Spinal decompression: people who have done it

Question

FINDINGS::: THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAE SHOW NORMAL HEIGHT AND SIGNAL INTENSITYTHERE IS STRAIGHTENING OF THE LUMBAR CURVATURE. NO SUBLUXATIONS THERE APPEARS TO BE PARTIAL LUMBARIZATION OF S1.THE MOST CAUDAL TRUE INTERVERTEBRAL LUMBAR TYPE DISK WILL BE PRESUMED TO REPRESENT L5-S1. THERE IS DISK DEGENERATION L4-5 AND L5-S1 MAINFESTED BY LOSS OF DISK HEIGHT AND SIGNAL. THERE IS A SCHMORL'S NODE AT L4-5. L5-S1: THERE IS A SMALL PARACENTRAL DISK PROTRUSION, 3 MM IN THICKNESS THAT CONTACTS THE LEFT S1 NERVE ROOT WITHOUT DEFORMING IT. FACET ARTHROSIS IS PRESENT. THE LEFT NEURAL FORAMEN SHOWS MILD TO MODERATE NARROWING. THERE IS NO ASSOCIATED DEFORMITY OF THE TRANSITING LEFT L5 NERVE ROOT, HOWEVER. L4-5: THERE IS A BROAD POSTERIOR DISK PROTRUSION 5 MM IN THICKNESS PRODUCING CONSIDERABLE DEFORMITY OF THE VENTRAL MARGIN OF THE DURAL SAC. THERE IS FACET ARTHROSIS. THE NEURAL FORAMINA IS PATENT. L3-4: NO COMPROMISE OF THE DURAL SAC OR NEURAL FORAMINA. L2-3: NO COMPROMISE OF THE DURAL SAC OR NEURAL FORAMINA. THE CONUS TERMINATES AT THE L1-2 LEVEL AND IS GROSSLY UNREMARKEABLE THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF CONGENITAL; NARROWING OF THE SPINAL CANAL DUE TO SHORT PEDICLES

The above MRI is the one taht I got done 3 months ago.

1. I would like to know whether the people who have done it found it useful or not.

2. If you had a similar condition have 2 disk prolapses at L4-L5 and L-5 S-1 level how much better did you get

3. Please reply to this question only if you had got this procedure done, please restrict from giving any personal opinion, I would appreciate if I am only given the hard facts and nothing but the facts please.

Thanks in advance, I do appreciate it as those people who have had treatment would sincerely know in how much distress I am in.

Abhi

Answer 1

Your problem is from here L4-5: THERE IS A BROAD POSTERIOR DISK PROTRUSION 5 MM IN THICKNESS PRODUCING CONSIDERABLE DEFORMITY OF THE VENTRAL MARGIN OF THE DURAL SAC. Pain in your legs and butt will resolve immediately. It is the right surgery for you. I have seen more than 200 of these. If you are overweight lose it, it's bad for your back and your knees.  

Answer 2

I personally have used a traction bed at a chiropractor to help with compression of my spine and slight scoliosis.  However, last year my dad who has had disk problems for years underwent decompression treatments.  The MD suggested surgery if the cardio would sign off.  Well despite having CHF, and blood clots in his lungs a few months before thus being on blood thinners the cardio thought they could do a procedure and ok'd him for surgery.  He had fusion done 40 years ago in the L3-4 I believe, then 20 years ago had a similar surgery in his neck for a slipped/herniated disk.  Dad at 80 didn't think there should be any problems since he had done it before.  The rest of us having seen him have complications on other more recent surgeries weren't sure surgery would be worth the risks.  We spoke not only to an orthopedic surgeon who preferred to try shots first and an internationally known neuro-surgeon who also agreed he could do the surgery but general surgical risks would be very high.  He had 2 disks one above and one below the original lower back fusion that were causing the problems.  He could hardly shuffle or move, a complete change from just a few months before even.

The bulging disks, flattened disks basicly mean the fluid is gone and the bones are rubbing causing pain and limitations.

I heard about decompression therapy and started looking into various machines and where they were available around us.  I liked the DRX information the best and actually found 2 of them an hour away from us in different directions.  We visited one, had free consult including an s-EMG.  We watched a video about it and the doctor explained it very well to us.  His treatment was going to be 3x week, then 2x, then weekly then spaced farther and farther apart.  They would include a few minutes in a zero-gravity chair, a massage, then time on the machine.  We thought it sounded great but it was going to be quite expensive and most insurance didn't cover.  Approx $5,000 for 20 treatments.  We still liked the option better than surgery, and it offered more hope for lasting longer or being able to have single treatments later as needed than the shots would.  We looked into more brands... then went to visit the other doctor with the DRX and he operated more like the company information read in doing 20-25 treatments in a row (daily) then maybe an occassional treatment if necessary.  His treatments included a manipulation, machine time, then deep heat treatment (kinda like TENS), and a smaller unit to use at home also.  He had a much more reasonable rate and seemed more for the money.

Results, the pain that had my dad basicly unable to walk and having to physically lift up his leg was much better in a week.  He was able to walk...  The machine specifies which disk is being worked on, so to an extent only does one at a time.  By the time the treatments were over he was walking at least a half mile daily and within another month or two was close to 2 miles.  The pain has been minimal and occassional, although some is there but it definitely was well worth the time and money, not to do potentially life-threatening surgery.

You have more than disk problems which I don't remember reading in his MRI results.  If you are young and in good physical health surgery may be the best longest lasting possibility, but I'd seriously look into decompression.  We met several others that had been through decompression while going and they all were very positive and ranged from 30's to dad's 80.  Be sure to ask questions and choose the doctor who is going to monitor the machines and not turn it over to their office personnel after setting the machine the first visit.