My back is defective - can I return it for a new one?

[jcruver]

Don't really have a question here just venting.

Last summer I had surgery for a herniated lumbar disc (I posted here a bit after with questions ect). Anyways..that went great and I was able to return to working out and excercising the same as I had been prior to the surgery (I even increased alot of my PRs and my lower back felt better than ever).

Here is the vent - a few months ago I noticed a slight (very slight) pain between my shoulder blades (felt like I slept on it wrong) and a few times slight numbness in my hand. I keep saying slight because that is what it was..nothing that alarmed me. Two weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night in alot of pain. A few days later went to the doctor..MRI...and guess what?..3 herniated cervical discs. Doc is fairly sure surgery will be needed but we are going to try pysical therapy first.

Thats all - just wanted to vent (from the couch..on meds).

[UConnJulie]

Bummer.

[jcruver]

I guess maybe I do have a question-

Has anyone else had this happen? (2 different disc herniations -one lumbar and one cervical- that required surgery?

And another question -
How different is the recovery ect between lumbar and cervical?

My surgery last year was a microdiscectomy (I am a bad speller i know).

[WalkingDysfunction]

Sorry to hear about your condition. Hopefully a good PT evaluation will find out more about your condition and provide an effective treatment approach.

On a side note, I've been reading a book by Ming Chew for my class (he's supposed to speak to my class soon). He seems like he treats a lot of his patients with a soft tissue mindset and has been pretty successful. I remember reading in his book about releasing fascia to relieve compression from a bulging disc. I'm not in a position to say whether he's correct or not, but that may be an option before electing for surgery.

Julie, ever heard of this guy and his treatment approaches? I'll have to question him when he speaks.

[jcruver]

So I ended up having sugery friday (ACF - c7-t1)....and i have to say I feel great now. Other that wearing this lovely neck brace..my arm/back pain is completely gone. My two fingers on my right arm are still numb and might be for awhile and I am feel slightly weak in my right arm but other than that i am amazed how 'good' I do feel.

Anyways...based on this type of surgery and expecting a very good recovery...what types of things should i try and avoid in the future and what types of things should/can I do to further strengthen and help prevent this type of injury?

(I would love to run a half marathon in May...possible?)

[UConnJulie]

Honestly depends upon the actual surgical procedure. Check with your surgeon!

[jcruver]

I think I mentioned last year after my other surgery....and I want to say it again (even though it is very early after this one)...I am more than 100% satisfied and have nothing but great things to say about these procedures.

I understand that every single case is much different but I naturally read way too much on the web both times and it seemed to be 75% or more negative and horror stories. I am lucky I am sure but now I have had two seperate (and 'unrelated' even though I know everything is related) surgeries and I could not feel better about both. I was taking 10-12 percocet a day prior to this and now i have had a total of 2 tylenol since I woke up in the recovery room after...3 days ago.

Not really sure why I thought I would mention that... but maybe someone who has been advised they may need this type of procedure would like to hear that it can be a very good experience.

Now the hardest part....taking eveything very slow and rehabbing properly...

[UConnJulie]

It IS a good reminder ... many people see surgery as a last resort, when sometimes it really should be a first resort! So good reminder ...

Originally Posted by jcruver

Now the hardest part....taking eveything very slow and rehabbing properly...

This will be the hard part since you are feeling better. Keep in mind that you don't want to undo all the hard work the surgeon did ... maybe that will teach you patience!!

[jcruver]

Yes that is the key. Patience. After last year's surgery (lumbar micro-discetomy..pardon my spelling) I set a goal to strengthen and stabilize my lower back. Prior to that surgery my PR for deadlift was 295 (at 5'10 and roughly 172 lbs). In about a year after the surgery I pulled 345 (I was up to 190 lbs and alot stronger all around but maybe not the leanest guy out there).

Now I am going to set a new goal for after this surgery (of course I will get the OK from my surgeon). I am looking into different things but I am pretty sure I want to try competitive endurance type of activities (my wife is an avid runner and after all these years and 'arguements' over weight training vs. cardio..ect I am ready to set a few goals on that side of the equation (the above mentioned half-marathon in May being the first if I am cleared in time to train).

Is there anyone out there who has had (or knows of someone who has) a cervical fusion procedure that competes or trains for running races or something similar? Thanks.

[jcruver]

Went on two walks yesterday..a 3 mile and a 1.5 mile. I honestly feel 'normal' except for the neckbrace (attractive isn't it??). It will be difficult to go slow.

[UConnJulie]