Back Surgery - Have some questions

[Guest guest]

I have been having back pain that has been getting more and more

severe. I had an x-ray, therapy, an MRI and saw the neurosurgeon

today. He said the L4-L5 disc is herniated, but that isn't my

biggest problem. He said the joint that holds the disc has gone

bad. He said the joint is spread apart and it can no longer support

the disk. He said that to fix this, he has to operate through the

back, replace the disk and use rods and screws to stabalize the

spine. He said I would be hospitalized for 2-3 days and would start

therapy immediately after this.

I always think of my questions AFTER I leave a dr's office. I was

hoping some of you might be able to answer from your experience.

This dr did my cervical fusion about 5 years ago, and that was done

through the front of my neck. He said this would be done

abdominally if only the disc were bad, but needs to be done through

my back instead. I do trust him.

Have any of you ever had this surgery? Does it have a specific name

that I could look up on the internet? Is there a name for this

problem other than a herniated disc, when the joint is bad? Are

there other surgical options? I am currently scheduled for the

surgery on Dec 13th.

Thanks,

Miriam