Lidoderm, Artificial Discs, and Surgery for Spinal Stenosis - More Patients' Advice

Back-to-Back

In this section, patients share their insights on evaluating treatment options for spinal stenosis.

View Spinal
Stenosis Videos

I went for one complete year in bed with therapy, steroid injections, discectomy twice, before opting for the three level fusion with three titanium cages and a total disc replacement two years ago. I spent two years full of complications from the surgery and on pain meds along with muscle relaxers and drugs to help with the depression - thanks to the complications I could not start therapy for 1 1/2 years.

In This Article:

• Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice Part I
• Lidoderm, Artificial Discs, and Surgery for Spinal Stenosis - More Patients' Advice

Through all the meds, I could not tell what was real and what was not. I got off of all meds - because they only fix 40% of the problem your body does 60%. I still have numbness and pain - sometimes severe but I do a lot of praying, breathing, walking and holding my stomach in while breathing. Now they are telling me I may have more problems - I think this time it will take a lot more for me to do it again. But it does it feel better being off the meds for a while. When the stenosis gets really bad - I try a lidoderm patch. It is the best way I know how to cope.

From: Terri - Louisiana, USA

Article continues below

On April 20th 2007 I went into hospital for spinal surgery. It was not a decision taken lightly, but really my only choice. After 10 years of on and off disc related back pain, having tried physiotherapy and steroid injections and more tablets than I care to think about, I opted for surgery. I had an anterior fusion L4/5 and L5/S1 and a total disc replacement L3/4. The artificial disc is metal on metal, Maverick brand.

Well, I still have a lot of pain and can tolerate 30 minutes on my feet. I take pain meds every 2 hours and have wondered if surgery was right, time will tell.

From: Mark – Wellington, New Zealand

At first I tried mind over matter- more PT, exercise and worked harder in denial, then it got so bad that it really interfered with all aspects of my life- adjustments we made before the stenosis surgery were: 8 way power lumbar heated seats in truck, we got a new mattress, a reclining couch, lots of flexural, ibuprofen, methlopredlisone steroids, tramadol, vicodin, weekly massage, thermacare heat wraps (they allowed me to keep working outside) and ice packs, work restrictions. I did not do the injections because so many people warned me against them- The surgeon I chose was awesome with a great outlook , though the first one I talked to was doom and gloom, the constant extreme burning and fire and sensation on my right leg and buttock has ceased except sometimes at night or if I step wrong!

More Spinal Stenosis Info:

Spinal Stenosis Overview

Cervical Stenosis

Lumbar Stenosis

Stenosis Treatments

My right ankle still hurts but not near as bad. I had a L5-S1 fusion, artificial disk, and my nerves decompressed at 28 years old 5 months ago, recovery has been rough but I am thankful, I have residual nerve damage in my left arm, it feels like novicane and drops stuff- it is frustrating, but at least my leg is so much better-since the surgery- Oxycodone, flexural, a walker and toilet seat (not anymore), Heat pad/floorgrabber is a must, ergo-office chair as a kitchen chair, refrigerator with freezer on the bottom, walking/pacing 1000 steps a day- I feel like I am coming out of a fog- but only need walking stick outside in snow and I get to start working 4 hours a day office/light duty and lifting 5 lb weights, just not driving, hurts! I am devastated my surgeon is retiring- but I hope to be back to normal soon- life transitions and challenges us like the northern lights to become stronger, determined, and flexible!

From: Brandy - Alaska, USA

Suffering from Spinal Stenosis?

Visit the Spinal Stenosis Clinical Trials section for the latest developments.

I had a lower back surgery Sept, 2006. I now have worse back pain than before, and on top of that I have gained numbness in my left leg. Moderate nerve damage caused by the surgery I thought that was going to relieve the pain I tried to live with the past four years. Now I'm seeing a neurosurgeon. He tells me I have bruised nerves due to misplaced screws. Well you learn to shop for a dr. like a car.

From: Bigboot - North Carolina, USA

Communicate with others about leg pain conditions and treatments.

* Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

If you have questions about your specific condition or treatment approach, please go through this site to read peer-reviewed health information about spinal conditions, diagnosis and treatment options. The quickest way to locate information on the site is to use the “keyword search” located in the upper left hand corner of each page. Also, if you want to talk online with others who may be in a similar situation, please go to the Message Board.