L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

[Guest guest]

My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon feels

that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve pressure

will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already has a

" flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits the

pavement when he walks.

He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Carol

[Guest guest]

Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and went

back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a hospital

stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work about 3

weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you will need

to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and still in

pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a tremendous

amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a fusion as

well????

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon feels

that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve pressure

will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already has a

" flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits the

pavement when he walks.

He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Carol

[Guest guest]

This would be the entire row -- L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1. The doctor said no

fusion or hardware would be necessary. Of course, who knows what he'll find once

he gets in there.

His PA says there have never been any surprises in five years that she's been

working for him. The MRI tells him everything, she said.

This surgeon operated on my husband's urologist in November. The urologist was

back in his office (off narcotics) in six days. Of course, the urologist is

probably 25 years younger than my husband plus I don't know how many vertebrae

were involved in his case.

Thanks.

Carol

_____________________________________________________

>

> Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and went

back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a hospital

stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work about 3

weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you will need

to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and still in

pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a tremendous

amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a fusion as

well????

>

> Kate Fontaine

>

> " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> -Dr. Seuss

>

>

>

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> spinal problems

> Cc:

> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

>

>  

> My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

>

> Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Forgot to mention that the surgeon said this is an overnight stay in the

hospital (possibly two nights " if he needs it " ).

Carol

__________________________________________________

> >

> > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

> >

> > Kate Fontaine

> >

> > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> > -Dr. Seuss

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

> > spinal problems

> > Cc:

> > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

> >

> >

> >  

> > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

> >

> > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

> >

> > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

> >

> > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Carol

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

A laminectomy should be an almost painless recovery, unless there were other

issues involved, provided it is only a few levels. Laminectomies to the extent

your husband is having Carol, would mean a longer recovery due to the sheer

length of the incision, muscular and ligamentous dissection. It's the same as

for one level, just multiplied by 18 levels. I assume that he's having this

surgery done for stenosis It sounds to me  like he has bony arthritic type

deposits on the foramen of each vertebrae that is pinching the spinal nerves. A

laminectomy will alleviate the nerve impingement symptoms by removing the

external portion of that bone. Think of what a filled dog bone looks like...if

you remove the top part of the bone the filling has all that room to expand and

pressure is relieved.

--- Babbitt

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 7:34 PM

 

This would be the entire row -- L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1. The doctor said no

fusion or hardware would be necessary. Of course, who knows what he'll find once

he gets in there.

His PA says there have never been any surprises in five years that she's been

working for him. The MRI tells him everything, she said.

This surgeon operated on my husband's urologist in November. The urologist was

back in his office (off narcotics) in six days. Of course, the urologist is

probably 25 years younger than my husband plus I don't know how many vertebrae

were involved in his case.

Thanks.

Carol

_____________________________________________________

>

> Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> Kate Fontaine

>

> " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> -Dr. Seuss

>

>

>

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> spinal problems

> Cc:

> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

>

>  

> My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

>

> Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, . You are exactly correct. He has spinal stenosis and foraminal

stenosis, the latter especially at L5 left. The surgeon said that this procedure

would alleviate the sciatic nerve impingements causing leg pain, butt pain and

general sciatica.

Just curious, how do you compute 18 levels? I thought it would be 6 levels -- L1

thru L5 + S1.

Dog bone -- great analogy! Thanks.

Carol

______________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> > spinal problems

>

> > Cc:

>

> > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >  

>

> > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > Carol

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

The most I can do is wish you luck. My recovery was more complicated b/c of the

tumor and compression on the spinal column. Maybe it won't be too bad but I

imagine the incison is going to hurt,.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: Babbitt <tpowell1977@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 7:59 PM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

A laminectomy should be an almost painless recovery, unless there were other

issues involved, provided it is only a few levels. Laminectomies to the extent

your husband is having Carol, would mean a longer recovery due to the sheer

length of the incision, muscular and ligamentous dissection. It's the same as

for one level, just multiplied by 18 levels. I assume that he's having this

surgery done for stenosis It sounds to me  like he has bony arthritic type

deposits on the foramen of each vertebrae that is pinching the spinal nerves. A

laminectomy will alleviate the nerve impingement symptoms by removing the

external portion of that bone. Think of what a filled dog bone looks like...if

you remove the top part of the bone the filling has all that room to expand and

pressure is relieved.

