Spinal Stenosis.... anybody ever have surgery?

[Papa Deuce]

My mom suffers from this condition. She is in a lot of pain most days. She has had 3 or 4 of the epidurals they give. The first one worked wonders and lasted a few months. The following shots had less effect. She doesn't want to do the surgery, mostly out of fear of what "can" go wrong.

I can't make her choice, but if I was in as much pain as she says she is in, I would have the surgery.

Can anybody tell me about the surgery?

 

[Maryr1]

A woman who works for my husband had the surgery and did wonderful. She is in her late 70's or early 80's. She was out of work for a while, but came back so strong. She only works part time, but really she is elderely and omly worked part time before the surgery. I think she was pretty healthy before the surgery and she had no complications. Good luck!!!

 

[golfgal]

My great-uncle had the surgery and my grandpa (his brother) needed it but never got it. When my uncle had the surgery it was something that only 'lasted' about 5 or so years. I don't know if that has changed or not. I know it really helped him but I don't know for how long.

 

[lowie]

my father is seriously considering doing it later this year. my mom found a doctor that does the surgery different and it's supposed to cut the healing time drastically, plus no body cast! he won't have to go to a rehab after the surgery if he doens't want to, although he probably will go just to be safe.

 

[N&B'smom]

I just wanted to say I hope your mom decides to do it. Living in pain is just not fun!! I'll say a prayer for her!!!

Shelby

 

[Papa Deuce]

I just wanted to say I hope your mom decides to do it. Living in pain is just not fun!! I'll say a prayer for her!!!

Shelby

Thank you!

 

[froglady]

My late father had degenerative spinal arthritis with spinal stenosis in both the cervical and lumbar regions. The cervical problem was causing him to lose hand/arm function, so he was operated on their first...at the age of 82, and two months after an MI and stent. He tolerated it really well.

He was scheduled to have lumbar surgery 6 months later, as that was the area that was causing him excruciating pain (he was finally on Methadone, but had gone through Demerol, Oxycontin, etc) Unfortunately, he developed bladder cancer (or it actually became apparent due to bleeding) before it could be done, and he developed chronic bleeding and anemia, so couldn't have surgery.

Because the stenosis affected his mobility and posture (he couldn't walk/stand up straight) he developed pneumonia after pneumonia until he was finally too weak to fight anymore.

I really believe that if he had been able to have the surgery he might have lived longer, or at least would not have endured so many months of pain.

 

[ukwildcat]

Thought I would add my 2 cents. I must say first that I am a chiropractor, but not against surgery by any means. I work very closely with an orthopedic surgeon in town who specializes in spinal surgery.

Here are my thoughts.

1. Epidurals should be working for months. If they have stopped giving her relief for that long, it is time to try something else.

2. I am of the opinion that conservative methods should be tried first. Has she tried any type of decompressive therapy. I practice a flexion/axial decompressive therapy. I get really good results with about 85% of my patients with stenosis/degeneration. Usually resolution of symptoms within 6 treatments (i.e. 2 weeks). Check out this website for people who use this technique www.coxtechnique.com.

3. If she has tried conservative therapy, then it is really up to her and her physician as to what to do next. Some people have had great success with laminectomies/fusions. Some people have had no relief. And a lot fall somewhere in between.

I will finally add that if she has some form of fusion, the spinal levels above and below the fusion (the one that are still mobile) will take the brunt of the force and thus have an accelerated rate of degeneration. Even if she does have surgery, I would advise her to stay as active as possible following the surgery.

Good luck with any decisions you make. PM if you have more questions. Take care.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Thanks for all the input, folks.. I will show my mom what you said.

 

[RNMOM]

My husband had a neck injury in 97 and had spinal spurs and damage to his nerves. He finally ended up with a ruptured disc. He was dealing wtih C3-4/4-5. He was finally referred to a surgeon by his pain management doctor after all those years of injections that were no longer working. The technique to deal with this surgery on a microscopic level has finally been perfected to his doctor's statisfaction.

He had his surgery last Oct 25. He was previously on up to 6 vicodin /day and is no longer taking any pain meds. He got relief immediately following his surgery which the surgeon said was unusual. He also told us there would be a good chance there would be no improvment in the pain but the surgery was necessary due to the bulging disc.

If she has the surgery, find a very experienced surgeon. A neurosurgeon. I would also suggest a young doctor as they are the ones doing these proceedures. DH's doctor looked like Dougie Howser. By the way, I am an RN and was very happy with this surgery. He did have difficulty swallowing for a couple weeks after but that went away and he is fine.

 

[kdibattista]

Thoughts and prayers to you mom. My grandmother and I both have this. We have it in both the cervical and lumbar region and know how debilitating it can be. I currently do alternative treatments as mine has not progressed too badly... yet. I am hopeful that by the time it gets really bad there will be many, many advancements. My grandmother on the other hand is in constant pain and it is quite sad to see her that way. She has some other factors that make the surgery impossible.

I go to the Rothman Institute.

Good luck to her

 

[Papa Deuce]

Thoughts and prayers to you mom. My grandmother and I both have this. We have it in both the cervical and lumbar region and know how debilitating it can be. I currently do alternative treatments as mine has not progressed too badly... yet. I am hopeful that by the time it gets really bad there will be many, many advancements. My grandmother on the other hand is in constant pain and it is quite sad to see her that way. She has some other factors that make the surgery impossible.

I go to the Rothman Institute.

Good luck to her

I think that is where I take her... in NE Philly?

 

[kdibattista]

I think that is where I take her... in NE Philly?

There are several locations (one right here in KoP). My doctor is a Rothman Doctor although I see him at his office at Magee Rehab on Columbus Blvd.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I have this. I was told this about a year ago. I have been doing OK with it until just recently. It has suddenly gotten much worse. I have to take ibuprofen on a daily basis to be able to go about my day. Mornings are the worst. I can't stand up straight in the shower. On the other hand, I walk 3 or 4 miles per day and 5 or 6 miles on weekends. If I take my ibuprofen, I walk with mild pain. If I walk without it, sometimes its unbearable. To me the pain is bad, but not yet bad enough to make me run to the doctor for help, although I am getting to that point.

my BIL also has this. He has had the nerve blocks several times and they no longer work. He is in extreme pain. They are now going to discuss surgical options.

I hope things go well for your mom

 

[Kitty 34]

I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a result of my broken neck years earlier. Three months of physical therapy was what helped me.