-rays have looked good so far.

My Dr. is an Orthopedic surgeon. I will be going this Friday 5/30/08 for him to do surgery on my herniated Lumbar disc L4-5, it has a fragment free flowing and it is compresing the L4 exiting nerve. My last MRI on 01/02/08 should most of my lumbar spine has damage to the discs and the L3 and L4 vertibrae has shifted.

This is the first person who gave me hope of getting down to a lower pain level in my back, hip and leg. The Dr. said this surgery should make a big diifeerance and that it should help me lose my altered gait when I walk. To me it is worth it for me to go for this surgery. I have already had ESI's Trigger point inj., PT, Aqua Therapy, medications, and still use a Tens unit. You will need to decide what you want to do, check if you can get another opinion or 2. Check with a lawyer for a free consult, they don't get paid until the get you money. Good luck and let us know.
Take care
Vickie

[chrischris]

I don't know WC rules in GA. but in many states you don't pay a Workers Comp lawyer until your case is settled. In California the attorney receives 12-15% of the settlement and the workers comp judge determines the percentage.

Go to the top of this page an pull down "Info By State". The best defense is a good offense, so learn all you can about WC rules in your State.

[hurt at work]

i had fusion S-1-L-4 lots of screws and plates.with perm nerve damage.when the dr opened me up he said he never thought it would be as bad as it was.it took a hour longer that he thought.then i sneezed and herniated L-3 which could go at anytime.the longer you wait the worse it will get the pain the nerve issues will get worse.i tried everything as to not have surgery and they diddnt work for me i ended up in more pain and more damage by messing around then wc put it off even longer which didnt help either.its ur choice but i know i got worse by waiting.good luck and the back cracker didnt help me any.

[Lilly]

Hi,

Most times once you've already had back surgery, a chiropractor won't even touch you.
You need to have a long talk w/ doc...to see what the alternative options are.
Good Luck, Lilly

[OLD DRIVER]

I would get a lawyer just to look out for rights and to aid you.The i/c is not your friend they will look out for them so becarefull

[Still in Limbo]

If Your Laws will allow, or You have the Means to do this, I would Never have Surgery without a Second Opinion. You have seen an Ortho., I would Suggest that You now See a Neuro. Surgeon and get their Opinion. My Surgery of the Spine went Well, until the Scar Tissue appeared and caused My Problems, and that wasn't the Surgeon's Fault, My Body just Produces excessive Scar Tissue, something We didn't know. When it was Discussed whether re-surgery would Benefit Me, I was Fortunate enough to have a Total of 8 (Both Ortho. and Neuro.) Surgeons look at My Films, and it was found that I wasn't a Candidate. My Pain was so Severe before Surgery that I chose it because there was No Way I could have Lived with the Pain. I Literally had to Crawl due to the Pain of Standing. Only You know how You feel and if Surgery will be Good for You, but Second Opinions sure do go a Long Way to Helping with Your Decision! Best of Luck!!

By the Way, a Herniated Disc is a Ruptured Disc. A Bulge is when the Pulpus, (Or Liquid Like Center) is Pushed through some of the 24 Layers of the Outside Disc Material. a Herniation, (Or Ruptured ) Disc is One that the Pulpus has torn through all 24 Layers, and is exposed outside of the Disc. What Usually Occurs then is the Pulpus will Press on Nerve and Nerve Roots, applying Pressure and causing Nerve Inflammation. Bulges can cause Nerve Pain also, depending on where the Bulge is, but they can Subside with Rest and Care, where a Herniation Usually won't Heal. I Just thought You May want to know that Info. to Help in Your Decision, and again Best of Luck!!

[stiffnecked]

Yea, what Limbo said. I always get the bulge, herinated and ruptured mixed up. Just don't let the bone cracker work on you.

[jstadfrntpn]

stiffnecked Wrote:Yea, what Limbo said. I always get the bulge, herinated and ruptured mixed up. Just don't let the bone cracker work on you.

thanks a million guys! i will keep posting and i wish u the best