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[countrybumpkin]

I have previously posted that I have collapsed a disc in my back and cannot stand/walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time due to back/leg pain.

I am better than I was when I first posted about this but still need a wheelchair to go out and about but saw the surgeon today.

He was recommended and I found him very straightforward and sensible advice.

He showed me the mri scan and exactly what was happening and then he said he could shave the bit off the disc which should cure the leg pain but this would not help the back pain as this pain is coming from the disc itself due to the chemical changes that occur when a disc herniates and the body usually deals with this in 3-6 months.

His advice as I am a bit better than I was is to continue with the physio ( I have had 3 sessions) for another 8 weeks because that would take me up to 4 months since it happened.  If I am still struggling then have injection into area.  If after6 months I am still bad then he would consider doing keyhole surgery to shave off the bulging disc.

He said if I was in a physically active job which I was at risk of losing with 5 children and needed to be active all day then it was worth taking the risks of surgery to alleviate the leg pain but as I don't work, have a husband to push my wheelchair and was already disabled with disc problem in my neck he said he would give it another 3-4 months before considering surgery.

So was very impressed at his explanations and advice.

Just off to polish my wheelchair

[countrybumpkin]

Forgot to say that my nerve is not damaged at all just getting irritated when I stand/walk. Had I showed any signs of damage then it would have been an operation asap.

[CLKD]

   4 the update!

Wait and watch and improve the muscles around the damaged area then?  Are you to go back for a follow-up appt.?  The injection will probably show how much better you would be should surgery be necessary.

New gloves for pushing the wheels then ? 

[countrybumpkin]

As my appt was private he said just to get in touch with his sec if I need to see him again.

Poor husband has to push the wheelchair as my neck problem affects my arms! 

I had to smile though as the surgeon looked at the list of my problems sent by Dr ( partially sighted/ neck disc gone/ thoracic discs iffy/ lumbar discs iffy and now this ) and he smiled and said " I can see you have quite a long history of back and eye problems"!

As he said if I was super fit and desperate to get rid of leg pain then he would operate now but not otherwise.

It was good to know I do not need an operation but that he can do an operation if necessary to improve my pain at a later date.

[Evelyn63]

Sounds a very sensible outcome Countrybumkin , and the fact that alternatives treatment options are available should it be necessary is reassuring in itself .  Surgeons seem to be leaning more towards the wait and see approach nowadays, compared to " if in doubt whip it out" of previous decades.  My son in law broke his collar bone, surgery is an option, but the consultant felt it better to leave to heal naturally, given that he had no other complications.   He was a young consultant, not much older than my son in law and maybe they take a different approach, depending on research etc., and of course how the patient is .

[countrybumpkin]

My consultant was def younger than me   difficult to tell with him being indian but guess in his 40's.  My main worry was that he was scalpel happy as they say but he def wasn't and was very honest about the limitations.

[Ju Ju]

I'm glad you had such a worthwhile appointment. It gives your body time to do its work and heal as much as it can, which it sounds as if it is doing its best! Time to have some fun and relax? Gently of course!

[CLKD]

That way, should you require surgical intervention, you will be well enough!