I am 77 years old and weigh 125 Kgs, part of the problem. I have had a bad back for most of my adult life due to an early set of rugby injuries.

Of late say 1 year it has got steadily worse and currently I exhibit.

·       Tingling in both legs

·       Occasional sciatic pain right leg

·       Numbness in my left foot, toe next to large

·       Intermittent numbness in my right foot

·       Balance issues

 

I have recently had a series of CAT scans subsequent to bowel surgery for cancer and the radiologists have diagnosed and I quote “Lumbar spondylosis, pronounce at L4-S1 vertebra is shown”.

The pictures look problematical from even an untrained eye.

There are bone spurs and thinning of the intervertebral discs. Not bursting is evident.

 

I have read horror stories about vertebra fusion.

 

Any advice on your experience or solution would be helpful.

1.   Type of surgery

2.   Hospital

3.   Experienced Dr

4.   Costs if surgery

 

Sheryl was particularly helpful with an HRT issue with my wife.

My rupture at L4-S1 and rather than surgery I chose Physical Rehab @ 50 years old.

My second opinion which was with an ex SF 49.r doctor who said people through out history have recovered from ruptured disc's and mended naturally.

In time eventualy it fused itself, 76 yo

Could be in your age less than 50% successful, but what does your dr says, that’s more important. 

 

Is it worth the risk ? 

sharot724

Whats an SF 49.R doctor.

Thanks Hummin

I tend to agree with you and the return of cancer is not out of the question so who knows how long I have.

2 minutes ago, fellwalker said:

Thanks Hummin

I tend to agree with you and the return of cancer is not out of the question so who knows how long I have.

I had degenerated L-4 and L-5 and happy Idid not do anything about it, but this was in my 30ies, Still no feeling in my big toe. 

 

Good luck, and maybe better to look in to physical therapy and try to get some decent pain relief. Back problems is quite difficult, but daily walks at beach, swimming and oil massage can give some relief in the long turn if you have the possibility, and also look if there is some inflammation triggering your problems more than the back issue itself. 

Daily stretching may help, it was game changing with my back

IMO surgery is best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

 

I have similar spondylosis in three areas, plus chronic osteoarthritis in the lower spine.

 

I manage with a morning heat pack plus stretching exercises. I find swimming daily is good therapy. Massages three times a week.

 

2-3  times a week, I take 50 mg of Tramadol and 400 mg of ibuprofen, enabling me to play pain-free golf.

 

A physio once told me "use it or lose it".

 

I weighed 100 kg in Australia. I am now a very trim 77 kg. Yes, losing weight helps.

Only if you've tried every other option.   Weighing 125 kg, implies you have not.  I've had surgery for T12-L1 & L4-5, and 5 discs were diagnosed as degenerative.  Surgery was 1997, and necessary, as I couldn't even roll over in bed without pain. 

 

Suggested surgery again, in 2001 after aggravating lumbar region again.  Retired instead, thus avoiding the work that was causing the issues.   Been 24+ yrs since, and non-invasive, simply 'doing' common sense management, has kept me away from the scalpel.

 

Weight control, stretching exercises and stomach crunches to strengthen the muscles supporting the discs.   Exercise your legs, stretching, and getting your flexibility back, range of movement, which will loosen your hamstring & sciatic nerve, along with 'deep therapeutic' leg massage, again, stretching the sciatic nerve back to original length.  All helps, along with muscle support of discs.

 

Good Luck

 

Fusion surgery itself, is, should be fairly routine.  I wouldn't opt for any other, as the seem to have mixed success.  You'll lose some flexibility, and about he only negative, I believe. 

 

That's what my doc told me, when I asked, instead of 'fixing' the 2 herniated discs, why not just fuse them.   Told me I was too young (42) to lose that much flexibility.   Change jobs and don't F'up again, and you'll be fine, and I won't need to see you again ... oops 

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

Could be in your age less than 50% successful, but what does your dr says, that’s more important. 

 

Is it worth the risk ? 

That is wrong.

 

It all depends on the comptence of your surgeon if you go down that path.

You need to find the best  and then 2 others who are 'the best'.

 

It's a long difficult journey but if your discs are stuffed and there's no other suggestions other than surgery. 

 

Get the best back guy you can. 🙂

 

I would not do it.

19 minutes ago, carlyai said:

That is wrong.

