I am curious if any of our members have had any major back problems. A couple of weeks ago while lifting a heavy object with six other people, I twisted wrong and felt a twinge...
I tried to stretch through the rest of my day, took a hot shower and went to bed. I awoke the next morning, a Sunday, with shooting pain of my left leg. From my butt down to my foot. My foot and lower leg were numb when the shooting pain was not present. I went to the urgent care and the doc there told me I had a "strain", gave me drugs and told me to "rest for a week". I took the muscle relaxers, but shied away from the vicoden.
I went to my chiropractor on Monday and my hip alignment was off over 15mm according to the x-ray. Adjustments and ice for the week. During this time my foot and leg are no longer numb, but are tingling all of the time. If I sit, the pain and numbness instantly comes back. I have a ton of pain while I am trying to lay down as well.
Chiro doc sent me for an MRI on Friday and has advised my that I have a ruptured and fragmented disc in the lumbar area that is floating around and putting pressure on the sciatic nerve of my left side. I do not have all of the information yet as he called my in the evening at home to give me the news. He told me that he called a orthopaedic surgeon and scheduled me for a consultation this week. He told me this surgeon is great, but how does one really know? Here is the surgeons website; www.alexdavismd.com (http://www.alexdavismd.com)
My chiro is recommending surgery since it has been two weeks and we are not having any success to take care of the problem. He told me the surgery's success is close to 98% because they are just going in to remove the fragmented disc.
I have the same level of pain every morning when I wake from my crappy sleep. I slept all over from my bed, the couch, recliner and even the floor without any good sleep for two weeks. Heck, I am typing this now as I am standing and have brought my keyboard up so I don't have to bend over.
I guess my questions are to list a few; has anyone every had this type of surgery where they go in and just remove the fragmented piece? I am interested in the information if anyone has anyone had a back surgery that was successful or if it did not work at all. If so, do you have any recommendations of specific questions I should be asking the surgeon? An epidural was scheduled for tomorrow but the surgeon wanted to see me prior to that procedure, so I see him on Friday.
So for such a long post, a little concerned about this situation and the lingering affects following surgery and the unknown.
If you would rather not discuss this in the public forum view, please either shoot me a PM or an email with you phone number. I would gladly call anyone to discuss this issue that I am currently facing.
Thanks for listening,
Randy - RPM
Hi Randy,
you must be a mechanic you do not trust any body else. I am a mechanic and had a lot of back pain too. But not what you described. It sounds scary. But before going to surgery you should try a couple different things. Lay on the floor. Locate the pain spot. Get a tennis ball put it directly where it hurts. Let your whole body weight rest on that spot and start moving in circles around that spot. It is pain like hell but it relieves and helps. For me so far. You may have to do it a couple times. Take hot bathes and a hard brush. Stroke the brush in one direction away from your heart towards the leg and the whole leg you have trouble with. It starts your blood flow in that area. If it does not help try accupunture. I am not a doctor but like I said before doing surgery I would try everything else. And then start Aikido
greetings Werner
Hey Randy,
Sorry to hear about your back injury mate.
My spine degraded slowly over the years due to leaning over engines, lying on bitumen
in the freezing cold/stinking hot. One rather bloody cold morning in Canberra I slipped on some ice
whilst atop a grabage compacting unit. The distance was only 1.5m (4.5ft), but I chipped
something off one of the sacral vertebrae and according to Murphy's Law, the chip punctured
one of the discs.
The operation to remove the bone fragment was successful, except the damn anesthesiologist
scraped the sciatic nerve whilst injecting the epidural. If I sit down in a lounge/sofa for more than
20mins, my lower spine and right leg down to the knee throb like buggery. The discomfort ranks
about 6 out of 10. But what do I know about pain? I've never given birth right.
Well similar thing happened to my wife, leaving her with sciatica too.
Doctors are a lot like mechanics. They need to go through a process of elimination, based on their
knowledge and techniques. Obviously they can't swap out parts, though they can inject drugs all
over the place to block pain receptors and make really great pictures with radioactive dyes.
Don't be so quick to jump for surgery, if you are hesitant. Go for a grease and oil change first.
It took a physio 3 weeks to get my ribs back in place after I'd popped three out joint.
