Wife considering piriformis release surgery

[MikeB]

See details below in signature, but it's been 11 years of severe pain. Has not been able to drive in 5 years. Hospitalized 4 days, now in rehab two weeks. PT there has to be gentle, question any benefit. Some comments about Rolfing, or Graston-technique chiropractic...
Appointment #2 this afternoon coming up with surgeon Dr Yue, may know more then. He has done several piriformis releases.
Any comments? Wife is scared of surgery, but has no life with pain. We're new grandparents. Want to act that way .
Mike

[Kimberly]

Hi Mike (and Diane),

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear how much pain your wife has been in (and for so long.) It sounds like you've both been through a lot. There are many wonderfully kind and knowledgeable folks on this site that I'm sure will chime in with their thoughts. I cannot speak to your wife's specific issues as my problems are different, BUT I can relate to her fear of surgery. I also spent years in pain and had finally gotten to the point where my life consisted of work (which was REALLY tough to manage) and bed. It sounds like you're trying all of your conservative options which is good as surgery really should be a last choice. However, knowing 'when to say when' you've had enough is realllllly hard and a different journey for every spine patient. Have a look around the site and you'll find lots of great information and wonderful success stories. Lots of inspiration! I am almost 3 months post surgery and although I have a ways to go, I am already WAY better than I was before surgery (and very happy I took the plunge).

Here's to a better tomorrow,

Kimberly

[MikeB]

Thanks Kimberly! And my best for your continued progress. Surgeon today asked Diane to repeat the lidocaine block, to prove piriformis is still the culprit. Once we get that done, maybe the path will be clear.

Mike

[Justin]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

Thanks Kimberly! And my best for your continued progress. Surgeon today asked Diane to repeat the lidocaine block, to prove piriformis is still the culprit. Once we get that done, maybe the path will be clear.

Mike

The above sounds like a great plan. Dr. Yue is a very well-respected surgeon with a lot of experience. He'll get your wife back to being a grandparent. Keep us posted on how the diagnostic block goes.

[MikeB]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!



The above sounds like a great plan. Dr. Yue is a very well-respected surgeon with a lot of experience. He'll get your wife back to being a grandparent. Keep us posted on how the diagnostic block goes.

Thanks for the personal greeting, Justin - you must be busy! At the appointment yesterday, I confirmed that Dr. Yue trained under Dr. Bohlman in Cleveland, so am happy about that.

[Katie]

I can so relate to wanting to be 'performing' grandparents My first granddaughter was born just shy of one month after we went to Brazil for three level surgery. When I first came home, all I could do was hold her gently while sitting and wish for the day when I could actually pick her up and walk with her.

Yesterday, just over a year later, I was babysitting for two days straight and chasing a very active toddler upstairs and down and crawling across the back lawn on my hands and knees, playing 'horsie' While she didn't actually sit on my back, I did a lot of 'trotting' on all fours pretending to chase her. Then we went on an hour long walk. Two years ago I was bedridden like your wife.

While I'm not familiar with your wife's possible upcoming procedure, I wish you all the happiness and giggles a new baby can bring, while you both take her for walks.

[MikeB]

I will be SOOOO sure to relay this to my wife later today! Thanks Katie, and don't "horse around" too much

Mike

[Katie]

LOL Mike, I have three of the real things in my back yard...and hoping to add a pony for the granddaughter That's the kind of horsing around I have to be careful about

[Katie]

Our present 'kids'

I'll try and download yesterday's pics of my reason to get up and going each day...hope to see some pictures of your grandbaby soon too

I hope this gives your wife lots of inspiration to go forward, Mike. That's what we're all here for.

[lanzera999]

Hi Mike, what hospital is Dr. Yue located?

Thanks!