--- Babbitt

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 7:34 PM

 

This would be the entire row -- L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1. The doctor said no

fusion or hardware would be necessary. Of course, who knows what he'll find once

he gets in there.

His PA says there have never been any surprises in five years that she's been

working for him. The MRI tells him everything, she said.

This surgeon operated on my husband's urologist in November. The urologist was

back in his office (off narcotics) in six days. Of course, the urologist is

probably 25 years younger than my husband plus I don't know how many vertebrae

were involved in his case.

Thanks.

Carol

_____________________________________________________

>

> Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> Kate Fontaine

>

> " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> -Dr. Seuss

>

>

>

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> spinal problems

> Cc:

> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

>

>  

> My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

>

> Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My mistake, I thought you said T1 through S1.

--- Babbitt

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 8:07 PM

 

Thank you, . You are exactly correct. He has spinal stenosis and foraminal

stenosis, the latter especially at L5 left. The surgeon said that this procedure

would alleviate the sciatic nerve impingements causing leg pain, butt pain and

general sciatica.

Just curious, how do you compute 18 levels? I thought it would be 6 levels -- L1

thru L5 + S1.

Dog bone -- great analogy! Thanks.

Carol

______________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done

and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> > spinal problems

>

> > Cc:

>

> > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >  

>

> > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > Carol

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Kate,

That makes sense. I thought there had to be more going on than just a

laminectomy.

--- Babbitt

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 7:34 PM

 

This would be the entire row -- L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1. The doctor said no

fusion or hardware would be necessary. Of course, who knows what he'll find once

he gets in there.

His PA says there have never been any surprises in five years that she's been

working for him. The MRI tells him everything, she said.

This surgeon operated on my husband's urologist in November. The urologist was

back in his office (off narcotics) in six days. Of course, the urologist is

probably 25 years younger than my husband plus I don't know how many vertebrae

were involved in his case.

Thanks.

Carol

_____________________________________________________

>

> Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> Kate Fontaine

>

> " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> -Dr. Seuss

>

>

>

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> spinal problems

> Cc:

> Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

>

>  

> My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " . Two

months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with

the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by

the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is

not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

>

> Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

katey,

Thank you.

Carol

_____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two done and

went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks and a

hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to work

about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well you

will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery and

still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a

tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need a

fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> > spinal problems

>

> > Cc:

>

> > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >  

>

> > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of

this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for

a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > Carol

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

[Guest guest]

Carol,If I where you and your husband I would be running away from this neurosurgeon ASAP and getting at minimum, one other opinion and preferably more.You are talking about the entire lumbar spine when you say laminectomy of L1-S1 and your husband is likely to end up in far worse shape after this than before.Laminectomy is the removal of the entire bony lamina, a portion of the enlarged facet joints and the thickened ligaments overlying the spinal cord and nerves.That leaves very little of the vertebrae to support the lumbar spine and severely compromises the vertebrae, likely causing slippage of the vertebrae, pressure on nerves and requiring a fusion in the not to distant future.I'm assuming that your husband has had at least 1 MRI

done. Has he had any epidural injections or any diagnostic injections done to determine where the pain is coming from, what level or levels is causing the pain?Just because the MRI shows stenosis at all these levels doesn't mean that they are causing the problems that he is having and it really is important to find out exactly what level is causing the problems and not just assume that the stenosis in all levels is the problem.L4/L5/S1 are usually the levels that are related to foot drop as well as sciatica and it the "tennis ball" treatment is relieving pain, it very well be piriformis sydrome, but it can work to provide some relief for sciatica as well.This doctor may come highly recommended, but there are too many questions that I see to go ahead with this surgery without at least one other opinion.As for the length

