I hav been diagnosed with SLIP DISC problem in L5. i hav been asked to go for surgery. is it advisable? i m 40

Question

r there any afterefects of the operation? r there any chances of relapse ? can i avoid surgery by alternative means? if yes, what r they? what is the success rate? pls help.

Answer 1

Well... my Boyfriends mama just had surgery for the exact same problem.. however it didn't help her.. the scar tissue shrunk up terribly and its causing even more problems than before.. Shes been bed riden for about 5 monthes. I guess everybody is different though.. Good luck!

Answer 2

Not a single patient benefited.

Answer 3

Before even attempting to offer an opinion, I would feel more comfortable knowing what type of correction you are being offered.  Is it a fusion?  Also, the discs are usually identified from two vertebrae.  Is you problem the disc at L4 to L5 or L5 to S1 (more common)?  Surgery in these situations is usually not pursued until you have gone through a long and rigorous course of alternative treatments (pain medications, time to heal, physical or occupational therapy, corticosteroid injections to decrease pain, lifestyle modifications, etc.).  I am assuming that you've been through this entire or at least the majority of this sequence?  There are some more exotic alternatives (FSM or Laser/Laparoscopic procedures) but your case, just like all the others, is unique in your sensation and regarding the best management.  Since this disc won't likely kill or even paralyze you, the surgery is basically a pain relief function and therefore probably considered 'elective'.  If you've gone through a full gamut of attempts to correct the situation and/or if the pain is significantly decreasing your quality of life, you have to make the decision as to whether to have surgery in hopes of resolving the situation.  Get the surgeon's best estimate of what he thinks your condition would be post-operatively and then put that in the balance of your gambling calculations.  Good luck and God bless....