In the end, it will all come down to the quality of the tradesman operating on you.
Hope that helps.
ren-dog out
Sounds like they're suggesting a microlaminectomy. It's not a terribly nasty surgery, but like anything that tight to the spine, there can be some really nasty side effects if mistakes are made.
However, the longer you go walking around with significant damage/pain, the more permanent the damage can be, surgery or not. So, take any mri/xrays you've got, run them past another doc, and see what their opinion is.
For the cutting, go to a spine specialist or a neuro guy, not just some ortho. Orthos do knees and hips great, but the stakes are higher on the back, so find the right guy to do tthe work.
try to get in touch with Chris Murphy on the Yahoo list. He has a long history of back issues.
Randy T may also have problems if I remember correctly.
My father had a similar surgery to the one you are looking a little over 20 years ago (think stone age) and he made a remarkable recovery. He did everything in his power to avoid the knife, and spent 10 years in and out of the hospital as a result. After his surgery he never went back for back problems.
bill,
didn't randy t get his back problem from that rock he ran over when he was driving in kentucky? the rock didn't cause the injury, but bending over and taking it from the state of kentucky did, i think. ( :
Quote from: mst3kguy on April 19, 2010, 06:56:28 PM
bill,
didn't randy t get his back problem from that rock he ran over when he was driving in kentucky? the rock didn't cause the injury, but bending over and taking it from the state of kentucky did, i think. ( :
The rock probably woulda been easier to take than what I got from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. :ireful:
That ECSR only cost me about $4k, all told.
Happy to say that I figured out how to relieve most of my back symptoms, though. :good2:
Randy T
Indy
Quote from: WS on April 19, 2010, 01:49:22 AM
... But before going to surgery you should try a couple different things. Lay on the floor. Locate the pain spot. Get a tennis ball put it directly where it hurts. Let your whole body weight rest on that spot and start moving in circles around that spot...
IMHO Your advice is a deffinite way to cause more damage! My advice it to inore his advice unless you want to be in "real" pain! They poor guy has shards of bone floating around near his disks and spinal cord and your advice is lay on the floor and put a tennis ball at the point of pain and lay on it! OMFG you gotta be kidding me, that is probably the worst thing you could do! In addition, accupunture might provide some short term pain releife but it wont heal a broken vertabra or remove the pressure its putting on the sciatica. Makes me wonder if people read more than the title of the posts... :dash2: :crazy: You must be one of those people that put duct tape on their radiator hose that has a bulge in it and think they can get another 5K mi out of it. :bad:
'Well I'll be, who woulda thunk demdair broken bones could be so dang sharp an pointy.' :wacko3:
Quote from: andyb on April 19, 2010, 05:29:59 AM
Sounds like they're suggesting a microlaminectomy. It's not a terribly nasty surgery, but like anything that tight to the spine, there can be some really nasty side effects if mistakes are made.
However, the longer you go walking around with significant damage/pain, the more permanent the damage can be, surgery or not. So, take any mri/xrays you've got, run them past another doc, and see what their opinion is.
For the cutting, go to a spine specialist or a neuro guy, not just some ortho. Orthos do knees and hips great, but the stakes are higher on the back, so find the right guy to do tthe work.
Randy,
It sounds like you have done the right thing thus far. I am a strong beleiver in chiropractics and it sounds like you have a good relation with your chiro as well. I agree the most with Andyb, dont put this off. You wouldnt wait untill your break pads are metal to metal to replace them, or use the wrong tools to work on your bike so make sure you have the right people with the right tools to work on your back, and get a second opinion! I have an uncle who had a similar injury as yours, only his injury is mid back and he crushed 2 or 3. He took some time off "to heal" and never got it looked at untill later when the damage got worse. Since then he has had 3 or more surguries to have bone shards removed and at one point had the nerve nicked by the operators tool. Now he is in 24/7 pain, takin 60mg Oxycotten (spelling?) 2, 3 times a day that dont provide any releife. Im not trying to scare you but rather let you know how bad things can be. Yea he has some good days but there are just as many bad one, I hate to see like that and dont want anyone to go through the same. Dont take it lightly, get second opinions and get the right doctor. By the sounds of it surgery is necessary, especially when there are bone fragments dont mess around. If the pain subsides dont be a hero and work beyound your means because the pain will come back and it will be worse. Best of luck to you.
