Surgery or no surgery... that is the question!

January 29, 2010

So, I am actually writing in behalf of my husband. He had a surgery 2 years ago

(after 3 years prior pain). He had two bulging discs that ended up rupturing -

the pain was tremendous and foot and toe went numb. Surgery was the only option.

Fast forward two year, and he still has intermittent pain. Not like it was the

two weeks before surgery, but still gets that stabbing pain (pain level never

getting above a 4 between a 0-10 pain level) with the last two toes tingling or

going completely numb. He can go without pain every other week with and without

pain, and sometimes even a month! He has tried PT, and that tends to make it

worse. He has had many shots, and they might help a little, but the numbness in

the toes really bothers him.

His former surgeon said that his new MRI shows some scar tissue, another bulging

disc in the L4 - L5 area, and a small cyst that has developed in the previous

operated area. He got a 2nd opinion and this surgeon only saw a little scar

tissue, but not the cyst or buging disc. They both feel that a 2nd surgery may

or may not help. My husband has to weigh out the risks. They are sugesting

putting in a little " lift " ? I am sorry, I am not sure what it is called exactly,

but I think it sounds sort of like a fussion, but called something different.

They both made it sound ike it is very common and like the next step from a

disectomy.

I know that many of you may think he would be crazy to think about another

surgery, but here is the thing. He is a 36 years old, very active, athletic guy.

He used to be an athlete on the professional level (tennis) and now teaches PE

to kids. We moved to a state for the recreational activity. Exercise is really

therapeutic for him. It has been awful watching him have to give it all up. He

is so careful with everything. He lives like he is walking on thin ice! He has

given up tennis, skiing, biking, hiking, everything! Recently he was pain free

for a month, so I encouraged him to go X-country skiing like like the good old

days, and now he has spent the last week after work flat on his back alternating

heat/ice and dealing annoying tingling toes.

This is where the surgery option comes back in. For those of you who can

understand his situation (exercise = mentality), do you think he take the risk

of another surgery to get his lifestlye back? Should be just accept this (almost

a disabilbity for him!) and change his interestes? If he has the surgery, is

there a chance he can be worse off then before?

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer my post.

-Concerned wife

Recommended Posts