ALIF -- Scheduled 6/30/11

[karen605]

Hello everyone,
I am having a ALIF surgery on June 30th. I have DDD and a bulging disc that is protruding and I also have a annular tear .. I have had back pain for ten years and six month's of nerve pain down my left leg. I have tried all the shots and my pain meds do not even work. I was floored when my doctor told me what surgery I should have. I was told that my disc has slipped forward and is pressing on a nerve and that spinal canal is starting narrow. The surgery will be on my L5-S1.
I have a mild thoracic curve, and my L4 has started to fuse itself (?????)
I am scared I feel foolish for being scared my 11 year had a craniotomy at age 8 for chiari and a sryinx. I am 40 I feel no choice but to do this I can't live like this in this much pain. Also my right leg has started to hurt down to my big right toe can you have nerve pain in both leg's. Any advice on post op , or anything related to this surgery would be so helpful..
Thanks,
Karen

[Catherine]

Hi Karen,

I too have had an ALIF recommended. I haven't decided but I'm very interested in any information out there. I wish you the best of luck with everything! Catherine

[karen605]

Hi Catherine,
Thanks for the reply. I will be having the surgery June 30th . I will keep you posted if you like .
Karen

[Gilbert P]

Hey Catherine

Have you checked out any Colorado Surgeons?

I was advised to have fusion and now having something totaly diffrent.not ADR

Gil

[runagain]

Karen,

Welcome.
Yes, you can have nerve pain, numbness in both legs. I get the right toe pain and it feels like someone is putting a knife into my toe. Sometimes the other toes are involved.
I got up from my bed today and didn't realize my left leg was partially numb and so I nearly fell as my leg and foot was numb and it was like having a wood foot.
Good luck on the surgery. Not too many days for you.
Don't worry. I had an artificial disc put in three years ago and it is the same approach as the ALIF. It is tough, but you can do it I am sure.


R

[karen605]

Thanks runagain,
Yes ,I have felt like I was dragging a tree stump. Thanks for the support. I guess I am also worried because I had no reflex in left leg ( the knee tap) worried about how much nerve damage I have.
I will be glad when the date gets here. I am a very strong person I have overcome so much after many bad falls through the years. So I am ready as I will ever be, after reading post on here I know a little more of what post op will be like.
Thanks,
Karen

[Catherine]

Hi Karen,

That would be really great if you could keep me posted on your surgery! I will be thinking of you on the 30th.

Catherine

[Catherine]

Hi Gilbert,

I read on here that your surgery was finally approved! That's a great thing as it sounds as if you have been dealing with this for a long time. What is it that you are having done? I think it was your post that had Dr Pettine in Colorado in it? I did look up his website and got very curious about him and his facility. Is that where you are going? Do you have a date yet? I'm so glad to have people to talk to about this! It feels like like i've been living on another planet for years, the pain planet I suppose.

Catherine

[runagain]

Karen,

No problem. I keep having these symptoms come and go. Sometimes the toes will bother me and then the plantar fascia (bottom of heel) will hurt a lot. The worse pain however is the back pain I have. I guess I am just lucky to have this in both legs, most people, I believe, have it in one leg.
It feels kind of funny when I get up and fall. The first time it happened, I was really scared. Now I just try not to fall. You can laugh even when you are in pain.
Today, I was sleeping on top of my covers and woke up and then almost went splat.
I don't know about you, but I had a positive EMG/nerve conduction test last year and it showed radiculopathy in both my legs and hopefully it is not any permanent nerve damage. From talking with the doctors, I have a good chance it will be okay.

Regarding your surgery, just be prepared for the surgery and get your house in order. I got all nervous before my first back surgery. Too much nervous energy. It helps to get someone to help you with the cleaning and cooking when you get home. I don't know if you have had any major surgery but for me, waking up from surgery, I could not believe how weak I was. So don't be too brave because a lot of us on here have gone through this and it gets better week by week, month after month. AND everyone heals at different rates.

R

[karen605]

Hi Karen,

I too have had an ALIF recommended. I haven't decided but I'm very interested in any information out there. I wish you the best of luck with everything! Catherine

Hi Catherine, I sent you a friend request I will keep you updated. Thanks for keeping me in your thought's.