...... I have had six, lower back surgerys , [two in two days] in 1999 from L5 to L1 with rods and screws.
.. I can say all doctors, are not created equal.
.. I can say all doctors, are not created equal.
I wasn't going to say anything but this gets me going.
That is the understatement of the year! This is why on there medical license it says that they are a loud to PRACTICE medicine. be real sure of your doc, and get references. I know this by first hand experience and I had been to this doc before. But if he gets the day off and his partner fucks you up, your still fucked up.
So also check his backup. If it sounds like I'm bitter you bet when you die on a operating table because you broke a knee something has gone terribly wrong.
Thanks Bob
Just remember that full 1/2 of all doctors graduated in the top half of their class. The rest didn't.
+1 on Chris M. I think he searched far and wide and found some really good docs.
I have two blown cervical discs. Had numb thumb and finger, then burning pain in shoulder and arm, which switched to the other side.
Doc prescribed drug therapy and PT for about 3-4 weeks. Seems to have helped, but I havnt got another MRI. Made riding a bitch for a while.
Hey WMarshy, before I would go and get the surgery I would try anything else. And please do not judge me for advise that helped my back problems. I had tons of heavy weight lifting pain and it helped me. I do not trust any doctor. When it comes to your body you should stop thinking in a mechanical way. And there is a lot of different options out there that help. The hard part is to find the best way that helps you. And your body is amazingly strong and has a lot of ways to adjust. People just do not allow those options because of their ONE WAY THINKING. WS
Quote from: WS on April 21, 2010, 01:07:54 AM
Hey WMarshy, before I would go and get the surgery I would try anything else. And please do not judge me for advise that helped my back problems. I had tons of heavy weight lifting pain and it helped me. I do not trust any doctor. When it comes to your body you should stop thinking in a mechanical way. And there is a lot of different options out there that help. The hard part is to find the best way that helps you. And your body is amazingly strong and has a lot of ways to adjust. People just do not allow those options because of their ONE WAY THINKING. WS
WS, Im not judging you, obviously the tennis ball trick works well for you then so be it. But when someone has broken bones, especially vertebra, the most damaging thing one can do is create movement in that area. The bones are sharp, they have the potential to cut the spinal cord, puncture the sheath on the disk, and mangle the muscle tissue in that area. The muscle tissue will heal as hard scar tissue and that will only make matters worse (ie. loss of flexability and back pain from knotted scar tissue). I totally agree, there are a lot of options out there to help back problems without the fancy pills and getting surgery, and I believe chiropractics the proper way to resolve those issues (the body heals itself, if allowed to). Everything from headaches, allergies, numbness in legs hands, and more. My point is, once your dealing with broken vertebra your options are limited. If its just a fractured vertebra then only time is needed for it to heal. If the bone has fragmented then there is an urgency to go in and remove those pieces.
^ according to the original post, it's a popped disc, not a vertebral fracture. Stretching won't really hurt.
Quote from: andyb on April 21, 2010, 06:57:09 AM
^ according to the original post, it's a popped disc, not a vertebral fracture. Stretching won't really hurt.
I have to agree that if it's just a bulging or herniated disc, some stretching won't hurt.
I have suffered for quite a few years with a couple of discs in the lumbar area, neither of which should, according to the experts, cause that much discomfort. But they have at times hurt so much that it was difficult to even get out of bed. I have a couple of thoracic discs that they say should be causing excruciating pain that do not bother me at all.
An epidural injection for the lumbar problem was helpful for a few weeks, then the constant pain returned.
I was told for a long time that meds, heat/cold therapy, and bed rest was only way to treat the problem without surgery. But about 12-14 months ago, I read a new study that said that bed rest was the worst thing to do, and advocated as much activity as is tolerable for the 'bad days', and core exercise for prevention. Damned if it doesn't work!
I do 10-15 minutes of intense core exercise about every other day, and the back pain has decreased dramatically. I had one 'bad day' a few months ago, and instead of going to bed, I forced myself to so some of the exercise, and was all better in just a few hours.
