Whoa… heavy news
by taj | Jun 03, 2009 |
I’m running out of dogs for the back related post thumbnails. Here’s Digger and Bobby from Ray’s.
Just back from the doctors and just went over my MRI results. Heavy news for me. Looks like we are going to do the fusion surgery of L5-S1. Surgery won’t take place for almost a month, but when it does Its only like a 2 day stay in the hospital, but it means that after surgery no activity for 3 months and no riding for real for 6 months! Yikes. I didn’t really expect it to take that long to heal.
That disc is not supposed to be doing that. It should be like the ones above and staying flush with the spine.
I have a pretty substantial rupture in my the disc between L5-S1. The treatments range for this kind of thing, but after a good talk my doctor and I have settled on the fusion surgery. The options though are as follows:
-Cortizone epidural shots like Tom Stober had to bring down the swelling but not actually fixing the disc. This can make you feel better because it relieves pressure, but it can last as little as a few days, or in some cases less serious then mine it can relieve the entire problem.
-There’s also a procedure to clip the part of the disc that is distended. Sounds like this is what Ben Ward was saying that Rich Hirsch had. My doctor said that usually when the disc between L5-S1 is herniated and putting pressure on the nerves it causes leg pain and shooting feelings radiating downwards. If that is the case then clipping the protuding disc usually solves the problem. I don’t have that at all, I only have pain in my lower back. My legs feel a bit week, but mainly its my back muscles that are unable to function. Doc says that clipping the disc very possibly may not relieve this problem since it may have more to do with the joints pressure on the nerves. Its interesting to see what functions of the body are “typically” impacted by disc damage at different levels. Each level has its own characteristics.
-We could possible do an artificial disc replacement. Unfortunately, this extremely expensive procedure is considered “experimental” by my insurance company and so I’m not covered for it. The up side is that at this level in the spine there’s not really that much movement, or at least, higher up would be much more crucial. A fusion at this level should not really be too much of an issue for flexibility for me. However, if in 6 months from now you see me just starting to ride again and I’m all stiff we can just blame that.
-So, we settled on the fusion surgery. Its what Ruben was describing last post. The crazy part is they go in through the front of your abdomen to do the surgery. Its a relatively small incision, but two surgeons are present. One to do the actual screw and plate and bone graft surgery, and one to monitor and control the extremely vital arteries that run right in front of the spine. Basically they screw and plate the vertebrae together so they can’t move, and then fill the area where the disc used to be with bone grafts that will fill it in so the damaged disc can no longer put pressure on the spine. I think…. I’ll get more and more precise with exactly what is going on as I learn more.
To be honest I was so rocked by the idea that I wouldn’t be able to ride for 6 MONTHS that I kind of stopped being able to think straight. Heavy news for me today.
Next step is to meet with the Vascular Surgeon to go over his procedures in the surgery and check to see if my splenectomy scars are going to be an issue for this surgery. After meeting with him I’ll be able to schedule a surgery date. The earliest possible time being between 3 and 4 weeks from now.
I’m pretty freaked out by all this, and dreading being laid up for so long, but at the same time I’m really itching to get this taken care of. Guess I’m staying in Austin for a while to deal with all of this.
June 4th, 2009 on 9:07 am
Taj,
I know how hard it is to deal with something like this, but trust me, it’s not as bad as it seems right now. I’m 34 and over the past 21 years of riding I’ve had to have surgery on my ankle 3 times. The first time I couldn’t even walk on it for a whole YEAR. That was when I was 16 and when you’re 16 hearing that you’ll be on crutches for a whole freaking YEAR and if you’re lucky you may be able to ride again in A YEAR AND A HALF was like a death sentence. Look at it like this - you’re still young enough to have several years of great riding ahead of you. In a few years this 6 month break will seem like nothing. It will actually make you appreciate riding more than ever once you come back. I suggest you take up a hobby that goes well with your recovery. I took up remote control cars and built a little dirt track in my back yard. That really helped the time go by quickly.
Also, remember how lucky you are to have modern medicine and insurance to give you the opportunity to have your back fixed. If this was 50 years ago, or you lived in some 3rd world country or you couldn’t afford it you would probably have to spend the rest of your life in agony. A 6 month recovery compared to 40 years with a bad back is a small price to pay.
Good Luck,
Dave
June 5th, 2009 on 5:47 am
Hey Taj
That really sucks man. I’ve had the same problem for the last 6 years. Started riding about 11 years ago, and being 6 “2 has put a lot of strain on my back. After my last MRI i was informed that all I can do for now “is try to take care of it as best I can”. Surgery is too pricey, and there isn’t much more i can do.
I have got a treadmill and a crosstrainer, which have strengthened my back muscles a lot, which helps. The fusion is something i might look into though in a year or two, but as a last resort.
I often wondered if this problem affected other bmxers, but all I really found was problems involving knee surgery.
I honestly don’t know how these street riders do the massive drops etc on a daily basis without screwing up their spines.
Anyway, all i can say is do lots of exercise. Try not to sit down for long periods as that aggrevates the problem. And above all stay strong, and obviously when the surgery is done find a way to occupy your time, and the 6 months will seem like a breeze. Let us know how it goes.
Dave