Anyone had surgery for a herniated disc?

lpwish

MH has a herniated disc in his neck, and several doctors have recommended surgery over PT and pain management, since it's pressing on a nerve.  Has anyone had it or know someone who has?  I'm just curious what the recovery is like.  Thanks!

Traba

I have had surgery for a herniated disc three times. The first was due to a car wreck. I tried pt and cortisone injections first and after two years the pain was unbearable. I was in the hospital four nights. This was in 1992. My next one was February 2002 due to a ski accident. My hospital stay was one night.. It was so bad that they said pt would not help. Dr. Martin Camins at Mt. Sinai did it and it was a horrible experience. I woke up with the same pain. I ended up going back to my original surgeon in Chicago and he fixed what the other surgeon screwed up. This time I stayed only one night and was running half marathons months later. I actually was back at work a week later. I probably should have rested longer but I always push it. Oh, mine were all lower back. L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Mc_Newlywed

I had two herniated disks (also lower back) and 1 of them ruptured.  You do NOT want that to happen.  

I was in the hospital for about 4 days (4 very painful days but manageable with drugs) then I was home and moving slowly for about a week (off pain pills about 1-2 days out of the hospital)  The second week out, I flew to Ohio to be in my sister's wedding. I was mobile but slow.  But not in any significant pain.    

It's a serious surgery and you do have to take it easy.  But I felt like after I passed the two week mark I recovered very quickly.  

mrs.marie.g

Mc_Newlywed:

I had two herniated disks (also lower back) and 1 of them ruptured.  You do NOT want that to happen.  

I was in the hospital for about 4 days (4 very painful days but manageable with drugs) then I was home and moving slowly for about a week (off pain pills about 1-2 days out of the hospital)  The second week out, I flew to Ohio to be in my sister's wedding. I was mobile but slow.  But not in any significant pain.    

It's a serious surgery and you do have to take it easy.  But I felt like after I passed the two week mark I recovered very quickly.  

oiy vey....my dh has a herniated disk and i wonder if surgery is in his futuer. this is round two of pt for him in five years.

this was a useful post for me thanks

JillBrady

Tagging this to see the responses. 

I have a herniated disc in my neck (C4-C-5) that when I turn my head to the right, I get pins and needles down my whole left arm.  I did PT and chiropractor in the beginning while taking Medrol (steroid pack).  The sharp pain went away after a few weeks but the pins and needles are still there.    This has been going on since two weeks before Christmas. 

I meet with my neck specialist surgeon on the 20th of this month to discuss what my options are.  Original orthopedic doc said that disc replacement is most likely.  Or I can opt for pain management and get an injection until the pain is horrible again.  I think surgery is the inevitable but I'm really crammed for any free time to have it done.  I may have to suck it up till May. 

Hope your DH feels better soon.

lpwish

Thanks to all for the responses.  I think it's pretty much along the lines of what MH was told, which was one night in the hospital, and most likely out of work for one week.  His is a C 5-6 herniation, and he's been in fairly significant pain since the end of December.  Thie doctor told him that he could try PT and injections, but in a few months, he'd be right back in the office, discussing surgery, so I think he's just going to go ahead now and get it done. 

Bashert628

My grandpa had it. I would strongly recommend against it. It's a horrible story so if you wanna know PM me but I don't want to post it here and scare anyone.

Sarahmun

I would only have it done at www.HSS.edu! They are #1 in the country for orthopedics! We need to take advantage that we are so close to the best!!  They usually work with you even if the doctor is out of network, so long as you have out of network coverage. There are so in-network doctors too and the hospital takes most insurance. MH had surgery there and we didnt have to pay the doctor the out of network difference and he was great!! would def go back there again for any ortho surgeries!

GL!

colleen724

I had two corrected in my lower back with a discectomy.  No fusion or anything like that.  I was home the next day and back at work in 2 weeks.  For me, as someone that spent the better part of her son's first year in misery and pain, the surgery was a godsend.

I had herniated discs in that area once per year for about 5 years and worked through it with PT.  But this time the disc wouldn't go back in, and I'm so glad I finally agreed to the surgery. 

ATSBRIDE

I did..but mine was for lower back..recovery wasn't awful ..but years later and my back is a mess, lol..so I'm really no help.

ceetee

Sarahmun:

I would only have it done at www.HSS.edu! They are #1 in the country for orthopedics! We need to take advantage that we are so close to the best!!  They usually work with you even if the doctor is out of network, so long as you have out of network coverage. There are so in-network doctors too and the hospital takes most insurance. MH had surgery there and we didnt have to pay the doctor the out of network difference and he was great!! would def go back there again for any ortho surgeries!

GL!

this isn't true. there are plenty of other good surgeons in both the city and nj.  go to a spine surgeon...FELLOWSHIP TRAINED though... can be a neuro or an ortho surgeon, but make sure that spine is what they do all day every day and that they did a a spine fellowship.  one of the most important things to look for when choosing a spine surgeon. 

Sarahmun

ceetee:

Sarahmun:

I would only have it done at www.HSS.edu! They are #1 in the country for orthopedics! We need to take advantage that we are so close to the best!!  They usually work with you even if the doctor is out of network, so long as you have out of network coverage. There are so in-network doctors too and the hospital takes most insurance. MH had surgery there and we didnt have to pay the doctor the out of network difference and he was great!! would def go back there again for any ortho surgeries!

GL!

this isn't true. there are plenty of other good surgeons in both the city and nj.  go to a spine surgeon...FELLOWSHIP TRAINED though... can be a neuro or an ortho surgeon, but make sure that spine is what they do all day every day and that they did a a spine fellowship.  one of the most important things to look for when choosing a spine surgeon. 

It is rated #1 that much is true and its stated on their website and based on my experience I recommend them. I didn't say others aren't good, Im basing my opinion on 2 surgeries there from 2 different physicians. MH has had a total of 4 surgeries on his joints and I have seen different hospitals and different doctors from all over for opinions and for his 2 other surgeries. Based on our experience, this is what I recommend. People use Nj and other city doctors everyday, and they are good as well. My dad is considering surgery out of valley; but she hasnt had it yet so i can't rec yet.  I agree def. need to be specialized in spine, no matter where they are! Brother inlaw had Cspine disectomy out of UMDNJ and wasn't happy with results. That is the only experience I know of from there.  GL! I say get a few opinions and then decide.