YMMV, but it works for me.
Randy T
Indy
Quote from: rktmanfj on April 21, 2010, 07:28:14 AM
I have to agree that if it's just a bulging or herniated disc, some stretching won't hurt.
I have suffered for quite a few years with a couple of discs in the lumbar area, neither of which should, according to the experts, cause that much discomfort. But they have at times hurt so much that it was difficult to even get out of bed. I have a couple of thoracic discs that they say should be causing excruciating pain that do not bother me at all.
An epidural injection for the lumbar problem was helpful for a few weeks, then the constant pain returned.
I was told for a long time that meds, heat/cold therapy, and bed rest was only way to treat the problem without surgery. But about 12-14 months ago, I read a new study that said that bed rest was the worst thing to do, and advocated as much activity as is tolerable for the 'bad days', and core exercise for prevention. Damned if it doesn't work!
I do 10-15 minutes of intense core exercise about every other day, and the back pain has decreased dramatically. I had one 'bad day' a few months ago, and instead of going to bed, I forced myself to so some of the exercise, and was all better in just a few hours.
YMMV, but it works for me.
Randy T
Indy
+1 on movement/ stretching/ exercise routine. I have/ had mild low back pain from a heavy lifting injury a few years back. At the time it laid me out, I could barely stand. After the primary injury was allowed to heal, maybe a month or so, I began to stretch. At this point, I am only aware of pain when I am not stretching etc. So when I start to feel that tightness in my low back, I know it's time to stretch.
So far, simply stretching and exercising has kept me pain free for several years. As others have said, this may not work for you as your injuries may not be the same, or as healed as they need to be to prevent re-injury. But it sure seems to just make good sense in general to stay loose and mobile.
My $0.02
Dan
Re Back Pain. There`s a hospital in Adelaide that`s researching arthritis, joint pains etc. If ya givem a call they send bottles of their recommended brand of fish oil (Norwegian - Melrose) and some powder (at the right price- Glycosomate I think) that they reckon works wonders, but it all takes around 6 weeks to work. I`ve been on and off it for 2 years. I go off it cause I forget I need to take it. But sure enough around 5 weeks later I get reminded why I was suppose to be on it. Will find the number if anyone`s interested but it`s the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Rheumatology Unit. There very obliging on the phone and accept credit card. Good to know any little profit goes to more research. Combined with a twist of handlebars and it`s the fountain of youth elixir. :i_am_so_happy:
Thanks for all of the input. My problem is not a fragmented bone chip but a fragmented disc. I have been free of my back pain once the chiro got the spine all realigned. I am not having any issues with back pain it is the fragmented piece that is lodged into the sciatic nerve and effecting my left leg. Monday night was the worst night I have had since the initial injury. I got a total of 1.5-2 hrs of sleep and no matter what I did the leg pain was overwhelming.
The chiro has been having me do exercises and stretching and had even started me in physical therapy prior to the MRI documenting the problem. The recommendation so far from the chiro and through my own internet research is that the fragmented piece has to be removed. The chiro said it is trapped in the pocket between the disc and the opening for the nerve to pass through. The piece is too large to pass through the hole without manual manipulation. We tried traction for about a week and the pain was immediate as the fragment would get wedged against the nerve. From there he would have to stretch and massage the area to get the fragment back into the pocket and off of the nerve.
I started thinking about less invasive options such as laser. I know they are using the laser for kidney stones and such now. I have found several laser spine Dr's/procedures. Unfortunately I am unable to find all of the info in regards to this fragment application to see if it will work. They offer free MRI reviews, but since this is a work comp issue, my employer has advised that I must see the neuro surgeon first before taking the next step.
So, at this point it is hurry up and wait until Friday when I see the neuro. The neuro and my employer both stated that they have made a space for this appointment as his current scheduling time is up to 1.5 months out and I was scheduled in a week.
Maybe it is a bigger deal than I realize...
I will update when I find out,
Thanks again, Randy
Hi Randy, sorry to hear about your back, i know what your going through, in 91 the same thing happened to me, L4/5 discs ruptured and i was in so much pain in the end and sleepless nights crying in pain i was happy to have the operation - and have never looked back it was a great success.