of time for recovery from this, your husband is looking at a lot longer than 2 weeks and any doctor that tells you that his patients are back at work in a desk job after that length of time is really feeding you a bull line and just not telling you the truth.One can not return to sitting at a desk job 2 weeks after spine surgery, you are not supposed to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time and thats pushing it, for several weeks after this type of surgery. and that's with just 1 level being done. and the odds of a construction worker having spine surgery and returning to that line of work is not very high, and with the number of levels your husband is having done, there is no way they could.I know EMT's that have had 1 laminectomy done and where not able to return to being an EMT because they could no longer lift the weigh that was needed to do their

job.You are talking about all lumbar levels.The more levels being done, the longer the recovery. And with this many, the surgeon is probably going to use 1 long incision which would be several inches long. The more tissue, muscle cut, the longer the recovery.The usual post up is no bending, no twisting, not turning, no stooping, no reaching further than arms length, no lifting anything over a couple of pounds for at least 2 weeks, and then a slow return to activity with about 6 10 weeks of physical therapy to strengthen the core muscles, learn to properly move and do things with proper body mechanics, and to fully recover from major spine surgery.It can take 6 months and up to a year to fully recover from this and your husband will no doubt be restricted as to how much weight he can pick up for the rest of his life because

of so much of each of his vertebrae being removed.You are going to need help for several months, especially if you are physically disabled. I'm sorry, but in my opinion and unfortunately I have experience as both a spine patient and working for a spine surgeon, your husband's doctor is really not telling you the truth about this surgery and recovery and is putting your husband's spine in severe compromise by doing this surgery.If I where you and your husband, I would not go ahead with this surgery this week, but seek other opinions as fast as possible.I would get an opinion with an orthopedic spine surgeon that specializes in spines and then get another one.It is true that the longer you wait the more risk to develop permanent nerve damage and the foot drop, but at the same time, the surgery presented to you doesn't

sound like the best option and you need other opinions first.There are many doctors out their with so called "good reputations" that really aren't that good when checks deeply into them. How much one can find out about a doctor's reputation isn't always all that you need.They may be very good in certain types of spine surgery and not in others, and this sounds like one of those not so good others.Good luck with your decision and I wish you and your husband the best, but I really think you and your husband need to postpone this surgery and get some other opinions ASAP first.FranFrom: cwarman89134

<cwarman89134@...>Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy This WeekSpinal Stenosis Treatment Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 7:45 PM

My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full "drop foot". He already has a "flop foot" on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits the pavement when he walks.

He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually "walk it off". Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by the "tennis ball" trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Carol

[Guest guest]

Carol, did he see the other 2 surgeons in 2007 or in the last few weeks?Where their surgical opinions the same as now and based on the Nov MRI or an MRI in 2007?If those opinions where based on MRI's done in 2007, then they are no longer relevant opinions. Those opinions need to be based on the present MRI, the situation at present and the exhibiting symptoms.You are meeting with the PA prior to surgery and not the surgeon himself? Where is the surgeon in all of this. He is the one you should be meeting with prior to surgery and he is the one that you should be discussing all of this with, not a PA.If that is what I was presented with, prior to my spine surgery, meeting with the PA before

surgery in 2 days and not the spine surgeon who was actually going to do the surgery, I would have walked out the door and found another surgeon.My questions are asked to the spine surgeon in his office prior to my surgery and if I am passed of to the lower level for questions and meetings prior to surgery, that is a bad sign and a red flag goes up to me.The doctor works for me, I don't work for him and if he is going to take his tools and cut me open, regardless of the type of surgery, he has to make himself available to me for questions, explanations etc. If he is too busy and I have to settle for someone else, then he can stay busy like that and operate on others, but no way would he be touching me in the OR, let alone operate.If that is part of his reputation, it isn't a good one, and believe me, I've been around hospitals, worked in many of them and worked for

many a doctor, including surgeons and I have never, in my life, over 40 years working within the medical field have I ever known a surgeon of any kind, including spine surgeons, who pass off their patients to a PA to talk to in the office prior to surgery.Good luck Carol, but I'd be running the other way and sure wouldn't allow any doctor who is doing this to operate on anyone in my family either.Odds are the PA will tell you that there is nothing to worry about in terms of spine instability with this surgery. It would appear that they have no concern for that, besides, when it does happen, they just do more surgery on your husband and make more money. I mentioned this surgery to my own spine surgeon today, while working and his mouth fell open and couldn't believe that any spine surgeon would do this without fusing the spine. He also said that there was a

high probability that in the end, your husband will have a fusion done in the OR as the spine will not stay stable and collapse during the surgery.I do wish you and your husband the best, but all I can see is this is a set up for future surgery that could have been prevented if this surgery wasn't done.Again my best and good luck.FranFrom: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy This WeekSpinal Stenosis Treatment Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 5:26 PM