 

It all depends on the comptence of your surgeon if you go down that path.

You need to find the best  and then 2 others who are 'the best'.

 

It's a long difficult journey but if your discs are stuffed and there's no other suggestions other than surgery. 

 

Get the best back guy you can. 🙂

 

 

Considering age and possibilities for recovery after a surgery I think I might be right, but I'm not expert on his case or any other cases except my own experiences and what I was told, and what I see for most common people with back problems who went down that road before and after me. 

Better off losing some weight, 50kg overweight is more than any spine could handle.

4 hours ago, fellwalker said:

I am 77 years old and weigh 125 Kgs, part of the problem. I have had a bad back for most of my adult life due to an early set of rugby injuries.

Of late say 1 year it has got steadily worse and currently I exhibit.

·       Tingling in both legs

·       Occasional sciatic pain right leg

·       Numbness in my left foot, toe next to large

·       Intermittent numbness in my right foot

·       Balance issues

 

I have recently had a series of CAT scans subsequent to bowel surgery for cancer and the radiologists have diagnosed and I quote “Lumbar spondylosis, pronounce at L4-S1 vertebra is shown”.

The pictures look problematical from even an untrained eye.

There are bone spurs and thinning of the intervertebral discs. Not bursting is evident.

 

I have read horror stories about vertebra fusion.

 

Any advice on your experience or solution would be helpful.

1.   Type of surgery

2.   Hospital

3.   Experienced Dr

4.   Costs if surgery

 

Sheryl was particularly helpful with an HRT issue with my wife.

I wouldn't think about any surgery now.

A good physiotherapist will help you.

And your overweight (obesity) is indeed a major problem.

As I don't know your height I can't tell you what should be your weight in future.

If after weight loss and many hours (3-6-12 months) with a physiotherapist there are still problems, then you can go to the next step.

4 hours ago, fellwalker said:

I am 77 years old and weigh 125 Kgs, part of the problem. I have had a bad back for most of my adult life due to an early set of rugby injuries.

Of late say 1 year it has got steadily worse and currently I exhibit.

·       Tingling in both legs

·       Occasional sciatic pain right leg

·       Numbness in my left foot, toe next to large

·       Intermittent numbness in my right foot

·       Balance issues

 

I have recently had a series of CAT scans subsequent to bowel surgery for cancer and the radiologists have diagnosed and I quote “Lumbar spondylosis, pronounce at L4-S1 vertebra is shown”.

The pictures look problematical from even an untrained eye.

There are bone spurs and thinning of the intervertebral discs. Not bursting is evident.

 

I have read horror stories about vertebra fusion.

 

Any advice on your experience or solution would be helpful.

1.   Type of surgery

2.   Hospital

3.   Experienced Dr

4.   Costs if surgery

 

Sheryl was particularly helpful with an HRT issue with my wife.

i have never heard of a A cat scan that will  show spinal problems. I suggest you see another doctor and get an MRI. I recommend you do not have surgery. Once done, there is a great chance the future will be unpleasant for you. Only get surgery after all other options have been tried. You risk the whole spine to have problems. 

I know all this from experience. I had a ruptured disc in L5 S1 and since have had to have.3 more surgeries plus about 6 different injections and procedures in 15 years and am currently experiencing worst problems than you are. 

You need lose weight, get a steroid injection into the spine and begin therapy. See how it works if, if the diagnoses is correct. 

 

At 77 I'd loath to have back surgery. 

 

How far are you from Salaya? Mahidol has a great PT program, and Golden Jubilee hospital a great PT department. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, thesetat said:

i have never heard of a A cat scan that will  show spinal problems. I suggest you see another doctor and get an MRI. I recommend you do not have surgery. Once done, there is a great chance the future will be unpleasant for you. Only get surgery after all other options have been tried. You risk the whole spine to have problems. 

I know all this from experience. I had a ruptured disc in L5 S1 and since have had to have.3 more surgeries plus about 6 different injections and procedures in 15 years and am currently experiencing worst problems than you are. 

You need lose weight, get a steroid injection into the spine and begin therapy. See how it works if, if the diagnoses is correct. 

 

My scan was called a CT of the lumbar spine.

 

CAT scans are best at bone scans, and complex fractures. They would show spinal problems such as spondylosis, and vertebrae degeneration.

 

MRI's are the gold standard for soft tissue imaging, such as nerve degeneration and cartilage loss.

 

It's possible once the OP's problems were identified, the doctor decided a follow-up MRI was unnecessary.

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Daily stretching may help, it was game changing with my back

Any link to your routine please?

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

IMO surgery is best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

 

I have similar spondylosis in three areas, plus chronic osteoarthritis in the lower spine.

 

I manage with a morning heat pack plus stretching exercises. I find swimming daily is good therapy. Massages three times a week.

 

2-3  times a week, I take 50 mg of Tramadol and 400 mg of ibuprofen, enabling me to play pain-free golf.

 

A physio once told me "use it or lose it".

 

I weighed 100 kg in Australia. I am now a very trim 77 kg. Yes, losing weight helps.

Can you explain heat pack, a link to the product you use would be wonderful.

4 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Any link to your routine please?

search on youtube, using the exact issue, like, lower back stretches. Personally the game changer for me was using the rag doll, amazing how effective it is, it's about finding what works for you. For me focusing on hamstrings helped the most 

 

Tens stimulation also helped prior to stretching, now i don't need tens

I'll add after decades of back spasms stretching alone didn't help me...maybe wrong exercises.

I found core stabilisation has eliminated the spasms. Google the McGill three. 8 minutes a day has really helped. 

Still have problems but life is livable again.

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

search on youtube, using the exact issue, like, lower back stretches. Personally the game changer for me was using the rag doll, amazing how effective it is, it's about finding what works for you. For me focusing on hamstrings helped the most 

 

Tens stimulation also helped prior to stretching, now i don't need tens

I just looked for a ragdoll on Amazon for back pain lol. The stretch looks interesting. I'll try it.

 

4 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Can you explain heat pack, a link to the product you use would be wonderful.

The liquid heat packs on Lazada and in pharmacies are prone to splitting. Messy.

 

I make my own. It involves filling a cloth sleeve with about 1 kg of wheat, or rice. An old long sleeve shirt is ideal, 40 cm length. Sew the sleeve closed.

 

Place in a microwave with half a cup of water for 2 minutes. More if you want hotter.

 

I lie down with the heat pack horizontal under my butt, set a timer on my phone for 5 minutes.

 

It helps mobilize my back for subsequent stretching exercises.

9 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

I just looked for a ragdoll on Amazon for back pain lol. The stretch looks interesting. I'll try it.

 

Here you go, also about changing how you bend over, using hip muscles rather than the weaker lower back

 

https://youtu.be/R21LdKm8Ov4?si=QUowu7jlUj_PRty6

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Here you go, also about changing how you bend over, using hip muscles rather than the weaker lower back

 

https://youtu.be/R21LdKm8Ov4?si=QUowu7jlUj_PRty6

Thanks 

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The liquid heat packs on Lazada and in pharmacies are prone to splitting. Messy.

 

I make my own. It involves filling a cloth sleeve with about 1 kg of wheat, or rice. An old long sleeve shirt is ideal, 40 cm length. Sew the sleeve closed.

 

Place in a microwave with half a cup of water for 2 minutes. More if you want hotter.

 

I lie down with the heat pack horizontal under my butt, set a timer on my phone for 5 minutes.

 

It helps mobilize my back for subsequent stretching exercises.

Thank you for explaining. Why half a cup of water too? 

Just now, sidjameson said:

Thank you for explaining. Why half a cup of water too? 

The rice or wheat can catch fire if in the microwave alone. Water limits the temperature to 100 C.

I had a lumbar fusion a year ago with excellent results.  But I wad a good surgical risk, which you might not be. And the fusion was recommended  and performed  by the country's top spinal specialist. There were specific indications in my case for fusion as opposed to the  simpler minimally invasive decompredsion surgeries which are nowadays more vommonly performed.. Your case may be different. 

 

  It takes a lot of experience and expertise to know which patients will benefit from surgery  and which type of surgery is best for a specific patient. 

 

i suggest you consult

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

 

I would not delay as your symptoms are alarming (radiculopathy down to the feet).

 

 

Please no surgery, ruined my live. use Gabapentin for nerve pain. Tramadol for other pain and do physio therapy. Lose weight.

I have numbness in my toes, other areas of the feet and legs, and hands. Some areas have lost their feeling entirely. My back is in good condition, and I've never had a serious back injury. My guess is you might have diabetic neuropathy, and it's not related to your back injury.