In my experience, and i did try everything, nothing helped ease the pain , in fact the chiro was the worst as he had me doing exercises that were hurting and when i spoke to my neurosurgeon he said i was making things worse. I have had a really good run since then but would you believe i am having another back op on the 19 of May on 2 ruptured discs the other end of my back, C5/6, my back must be made of shit.
Anyway good luck and i think be best thing is not to do anything that increases your pain and listen to your surgeon and have confidence in them, it's a big thing when it is happening to us, but it is what they do every day.
Regards Colin
Quote from: racerrad8 on April 21, 2010, 12:35:54 PM
Maybe it is a bigger deal than I realize...
Probably only if you delay... they are working you into the schedule for a reason. :good:
Randy T
Indy
First off let me say thank you to all of you that have offer input & advise with my current issue regarding my back injury. I have received several personal emails regarding experiences of others with similar problems; with both good and bad results. I do know that after just three weeks of this injury, that my 42 year old body is moving worse than my dad's 70 year old body.
I saw the neuro surgeon on Friday, and by first impressions, I feel much more comfortable after seeing him. One of the first things out of his mouth when we met was that he wanted to try to get this fragmented disc issue resolved without surgery. He told me he was impressed with my knowledge and the amount of research I had done in preparation as a result of the injury. He said that it was refreshing to have to answer questions that had a direct relationship to the injury, that the same old general questions.
Subsequently, I am scheduled for an epidural on Thursday to reduce the inflammation of the fragment which is pinching nerve that is clearly obvious in the MRI. I looked at those films with him for almost 15 minutes asking questions about specific items I was seeing on the film and specific questions upon his answers.
He did tell me that the disc has been ruptured for some time and the coloring of that disc makes that obvious as well. The issue came when the rupture of the disc was pinched when I twisted my upper body. The fragmented piece was then forced down and is now wedged between the vertebrae and the nerve which is causing the left leg issues.
He also told me the body is incredible and if the swelling can be brought under control and maintained for a period of time, the fragmented piece will absorb, float and/or leave the area. He seemed pretty confident that with the previous injury and my body adapting to compensate for the previously ruptured disc, it will also compensate for the fragment. He said we will know by next Monday of the direction of care based on the epidural results.
Again, I do appreciate all of your input and support in during this injury and I look forward to getting back to normal so I can get my FJ out on the road again.
Randy - RPM
I like it when the doctors at least sound confident......though i'm still a bit concerned about that whole "practice" thing.
positive waves for ya Randy :good2:
Frank
snip>The issue came when the rupture of the disc was pinched when I twisted my upper body. <snip.
Ah yes, I know it well. My down fall was a 1/2 full bag of peat moss with the "lift 'n twist". It took about a month of chiro-untwisting to get back to semi-normal.
Heal well & soon,
Update:
I had my epidural yesterday morning. Normal injection is one, but the Dr with the use of a fluoroscope(?) did a dual injection on each side of the fragmented piece.
I heard the other people who had come out the procedure telling the nurses their pain had already receded. Mine...not so much. Since I am in the most pain in a sitting position and that is how they rolled me back in to recovery, I had to slide down of the end of the bed to stand up...
Dr stopped back and told me, "If it works you will be significantly better tomorrow morning, now go home a lay down as much as you can today."
So, that is what I did...and I am a little discouraged this morning. Some of the numbness and tingling have subsided, but I would say by maybe 10%. Since some of the feeling has now come back from being on a dead leg/foot for 3+ weeks, I can now feel pain in the bottom of my foot and left knee now...
I see the Neuro surgeon in two weeks to figure out the next step...Gonna get another two weeks of research done prior to seeing him.
Randy
Well, after being off of work since my injury, diagnosis, epidural and waiting for second contact with neuro surgeon on the 21st, I received a phone call yesterday from my Dr. He tells me, he your employer wants you to go back top work in a modified form. "I have contacted the neuro and he has told it would be fine, with criteria including no lifting, bending must be able to sit and stand a needed, etc". I do need to see you today prior to being released for work, so off to the Dr. yesterday.
Now, I still have to have someone tie my left shoelace 4 out of 5 times as I can't bend over due to the pain. When I sit or bend the shooting pain actually takes my breathe away, but I have to go to work...
