Having XL TDR Surgery on the 23rd of August

**Backdraft** · 08-06-2011, 11:31 PM

Hi Everyone and thanks in advance.

I am a Firefighter/Paramedic at times I have to lift over 150LBs on my own. My job requires me to lift constantly, twist turn, wear about 60 Lbs of gear when I go into a fire and of course we do EMS also so I am on the Rescue a lot and we transport on average 10 times per shift.

I have yet to see anyone who does this type of work or similar who was able to return to work after XL TDR. My Doctor suggests that my Career is probably over.

Has anyone returned to a demanding job similar to mine after this surgery?

Paul

**mike m** · 08-07-2011, 12:54 AM

hello paul - i had xl tdr done on yesterday in the spokane wa study. i run an industrial piping company with alot of heavy work. im sure i wont ever be 100% but i have heard good results from patients up here, back to work,sking,golf. as far as your not being able to stay in your job im not much help only 2 days in but very pleased so far , had surgery at 6am walked in my door at 7pm same day and on very low dose of medication 10mg percocet 8hrs i came close to backing out of trial, glad i stayed.

**Katie** · 08-07-2011, 10:15 AM

Congratulations on having a date! Many of us have waited years to get relief...it is good to see someone who has gotten through the system faster.

As to your future, as Mike said above, it is all up to the individual. What came to mind when I read your post though, is what that kind of work will do to the rest of your spine, and do you want to risk it? You don't give your age, but since I am near retirement, I can tell you that I want to be able to enjoy the rest of the years I have without facing more surgery. Since my spine is a real mess even after three levels being done (and I had XLIFs at 2 lumbars and an ADR in my cervical), the chances of some other levels going are probably pretty good. I still want to enjoy my physical type hobbies, but in a limited form.

We all outgrow the more physically demanding jobs eventually. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you that something less challenging now would be in your best interests long term? It sounds like you love your career...could you pass down what you know to the newer employees and still keep the passion and the paycheque? Just musing.........

Whatever the outcome job wise, I wish you well on your upcoming surgery. Please keep us posted.

**Backdraft** · 08-07-2011, 01:26 PM

I am 45 years old. Also have an annular tear in S1. Doesn't show up in MRI's and is not Black yet. The discogram is how we found out about that. There was some leakage but the pain was no where as severe as when they did L4-5. S1 felt like a cramp in my left buttock, L4-5 needless to say made me want to jump off the table the pain was unbearable to a point where I thought my legs would explode.

I have had four opinions three which said surgery and one who told me just strengthen my core and I would be perfectly fine.
One Ortho suggested Fusion.
One Ortho suggested strengthen core.
One Neuro suggested I needed Surgery but would not do a fusion due to my age. He actually referred me to Dr Uribe here in Tampa.

I have read all the benefits and possible side effects etc before making this decision. There is always a possibility that the disk can come displaced even years after surgery.

My current Job can cause that to happen due to the constant lifting, turning, bending.

Mike, I hope your recovery goes well. Good Luck.

**Justin** · 08-10-2011, 11:00 PM

Hi Backdraft,

Congrats on having a surgery date!

A good friend is a fireman and had a two-level lumbar Activ-L with Dr. Zeegers back in 2008. He's doing great and he's working full-time.

His SPS Member name is "firerescuefin" and a recent post by Geoff can be found here: Glad to be here (2 level Activ L [L4/L5 & L5/S1], Dr. Zeegers). Geoff's a great guy and I would click on his profile so you can contact him via private message or email.

Good luck and please keep us posted as your surgery gets closer!

**SemperFi** · 08-11-2011, 05:58 PM

I guess whether I'd return to work lifting patients again would have depended on how well I might have responded to a surgery like disc replacement if I had done that when it was offered to me. I didn't. It had been a number of years since I had worked lifting patients (RN/Neurosurgery/Cardiothoracic Surgery/other).. I had gone on and gotten my MSN during the height of my worse episodic pain years to become an NP then worked in an ambulatory care clinical setting for a number of years until my back pain due to several discectomies became completely intolerable re work.

Again it's great when someone can return to whatever it was they were doing if it was heavy duty (for whatever reason like salary/benefits/pure joy/love for whatever the job was) although I'd have to also weigh the position of would I want to do the same work that got me to that point (spine surgery) if there were other options that would allow for me not to do it and remain working in the field somehow.

I'm in awe of Firefighters and think they are GREAT for doing what they do.. what you and firerescuinfin do ~ thanks for your years of service so far.. and good luck with your decision/surgery!

**Backdraft** · 09-20-2011, 03:36 PM

Hello everyone
Thank you for the warm wishes.
I had my surgery on the 23rd. After fighting with the floor nurses who claimed they didn't have any orders yet from the doctor. Of course they didn't know that I worked in a hospital as a Paramedic Part time and am aware that no patient gets admitted to a room without doctors orders. I was up an walking one hour after leaving the recovery room. It is my doctors policy to have his patients stay overnight.
Today I am 4 weeks post surgery, I have some limited mobility but am having increasing mobility on a daily basis. The pain I had is gone. I do have some pain but it is from muscle spasms and the incision site which from the outside appears to be almost healed. I have noticed and so have friends that I am not slouching like I use to.

So I will now tell you what I have decided, My doctor strongly advises that I should not go back to the FD. Basically due to what SemperFi mentioned and the possibility of displacing the disc.
I have one alternative, it's promotion time at work, I take a test tomorrow for a possible promotion to Driver Engineer. Being a Driver Engineer I would not have to fight fire 99% of the time and I would also not be used as a rescue medic meaning not more lifting patients and carrying patients etc.
If I do well and place high on the test, promotion can be in as little as two months. (Just about the time I think the doctor will tell me I am 100%)
If things do not work out that way, I may have to say I will accept the fact that I cannot return and find a different line of work after a little more schooling.
SemperFi you are correct, I do not want to go back and possibly recreate the same scenario that go me to this point in the first place.

I will try to keep everyone up to date on my progress.

Paul

**mike m** · 09-21-2011, 12:13 AM

Backdraft thats great you are feeling this good at 4 weeks. I had my xl tdr done in the Spokane wa study on 8-5-2011, I also am feeling pretty good at 6 weeks. I have some pain at l4 l5. but the bad hip pain is gone. As of now I feel like things are going very well . Hope you have continued improvement and keep us posted. Mike

**Backdraft** · 09-25-2011, 02:36 PM

Every day is a new challenge. I am progressing but these spasms are bad. I guess the muscles need to stretch back to where they were before I actually injured myself. On occasion I feel slight pain where the new disc is but nothing like it was before. I just wish Physical Therapy was included in this study. I go to see my doctor for my 6 week on the 6th of OCT. I am going to ask him what I could do. I feel the need to stretch and bend. As of right now I have not been given any exercises. I feel that to do some stretches or something may get rid of these spasms and possibly get rid of the occasional L4/5 pain.