Hello everyone...(ALIF or another microdiscectomy?)

**mark kim** · 06-10-2010, 06:39 PM

Hi my name is Mark Kim and I wanted to introduce myself to everyone. I have been suffering from back pain since the ago of 19. I had a lifting accident that caused my l5-s1 disc to herniate. I have tried all conservative therapies from then on until in 2005 my disc herniated further resulting in emergency surgery because I had cauda equina syndrome. I had a microdisectomy done. However, I have been suffering still but at least the cauda equnia was resolved. For the last 5 years I have consulted with many doctors about the lingering sciatic pain down the leg but have not had any answers. Only recently I went in for another consultation with a neurosurgeon to find out I had a annulus fissure. Now I am I don't know what to do. The neurosurgeon gave me several options to correct the problem. He told me I could have a ALIF or another microdisectomy in which they would try to reseal the fissure. The dilemna I am facing is the ALIF I have been told would be 99% successful but the future side effects everyone knows and the re-exploration and sealing the disc has a 70% success rate. Has anyone been in this situtation that can offer some good advice? Oh yeah, i have been told I am not a good candidate for ADR for multiple reasons.

**Gilbert P** · 06-10-2010, 06:53 PM

Hi Mark And

To SPS we are here to help. I also did my l5-S1 16 years ago and did very well until the last couple of years.

You should get as many opinions as possible and study the conditions of your spine.There is a solution for your condition
Its up to you to find the correct procedure and surgeon, ask lots of questions and do your research.

Keep Us Posted Others will chime in soon

Nice To Meet You

Gil

**KBear** · 06-10-2010, 06:54 PM

Hi, I'm sorry you find yourself in the back pain world; but you are in the right place for answers. I did not have leg pain with my issues, so I really don't know anything about that. I know fusions get a really bad rap, but honestly, if it will help you and give you 10 or more years of relief, then it's worth it. I would rather have some relief and need more down the road than not have any relief. There are also many cases of people who had ADR and still had further degeneration, so there is no cure all out there. It sounds like you are doing the right things 1) getting multiple opinions 2) research 3) ask why the dr wants to do a certain procedure. I know it's not an easy thing to willing sign up for back surgery, it's not like other surgeries where it's life or death if you don't have it. You have to just become your own advocate and make the best decision you can with the information you have. Good Luck, Kathy

**mark kim** · 07-22-2010, 10:43 PM

I just had another consultation today with another doctor here in NY. He recommended that I get a ALIF done and if the nerve pain resolves they don't have to do a nerve decompression surgery. The doctor stated that within two days after the ALIF i'll know if the lumbar decompression surgery is necessary. There is some light at the end of tunnel. I'm just nervous about getting a fusion done.

**ajj1001** · 07-23-2010, 04:09 AM

Hi Mark, if its the right way forward for you then you'll get through it ok. I had a posterior fusion just over a year ago. The actual op wasn't that bad and my pain was managed well afterwards so I was home and comfy pretty quickly (make sure you discuss post op pain management before you go in and are sure they are going to take care of you). Getting the right thing done for you is the most important thing to find out.

**Keano16** · 07-23-2010, 07:17 AM

Some surgeons often say that fusion will not help leg pain (radiculopathy)...

What did your surgeon do to see that this exact disc causes radiculopathy and your pain? Did he ordered selective nerve block, sympatetic block, intraforaminal infiltration, discography?

**KBear** · 07-23-2010, 08:13 AM

I know going into surgery is not fun, but at least there is a solution! Read the post op tips thread on here, lots of good information. I second discussing post op pain management. If I knew then what I know now, I would have demanded and epidural during recovery (I was absolutely miserable, they just couldn't get my pain down to a bearable level for days). Don't want to scare you, but a few of us have had horrid pain after that was not well managed; others felt fine- but you don't know which category you are in until recovery, so better safe than sorry.

**Katie** · 07-23-2010, 01:39 PM

Kathy, I would recommend an epidural both during AND after surgery. It seemed to work wonders for me, at least.

mark kim, I don't quite understand what you mean about the ALIF not providing any decompression. Maybe I'm just thinking of the decompression provided when the space between the vertebrae is restored and the herniated disc is removed. That relieved the pressure and pain being caused by the bad disc and by any bone spurs that my surgeon removed during the surgery.

Are you thinking of decompression in another area, from another approach?

**KBear** · 07-23-2010, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Katie

Kathy, I would recommend an epidural both during AND after surgery. It seemed to work wonders for me, at least.

mark kim, I don't quite understand what you mean about the ALIF not providing any decompression. Maybe I'm just thinking of the decompression provided when the space between the vertebrae is restored and the herniated disc is removed. That relieved the pressure and pain being caused by the bad disc and by any bone spurs that my surgeon removed during the surgery.

Are you thinking of decompression in another area, from another approach?

I was thinking that's what they did but wasn't sure if it was done during too, thanks for the info.