So, off to work today for my regular 11hr shift from noon to 11pm. I get to about 3:30 and I am ready to crawl out of my skin from the ever increasing pain that I experiencing. I call my Dr and he is, "out of town until Monday". I call the Comp case manager as she finally gets back to me at about 4:55pm. She tells me, to go home, and I will have to go to the employer's occupational medical provider to have the work status re-evaluated.
Now, they have no idea of what has been done to this point and I doubt they will modify my work status since they do not know what is going on and they surely are not going to listen to me since I am the one requesting to be placed off of work again. So it will be off to another Dr. tomorrow morning to explain my symptoms and diagnosis to them and hope the change my work status.
With that being said, if you have sent me an email for parts, ordered parts and had any other questions, I am sorry I have not responded, I have not been at my shop since yesterday morning morning. I have several orders that I was shipping yesterday but was interrupted as I had to go to the Dr and that screwed up my day. I will be sending out those parts at the latest Monday as it is not a scheduled work day, but hopefully I can get my work status changed back to what it was and I will get those parts out tomorrow.
I am also unable to read my emails from home, so as soon as I get back to the shop I will respond to those as well.
Thanks for listening again,
Randy - RPM
First off, I would like to thank everyone who has sent me emails concerned about this issue; I have never met any of you in person, but I feel you are good friends, Thank You.
After my last post the epidural has totally worn off and I am almost back to the day one pain level in my left leg/foot. I saw the neuro on 5/21 and he recommended a procedure called a "Micro Endoscopic Discectomy (MED)". I was able to contact several patients of Dr. Davis who were similar age, weight and lifestyle as me and inquire about their experience and the feedback was positive.
I was also also to contact a couple clients of the Laser Spine Institute in reference to their laser procedure and found out that one of the two ended up having a MED procedure. He explained that more than 85% of the LSI procedures are completed with the MED and not the laser. While both were satisfied, it changed my outlook on the laser procedure. Plus in some of the research the heat from the laser could possible damage the nerves in the are more.
I did find a procedure a the Back Institute (www.backinstitute.com (http://www.backinstitute.com)) and it looked like an even better procedure, but they do not handle any type of Workman's Comp claims and can only be personal insurance or private pay; the procedure averages $35,000.00. I hired an attorney to see of there was some way of getting this procedure completed within the workman's comp guidelines and long story short; not without paying for it personally and then suing my employer or suing employer/workers comp and waiting for the judgment before having the procedure.
The last two were not an option as the pain I am in, as well as the lifestyle change this injury has produced; I cannot wait any longer. I also read and Dr. Davis confirmed that the longer the nerve is being compressed the more likely permanent damage could occur.
I went into the consult with Dr Davis with a notepad of questions and when he saw that he was surprisingly gracious in taking all of the time I needed to ask the questions and understand the explanations he gave. The Q&A session lasted for almost 40 minutes after the examination and I left with confidence in the procedure and his ability. I also noted when I left the waiting room was to capacity as he took so much time with me.
So, with that being said I am having the procedure done this next Thursday. I stay at the surgery center overnight as he believes immobilization is crucial the first 24 hours. He said I will not be allowed to get out of bed for anything for the first 24 hours and can only sit long enough to eat. After that I will be on a 10 day no stress to the body requirement before allowing any type of lifting; he said the heaviest thing I should be lifting for the first 10 days is a glass of water.
So, while I am looking forward to the relief of this injury, I am rightfully apprehensive about it as well; but remaining positive and I will be back up on my FJ hopefully before the summer is over. And Marsh, I do appreciate the invitation to the rally and if I feel well enough I will most likely drive up for the camaraderie and food on one of the two nights; plus that thought of meeting the most offensive man in the world is intriguing as well.
Again, Thank You to all that have offered suggestions, concerns and advice, I truly appreciate them all.
Randy
Prayers are going with you Randy.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Actually got to sit in the OR on one of those once. Neat surgery, but with the tiny incision there isn't a lot to watch :(
Sounds like the right choice at this point though. Just be very, very careful to follow their post-op and rehab instructions, one of the big dangers being that you'll overdo it and damage another disc above/below where you got fixed.
Gluck!