Fran,

This is not a new problem. He has had sciatica since 2007 and has seen two other surgeons (one neurosurgeon and one orthopedist who specializes in spines). He has also had epidurals (2 rounds) which did not work. He had an MRI in 2007 and a second MRI in November 2010.

So this neurosurgeon is actually the third surgeon we've seen. The others both said if the non-surgical treatments didn't work, then surgery was the only other option. We are going with this surgeon because of his reputation and because the "flop foot" symptom has started within the past 2-3 months.

We are meeting with the surgeon's PA tomorrow and I will ask about vertebrae slippage and future fusion potential.

Thanks for your input.

Carol

__________________________________________________

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy This Week

> Spinal Stenosis Treatment

> Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 7:45 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Â

>

>

>

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>

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>

>

>

> My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full "drop foot". He already has a "flop foot" on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits the pavement when he walks.

>

>

>

> He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually "walk it off". Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated by the "tennis ball" trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt pain.

>

>

>

> Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

>

> know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

>

>

> Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

>

>

> Carol

>

[Guest guest]

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I had two

done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2 weeks

and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I went to

work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled as well

you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from surgery

and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken

a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row would need

a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

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> > >

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> >

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> > >

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> >

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> >

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> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

I personally would ask at least one additional neurosurgin for an opinion. I had

T2 & T3 laminectomy and b/c it is high I have good stability but the " sawed "

bone pain is very much there and I can pinpoint exacally where it was done and

did so and it surprised my neurosurgen.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 8:26 PM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2

weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

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> >

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> >

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> > >

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> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

We've had two other opinions on the general issue of surgery in 2007 based on

the same symptoms. The MRI done in 2007 and the one done in 2010 were very

similar.

We have not asked another surgeon about the fusion issue. We are scheduled to

meet with his PA tomorrow (Wednesday) and I have requested that the doctor

" join " us. I intend to ask him about this.

Thanks.

Carol

______________________________________________

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?ÃÆ'‚ 

I had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for

2 weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Kate Fontaine

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > -Dr. Seuss

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > spinal problems

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Cc:

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > ÃÆ'‚ 

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The

neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that

the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " .

He already has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the

foot hits the pavement when he walks.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it

off " . Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the

appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been

ameliorated by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon

says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for

the butt pain.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with

laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help

for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work

in two weeks (those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers)

in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a

year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two

physicians that we know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Carol

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

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> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

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> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Every time that you have surgery on a disc it can get worse it can weaken either

the one below or the one above. A fusion will hold you together but sometimesa

fusion will stabalize the whole area. I had 3 regulat operation then the last 2

were stabilization procedure and the last operation was to remove all the

hardware. I am proof that a fusion will work. It worked very well for me but

after 5 years I began to have problems that were telling mo to havethe fusion

removed so I did just that and I have been fine since then.

Janice

L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > ÂÂÂ

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The

neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that

the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " .

He already has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the

foot hits the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it

off " . Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the

appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been

ameliorated by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon

says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for

the butt pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with

laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help

for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work

in two weeks (those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers)

in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a

year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two

physicians that we know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

Carol you cannot ask enough questions when it comes to your body. Especially

your back it will tell you for the rest of your life on a daily basis whether

your decision was wright or wrong so get as many opinions as you can.

Janice

L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > ÃÆ'‚ÂÂÂ

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The

neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that

the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " .

He already has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the

foot hits the pavement when he walks.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it

off " . Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the

appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been

ameliorated by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon

says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for

the butt pain.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with

laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help

for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work

in two weeks (those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers)

in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a

year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two

physicians that we know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > > Carol

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Just what is the definition of an " unstable " spine?

