Back surgury, L5 - sacrum, pros - cons?

[LazyMoose]

I would seriously like to hear from folks that tried everything before laying on the table. I have had 'moderate' disc bulging at L4 to L5 and L5 to sacrum that was identified via MRI in 07 or 08. Back pain off and on for the last 20 years, worse the last 5 years. After studying about disc issues, it is apparent that many people have bulging discs without pain.

Just when I seem to get strong again, I re-injure it.  So this happens several times per year, it a cycle.  And I'm getting tired of it. Really limits employment choices too, as desk jobs are not for me. I used to be very athletic and still am in good shape for 43 - when my back isn't hurting.  There are 'surgery happy' docs and the opposite, ones that say back surgery is insane.

I am familiar with myfacial muscle release (trigger point release), I practice daily. Helps to prevent injury, but not always.  Just finished my 4th program of back PT since '05. I was stronger , but hurt my low back again today in the gym anyway. The last two programs were with Med-X brand strenthening equipment- I do recommend it but nothing is magic. The idea is to strengthen the lower back so much that the muscle wont like or let the spine become misaligned. The concept works at different levels with most people.

So.....I have done all I can do to stop this cycle of pain. I am not willing to live a sedentary life popping Advil every time my back goes out. When this heals, based on my past history, it will come back again when I least expect it.

looking at future options. So what type of surgery do they do for this? Fuse L5 to the sacrum? How do you know for sure where the pain is originating from? I dont want to get fused and find out the pain was from another vertebra - that happens to people.

I would appreciate to hear peoples experience with this.

thanks

[LazyMoose]

Kev, do you know just what epidural cortizone does to the injured disc or nerve? I can goggle, but was it explained to you?

[LazyMoose]

Kevin, small world. Yes I have tried everything but injections. What KIND OF DOC did you see for this?

You know I was pain free (well close) for one year until my old thyroid med was discontinued and got weak with pain all over. I think the discs were healing.

Re- injured this June, when I was still very hypo. When back to PT this fall. Hurt it again first time since this June.

I would like to look into these injections. Did it hurt the rest of the day after injections?

I want to lift with confidence again.

[kl42]

moose i have 2 bulging disks. and 2 heriated disks in my back at least thats what it was 3 years ago. doesn't bother me at all now. it used to be extreme pain,  burning , real bad. i had epidural cortizone injestions 3 of them it helped some people swear by them.your  in and out in a couple hours, did alot of pt, and chiro seem to have helped alot keeping my back in line . the chiro theory is that it takes like 5 years to fully heal a disk  and alot of people have this problem and are walking around no problems. but if you keep your spine in line through frequent adjustments i, that the  body will heal but it's the slowest part of your body to heal. i'd try anything before surgery. i know a few people who have had the fusion with not great results. and i know a few people who were considering it and didn't do it and a year later are pain free, just my opion but id try everything else first. Kevin