Good luck to you brother, I'm hoping you make a quick and total recovery my friend.
Eric M
Randy,
sounds like you got it all planned out, good luck on the procedure .
If you do drop by the rally we got ya covered on food and drink. :drinks:
should go nicely with your meds. :wacko3:
Pulling for you Randy. :good2:
Keep the spirits up. Good things happen to good people.
Cheers...Jake
Good luck Randy. I've never been in the predicament that you're in, but have gone from feeling like I could kick the world''s ass (as much as you can kick the world's ass in your late 40's) to having to roll out of bed on all fours to be able to stand up and hobble over to the can to take a leak because of back trouble. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Mark
Randy, may the Kookaloo be with you. What goes around comes around, and from what I have seen you have sent out a tremendous amount of good. I have been hit by the lightning bolt in the lower back before, no fun crawling around for days, no surgery for me but ten years later I still know something's amiss if I twist too quickly. I am impressed by your determination to research all options and be your own advocate despite the pain, this will definitely pay great dividends. We're all rooting for ya!
Doug
Well,
I am home and resting following my back surgery yesterday. First off I have to say.... :yahoo: KOOKALOO :yahoo:
Went on the table at 9:00 am yesterday morning. Surgery was to take 1 - 1.5 hours; Actually time was 2 1/2 hours. He told me when he got in there the disc had been ruptured sometime before this latest injury. The scar tissue from the rupture had grown to and attached the nerve to the ruptured portion of the disc. The injury I received on 4/3 was the fragmenting of a piece of the rupture, which then had no place to go but behind the sciatic nerve. This in turn was causing the compression for the nerve and all of the left leg/foot pain. The fragmented piece measured 2.3cm.
He said after clearing of the fragmented piece and the removal of the rupture portion I again have the proper space and movement of the nerve. When I awoke at about 12:30, I noticed I was pain free except for the surgery site. No more leg or foot pain. I can again move my leg & foot without the shooting sciatic nerve pain. By 4:00 a PT nurse was trying to get me up & moving. I explained the Dr's direction to me about being immobile for 24 hours. She then showed me his notes telling PT staff to get me up & walking as quickly as possible.
I was up and walking around the recovery wing hallways and all I could think about was how great it felt to be pain free; KOOKALOO :dance2:
Dr. came in this morning at about 7:00 and I was coming out of the bathroom and the look of surprise on his face that I was up and about so effortlessly, and he was thinking "KOOKALOO". :good: He checked me over, took a lap around the wing with me, had me walk up some therapy stairs and said, "You can go home if you like". :bye2:
He checked the left foot strength and said it had improved by well over 75% already and my drop foot appeared to be almost gone. Originally he told me I would be back to work in a light duty status in 2-3 weeks. But, he told me when he got everything cut out and removed the is now an open hole in the disc. The hole will have to heel over by scar tissue. He said with this hole, he would be keeping of work until August 3rd and I am still only to walk and lifting nothing more than a glass of water until I go see him for my followup on the 15Th.
He told me the surgery was challenging due to the scar tissue and he had never seen an occurrence that heavy before, and his only concern now is getting the hole to scar over after that it will be back to normal. He said he would be leaving me off of work until August when he can do another MRI to check the injury/hole.
I will be staying pretty immobile through the weekend with the exception of taking my walks. I am hoping to feel good enough to get to the shop early next just to hold down my chair and be there for anyone that might need my assistance.
As I said before, THANK YOU to all that have offered advised, words of encouragement and care, and listening/reading my ramblings it has really helped this process along for me. The acute injury I received and the quick time frame of getting something done has been a whirlwind of exactly two months. I was injured on 4/3, surgery on 6/3 and hopefully be back to work by 8/3.
Plus, If I get back to work in August I can still get the FJ's out for a few late summer rides.
Thanks again to everyone, and I will post updates on how my recovery is going.
Randy - RPM :i_am_so_happy:
Really glad to here that your doing better
Bob
Awesome man! Now be a good kid and FOLLOW THE BLOODY DIRECTIONS... means no rough screwin, no "just this one thing" getting moved, no picking up the kids/pets, etc!
May be wanting to get a back brace thing. They don't work, of course, but they help remind you not to do stuff.