In a message dated 1/19/2011 7:55:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tpowell1977@... writes:

Good Morning Carol,

You can do a a fusion yes, but your husband's spine in not unstable which

is what fusion is generally for. Laminectomy is not so much a procedure in

and of itself. It can be such as in your husband's case, where that is all

he is specifically going in for. A laminectomy is almost ALWAYS done in

ANY spine surgery. All is means is the removal of a small area of bone which

allows access to where the surgeon wants to go. A discectomy can't be done

without removing this bone first. It's like taking off the car tire to

change the brake pads. It's not really a procedure in and of itself. In your

husband's case it is because removal of this bone is therepeutic. It's being

done to relieve the pressure on the nerves.

To my knowledge, removing the lamina will not lead to instability of the

spine. It is discectomy that is the big spine destabilizer.

Good luck to your husband!

--- Babbitt

>

> From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

> Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

> spinal problems

> Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 8:07 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Â

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Thank you, . You are exactly correct. He has spinal stenosis and

foraminal stenosis, the latter especially at L5 left. The surgeon said that

this procedure would alleviate the sciatic nerve impingements causing leg

pain, butt pain and general sciatica.

>

>

>

> Just curious, how do you compute 18 levels? I thought it would be 6

levels -- L1 thru L5 + S1.

>

>

>

> Dog bone -- great analogy! Thanks.

>

>

>

> Carol

>

> ______________________________________________

>

>

>

>

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row? I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy

for 2 weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming

home. So I went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you

are diasbled as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8

weeks out from surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on

my T2 & T3 vertebra has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would

think a whole spine row would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > ÂÂÂ

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The

neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that

the

nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " .

He already has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how

the foot hits the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it

off " . Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the

appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely

been ameliorated by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome.

The surgeon says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be

working for the butt pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with

laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have

help

for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to

work in two weeks (those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction

workers) in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these

procedures a year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good

reputation. Two physicians that we know of had their backs done by this

surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hmmm..just wondering, since my spinal surgeon says that while the rads are

ugly, my spine is " stable " and thus he's the first to say " You really don'

t want to even think about a fusion. "

Which is nice, other than it leaves a lingering sense of " What can I do to

avoid it becoming UNstable? "

In a message dated 1/19/2011 11:22:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tpowell1977@... writes:

Taken from a webpage:

The vertebral bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments are no longer held

together in a tight and proper fit. The spine is designed to provide

support, structure, and protection

for the body and its organs.

[Guest guest]

Well that ties into my other issue, which is why in almost every case,

those who talk about " pain management " just want to give epidurals? I was

expecting to find a wider range of options in such a speciality, including PT,

balanced use of pain medications, weight control if need be, etc.

I don't' see injections as an answer to lifetime pain and the term " pain

management " made me think that those who talk about that would be into a

much more wide-ranging approach than " Short term " management.

In a message dated 1/19/2011 12:45:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tpowell1977@... writes:

Ah! That is an excellent question. But sadly many people ignore the

reality that you CAN PREVENT spinal instability and you can reverse many of the

SIDE EFFECTS of instability when you do have it.

The only way to maintain stability in your spine is to strengthen your

core muscles. These muscles are not just your abdominals. They are in your

hips, groin, spine, buttocks, back and abs. I can attest to the fact that you

CAN reduce a lot of your pain by doing this. Also, it is common for those

of us who have bad backs to have tight quad muscles as well as others. This

also is a force pulling against the proper alignment of the hips and spine.

This is a commitment that many back pain sufferers ignore or refuse to

challenge themselves with...because it's work and it's hard. But trust me, you

will feel so good when you do! You will especially notice that sleeping is

more comfortable. Even I have gone off the wagon many times, I know it's

hard. Once I worked at it for real, I reaped the benefits quickly and swore

I would NEVER go back to the way I was before, yet here I am.

I went to a physical therapist with a Masters' degree who also employed a

massage therapist as a PT assistant. He also taught yoga, taught you how to

stretch properly (which almost none of us do), cranio-sacral therapy...all

these things as adjunct to my PT. The goal of my PT was strengthening my

core. Many insurances who cover PT will cover the massage therapies when

used in PT. The doc has to write massage therapy on the script for PT. It

usually will say " Strengthen core, increase ROM (range of motion), massage

therapy, hydrotherapy...etc. If your doc didn't write a particular therapy that

you want and your therapist office offers, they can call or fax your doc

and can also work with your insurance co to get the coverage. GOOD physical

therapy IS OUT THERE....but we have to do our part. You HAVE to actually do

the home exercises several times a day...the payoff is huge though when you

find a great reduction in your pain. This is especially true for

folks who have had a fusion like me. All back pain sufferers can prevent

further damage and decrease pain by properly strengthening your core.

--- Babbitt

From: jarcher107@... <jarcher107@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 12:24 PM

Hmmm..just wondering, since my spinal surgeon says that while the rads

are

ugly, my spine is " stable " and thus he's the first to say " You really

don'

t want to even think about a fusion. "

Which is nice, other than it leaves a lingering sense of " What can I do

to

avoid it becoming UNstable? "

In a message dated 1/19/2011 11:22:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tpowell1977@... writes:

Taken from a webpage:

The vertebral bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments are no longer held

together in a tight and proper fit. The spine is designed to provide

support, structure, and protection

for the body and its organs.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

[Guest guest]

Good Morning Carol,

You can do a  a fusion yes, but your husband's spine in not unstable which is

what fusion is generally for. Laminectomy is not so much a procedure in and of

itself. It can be such as in your husband's case, where that is all he is

specifically going in for. A laminectomy is almost ALWAYS done in ANY spine

surgery. All is means is the removal of a small area of bone which allows access

to where the surgeon wants to go. A discectomy can't be done without removing

this bone first. It's like taking off the car tire to change the brake pads.

It's not really a procedure in and of itself. In your husband's case it is

because removal of this bone is therepeutic. It's being done to relieve the

pressure on the nerves.

To my knowledge, removing the lamina will not lead to instability of the spine.

It is discectomy that is the big spine destabilizer.

Good luck to your husband!

--- Babbitt

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 8:26 PM

 

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2

weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

, That is VERY usuaual and definitely the exception to the rule. Many

people have slight differences in their one, muscle and nerve pathology and

physiology, so that's why occasionally these different experiences come up.

--- Babbitt

From: Katey Fontaine <fuzzyfontaine@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

" spinal problems "

<spinal problems >

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 8:32 PM

 

I personally would ask at least one additional neurosurgin for an opinion.

I had T2 & T3 laminectomy and b/c it is high I have good stability but the

" sawed " bone pain is very much there and I can pinpoint exacally where it was

done and did so and it surprised my neurosurgen.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 8:26 PM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2

weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

Oh, and they do not saw the bone in a laminectomy. It's too close to the spinal

nerves. They use a tool called a rongeur to grasp and tear the weal bone of the

lamina.

--- Babbitt

From: Katey Fontaine <fuzzyfontaine@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

" spinal problems "

<spinal problems >

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 8:32 PM

 

I personally would ask at least one additional neurosurgin for an opinion.

I had T2 & T3 laminectomy and b/c it is high I have good stability but the

" sawed " bone pain is very much there and I can pinpoint exacally where it was

done and did so and it surprised my neurosurgen.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 8:26 PM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2

weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

[Guest guest]

While discectomy will definitely lead to the destabilization of the spine, it is

confined to the disc or discs operated on. A fusion will cause destabilization

of the upper and lower adjoining levels. Each vertebrae is slightly different

from the others as they all have their very own " job " and are designed to move a

certain way and bear a certain amount of weight. When a fusion is performed,

those vertebrae don't function anymore. They become a rigid column so all the

motion and weight bearing is constantly transferred to the adjoining

levels...and these guys just aren't designed to handle it. This is where the

biggest problem with fusion lies. You are forever going to live with this which

can cause bulging discs which may necessitate further surgery or intense

myofascial pain due to all your other parts trying to compensate for the changed

movement demands placed on it. This is especially noticeable in the lumbar

spine.

--- Babbitt

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 9:23 PM

 

Every time that you have surgery on a disc it can get worse it can weaken

either the one below or the one above. A fusion will hold you together but

sometimesa fusion will stabalize the whole area. I had 3 regulat operation then

the last 2 were stabilization procedure and the last operation was to remove all

the hardware. I am proof that a fusion will work. It worked very well for me but

after 5 years I began to have problems that were telling mo to havethe fusion

removed so I did just that and I have been fine since then.

Janice

L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > ÂÂÂ

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The

neurosurgeon feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that

the nerve pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " .

He already has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the

foot hits the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it

off " . Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the

appointment with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been

ameliorated by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon

says this is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for

the butt pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with

laminectomies of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help

for me 24/7 for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work

in two weeks (those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers)

in 4-6 weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a

year. We've checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two

physicians that we know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

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> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

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> > >

[Guest guest]

Well that's not quite what they told me.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: Babbitt <tpowell1977@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 7:58 AM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

Oh, and they do not saw the bone in a laminectomy. It's too close to the spinal

nerves. They use a tool called a rongeur to grasp and tear the weal bone of the

lamina.

--- Babbitt

From: Katey Fontaine <fuzzyfontaine@...>

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

" spinal problems "

<spinal problems >

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 8:32 PM

 

I personally would ask at least one additional neurosurgin for an opinion. I had

T2 & T3 laminectomy and b/c it is high I have good stability but the " sawed "

bone pain is very much there and I can pinpoint exacally where it was done and

did so and it surprised my neurosurgen.

Kate Fontaine

" Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

-Dr. Seuss

From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@...>

spinal problems

Cc:

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 8:26 PM

Subject: Re: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

 

,

We've been doing a bit more reading on this procedure and see that it can be

done with or without fusion. This surgeon says that he will do it (Thursday)

WITHOUT fusion. We were wondering about the stability of the spine after a

laminectomy at 6 levels without fusion.

Do you know anything about this issue? Thanks.

Carol

____________________________________________________

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Are you talking just two vertebra or the entire row?  I

had two done and went back to a desk job (after inpatient physical therapy for 2

weeks and a hospital stay for a week also) with in 3 days of coming home. So I

went to work about 3 weeks later. I would honestly say that if you are diasbled

as well you will need to find care for the both of you. I am 8 weeks out from

surgery and still in pain from only having a laminetamy on my T2 & T3 vertebra

has taken a tremendous amount of time to heal. I would think a whole spine row

would need a fusion as well????

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Kate Fontaine

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > " Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. "

>

> >

>

> > > -Dr. Seuss

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > From: cwarman89134 <cwarman89134@>

>

> >

>

> > > spinal problems

>

> >

>

> > > Cc:

>

> >

>

> > > Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 4:38 PM

>

> >

>

> > > Subject: L1-S1 Laminectomy this week

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >  

>

> >

>

> > > My husband is having an L1-S1 laminectomy this Thursday. The neurosurgeon

feels that the sooner it is done the better the chances are that the nerve

pressure will diminish and that he won't develop a full " drop foot " . He already

has a " flop foot " on the left side, whereby he can't control how the foot hits

the pavement when he walks.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > He also has leg pain when arising from bed. He can usually " walk it off " .

Two months ago he developed butt pain (which caused us to make the appointment

with the neurosurgeon, in the first place) but that has largely been ameliorated

by the " tennis ball " trick used for Piriformis syndrome. The surgeon says this

is not Piriformis but the tennis ball thing seems to be working for the butt

pain.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Anyway, I was just wondering what people's experiences with laminectomies

of this length are. I am physically disabled and we will have help for me 24/7

for a month. The surgeon says some of his patients go back to work in two weeks

(those with desk jobs, I guess) and the rest (construction workers) in 4-6

weeks. He says he does 700 (that's not a typo) of these procedures a year. We've

checked him out and he does have a very good reputation. Two physicians that we

know of had their backs done by this surgeon.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Whatever info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > > Carol

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> > >