Kind regards to everyone... (discectomy)

**Keano16** · 08-10-2009, 06:38 PM

Regards to all members, some of you maybe read my story in other forums, some of you not, so lets go on...

I am 47 years old women, with back problems in last 10 years. "Standard" sciatica problems during whole lifetime. I went to physiatrists, orthopeadics, chiro's, neurosurgeons...

During all this years (10), I received tons of injections, which all helped, and I was always able to work, sleep, sit down, walk for few km's (miles).

But with time, my conditions was getting worse and worse. I started to have constant leg and middle-right back pain.

My doctor sent me to a MRI and told me I must see a neurosurgeon. Immediately I found best neurosurgeon in my country and went to see him. After looking at my images, after just 2 minutes he scheduled me to a surgery. That was around 18 months ago. I was operated on levels L3/4 (disc extrusion).

I was so happy, I was hopping this is the end. I will continue with my life... BUT... It all started wrong during rehab. I was not able to exercise, go to pool, sit, stand, anything. I was just lying in bed and getting injections for 3 weeks.

Also, important thing to notice is that I had raised body temperature from day of my first surgery. I have around 37.5 celsius, and normal is bellow 36.9.

I scheduled appointment with my neurosurgeon, he looked into new MRI and he told "You can go back home, all is all right"... He didn't even listened to me when I told I cannot walk or sit down. He just told "You need to wait a little longer".

After that I seen him aproximately 5-7 times, every time he just said "I am sorry".

Aproximately 15 months after that first surgery, I decided to change hospital and neurosurgeon. That was very hard decision, because everyone told he is THE BEST.

My son found me one of the best neurosurgeons in this part of Europe, scheduled me an appointment... This one is really good, skilled and perspective. Educated at AlphKlinik Germany, Cleveland Spine Center, and some other respectful spine centres.

After seeing me for 2 minutes he started laughing. His words are:
"You should never underwent a surgery".
I told him: "Doctor, they tell me all is right, but I cannot live with this pains".
He told: "How can they say its all right, when it isn't"

Immediatly he scheduled me for a endoscopic discectomy L4 left and told me "This can help you only 10%, your spine problem is much more complexe".

Indeed, after surgery I feeld 10% better, leg pain is gone, but knife is still in my low back

.

Few days after surgery he made a new MRI, which shown:
HIZ, High-Intensity zone in L4/5.
This reffers to annular or radial tear.

I studied this condition very well, I ordered articles from Briting Journal of Radiology (Bogduk And Aprill's article) and I found out HIZ is predictive sign for Grade 4 or even Grade 5 annular tear.

I am just not sure is it possible that HIZ causes such a terrible pains.

1st surgery November 2007: Extrusio disci i.v. LIII-IV 1.dex.
Surgery: Interlaminectomy LIII-IV dex., Ablatio disci i.v., Foraminotomy radicis L4 dex.

2nd surgery Februarry 2009
Surgery type: Endoscopic discectomy and decompression L4 root right

3rd surgery (in September 2009) - waiting !!!!
Surgery type: PLDD for treating my discogenic back pain. According to study on 40 patients, success rate is 88%.

My current condition: constant middle back pain. Not able to walk, sit or lay in bed for more than 15 minutes.
Life almost destroyed, looking forward to seeing my neurosurgeon in 2 weeks time.

**KBear** · 08-10-2009, 06:54 PM

What is PLDD? I haven't heard of it and am just curious.

to the forum! I had a grade 5 tear in my L4/5, DDD and moderate arthritis in my facets prior to my ADR.

**Keano16** · 08-10-2009, 06:56 PM

PLDD is stands for Percutaneous Laser Disc-Decompression.

**Justin** · 08-10-2009, 06:56 PM

Keano,

Welcome to the Forum!

I'm sorry that your spine problems bring you here, but we are here to support you. Please let us know how things go with your neurosurgeon appointment in two weeks.

I wish you the very best. :thumpup:

**Keano16** · 08-11-2009, 08:48 AM

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

Yes, PLDD is safe and effective procedure for MANY cases. Let me know if you need any info about it.

I have a full article " Twenty-three years of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) – State of the art and future prospects", so if anyone needs just beep me.

**KenG** · 08-11-2009, 01:48 PM

Hi Keano,

greeting from Japan

**KBear** · 08-11-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by KenG

Hi Keano,

greeting from Japan

Hey Ken, how are you? Haven't seen you around lately, had been wondering about you. Hope all is well.

**KenG** · 08-12-2009, 06:48 AM

Hi KBear,
thanks ! I am trying to get ready for surgery, financially also

for me, it takes time to read and understand other topics, so sometimes
I leave. It may make me think too much sometimes.
anyway, arigatou　ありがとう

**KBear** · 08-12-2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by KenG

Hi KBear,
thanks ! I am trying to get ready for surgery, financially also

for me, it takes time to read and understand other topics, so sometimes
I leave. It may make me think too much sometimes.
anyway, arigatou　ありがとう

I understand. I wish there was some way that the forum had where you could read the posts in your native language.