Great news Randy. At least you can at least lift a glass (water?).... :drinks:..
Cheers...Jake
:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
Randy T
Indy
Well alright Randy, Thats great news... sounds like you will be doing even better in the next couple months. Keep up the recovery and you may be enjoying some nice fall riding before long....
Eric M
Good job Randy!
Your careful investigation of your options paid off. Congrats to you and your medical team (it takes two)
Andy is absolutely right on. Follow all the recovery/rehab directions to the T.
Sending good thoughts your way.
i knew it was going to work out for ya.... i had a good feeling about the situation.
a good nights sleep (for a change) does wonders for your morale doesn't it ?
Kookaloo my friend! (but not too soon) :good2:
Frank
Your report is the best news of the day. :-)
Carry on,
Arnie
Excellent news Randy! Glad you were able to get the treatment you needed and it went well. Good luck on a full recovery!
Just what I was hoping to hear! Isn't it great when you open something up and find an obvious problem that can be fixed? You know exactly what I mean Randy, good to know surgeons have those days too- keep up the good work!
Doug
Awesome Randy!! :good2: Take it easy and heal up. I'll have a beer for you at the West Coast Rally...okay; maybe two! :drinks:
Randy,
great news and what a relief you must be feeling.
take it easy and do your therapy , take your medicine :drinks:
After following the Dr's directions and resting for five (5) days by only walking and lying down, I still feel great. I am going to get to my shop tomorrow and try and spent at least half of the day there. I will respond to all of the emails that I might have received since I have been gone since last Thursday.
If you don't hear back from me in regards to a request by tomorrow night, please resend it.
Thanks again for all of the support, Randy
Quote from: racerrad8 on June 07, 2010, 05:24:55 PM
After following the Dr's directions and resting for five (5) days by only walking and lying down, I still feel great. I am going to get to my shop tomorrow and try and spent at least half of the day there. I will respond to all of the emails that I might have received since I have been gone since last Thursday.
If you don't hear back from me in regards to a request by tomorrow night, please resend it.
Thanks again for all of the support, Randy
Randy thats just amazing, good for you. Keep up the fast recovery...
Eric M
Excellent news, Randy. Awsome :good2:. All the best! and stay the course!
Paul
Very good news indeed!
Glad to hear you're doing better.
I'm glad to hear your back problems are getting better, now how are those front problems doing?
Too soon?
=)
An update on the back:
I went back to work about three weeks ago on a light duty status, it is hard basically being a secretary :boredom:, but hey I still have a job. I still feel great, I have been doing physical therapy since the beginning of August and have shed the 25+ lbs I gained not being able to do anything :gamer:. I am still physically weak but it is coming back. I have been on a 15+ wight restriction and can't do anything for a prolonged time.
I went and saw the Dr yesterday and he told me he would see me in 6 more weeks :shok:, I can now lift 25 lbs :scratch_one-s_head:, and I am still on light duty :ireful:
So, I presumed he was going to again tell me I could not ride my bicycle or FJ until I see him in November :nea:. I asked and he said "As long as you are not off road riding, you may". Needless to say...:good2: :shout: :dance: :bye2:
That works out perfect as it is my anniversary on Sunday, the weather is cooling back down from the 100* days, we are going for a ride. :dance2: While I think it will probably be a pretty short journey, we are going to head up into the Sierras for a lunch ride.
Threw the charger on both bikes for an hour last night and they both fired right up. When I got up at 4:30 this morning she asks, can I do anything to the bikes to get ready? I told here to wipe them down with the duster, get out the current registration decals and wax your helmet. :yahoo:
So, it feels good that we will get a little FJ time before the cold weather sets in and to know we did not miss the whole season.
Boy, I am kinda giddy this morning...
WELL ALL RIGHT !!!!!! :good2:
keep on the plan Randy and enjoy your ride my friend!
KOokaloo!
Frank
Thats great news Randy, I hope you both enjoy the ride..
Eric M
FJs are some of the best therapy out there, enjoy your ride. :biggrin:
Bob W
That's sweet, good job man.
Glad to hear your back in the saddle Randy, and that life is returning to normal.
:drinks:
happy anniversary , enjoy your ride. :good2: