Back surgery/Injections

Anybody have first hand knowledge with lumbar spinal injections or L4-L5 disc repair surgery? Just got my MRI results back the disc is herniated with extrusion into the right L5 nerve root.

 

No GS9 for me

ruben

My wife as well as a friend have had them. Usually they work for several months for pain relief but not always. Well worth a try.

Hey Ruben sorry to hear that.  I've had surgery at the L5/S1 and multiple injections at the L4-L5 and L5/S1 root.  I am currently waiting for a surgeon to look over my MRI to see if I am a candidate for a fusion/artificial disc.

Send me a PM with any questions and I will do my best to tell you my experiences with my back.

Keep your chin up, stay positive and move around.

Talk to you soon,

Matt

Im glad I cant afford an MRI cause I don't want to know. 

I have severe arthritis at L4, L5 and a herniated disc at L5, S1.  I have had the herniated disc for over 30 years.  At the time I was told by the surgeon (St Mary's Spine Institute in SF)  that after 5 years the outcome between surgery and no surgery was the same so I opted for no surgery and made lifestyle changes (no more running, no more Aikido, no more impact sports, etc).  After a year or so I was pretty much back to normal sans the impact sports, which I wouldn't have been able to do even with surgery.  I have had two bouts of sciatia over the years, the last one about two years ago that laid me up for a couple of months.  Steroid injections were finally approved by my HMO and it seemed to help.  I'm in my 60s now and have to be pretty careful in what I do or the ol' back lets me know.

Anybody have first hand knowledge with lumbar spinal injections or L4-L5 disc repair surgery? Just got my MRI results back the disc is herniated with extrusion into the right L5 nerve root.

 

No GS9 for me

ruben

Sorry to read the sad news, Ruben. When I work around the yard, I have to sit down and rest a while because of lower back issues.

That sucks bud. I had three rounds of injections, kinda worked each time, and each time lasted less. Had the surgery and was out for a while, still cant yak for more than a few hours at a time, but they are getting better at this stuff, and the nurses keep getting prettier! (Or my vision is getting worse, or the drugs are good!)

Anybody have first hand knowledge with lumbar spinal injections or L4-L5 disc repair surgery? Just got my MRI results back the disc is herniated with extrusion into the right L5 nerve root.

 

No GS9 for me

ruben

Dude sorry to hear that I was looking forward to having you on the team again.
Hope you feel better soon hermano.

Anything is better than surgery.

Sorry to hear this, Ruben.  Get well soon, man. 

Sorry to hear that bro. We will miss you there. I have sciatica and its enough to back off a bit on some kayaking. Hopefully you feel better soon. See you on the water.

Oh yea.
Injections on 3 separate occasions.
Not a permanent solution, but they worked for the time being.
Last one was 4 or5 years ago.
Been avoiding surgery since1987.

Sorry to hear Ruben.  Was looking forward to seeing you at the cove.

Hope you recover quickly and I'll see you around.  Take it easy.

I had injections years ago and they did not help. Fast forward to now I am totally disabled due to my back and a few other issues. Last CAT scan showed three of my discs are now gone in my lower back and my bones look like mushrooms. My nerves are shot that run my legs so to get out of my kayak is a chore; beach launches and recoveries are a real pain since I have to "manatee" out.

I may hurt like hell on a daily basis but I won't give up this great sport.