Hello evevryone

[Jimbo]

First time posting.
Will update later as to my situation.

[mmglobal]

welcome Jim!

[Jimbo]

Thank you.
just trying to familiarise my self with how the forum works (never posted on one before)
i will appoligise in advance for my poor spelling/typing skills.

After reading a few of the Theads i am now going back over my medical history so that i can explain my self a bit clearer

Jim

[Poncho]

Welcome to the forum Jim!!! I hope you find the information you are looking for here. Looking forward to seeing more posts from you and your history.

Take care,
Poncho

[Jimbo]

well here is the basics
I am 38 yo
Male
My back was injured as a small child ( not clear on all the details .. 2 weeks layed up at home ..parents did not seek medical help )

Was very active sports person through my teenage and early to mid twenties, competed at Local, State and National levels until 28Yo(1998). Stopped all sporting activity due to never ending back problems.
Degenerative L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1

recieved the following:
2002 - L4-L5 Discectomy/ Laminectomy (after about a month of blacking out )
Recovery was good and was back to work after 7 weeks. Life was was wonderfull without back pain .... despite being very carefull ... this did not last

2006 - L4-L5 Discectomy/ Laminectomy (kept suffering temp. paralisis whilst walking ... not pleasant) Surgeon tells me i had a massive bulge and that a large amout of bone had to be removed.

My recovery this time around was not at all what i was hoping for. Intialy had problems with scar tissue and swelling that took about a month to get relief from. Ever since i have had to be very carefull with everything i do, the slightest bump or mistep puts me down for the day.It has been 19 months since the last operation. I am now at the piont were i need to do something about this again.(apparently i am unbearable to live with)

Started serching the web for someone with simalar problems (looks like i may have found the place)
Trying to find someone who has had disc replacement in Australia.

well back to work.

jim

[mmglobal]

Jim... what was your sport?

Hopefully, you are still a good candidate for ADR. (removed too much bone in laminectomy?) Only listed to very experienced ADR surgeons sho have the option of performing ADR about that..... "you are not a good candidate" often means something different from someone without the option of performing the procedure, than it does from someone who does. Experience level is also key in understanding when the limites can or can't be pushed.

Dr. Matthew Scott-Young is the most experienced ADR surgeon in Australia.

Good luck on your quest.... all the best,

Mark

[Maria]

Hi Jim,
Have had discectomies at L5S1 (successful/'89) and one at L4(failed/'92) and been advised I'm a candidate for disc replacement/fusion so can relate to what you're saying wanting to go forward and check out further options for relief~ Good luck with this and hope if you feel like it you'll post your quest on this.
take care and once again, Welcome! Maria

[dshobbies]

Jimbo,

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about finding your way around. We all were there.

I had my first discectomy in 1994 and my second in 2002, which lasted less than 1 year. What doctors don't tell you, statisically speaking, is the failure rate of 2nd and further sugeries.

ADRs aren't the answer for everyone nor are they guaranteed a positive outcome and the decision to go forward is fraught with anxiety but can also mean a new (or renewed) life. To date, almost 2 years post op, I'm still dealing with issues but I'm not stuck in a chair all day, every day anymore. Despite my semi success, I'm very happy I went to Germany 2 years ago. My only regret is that I didn't do this is 2002 before my DDD progressed to 4 levels.

Please keep reading these posts and ask questions. Do your research. You have options and all should be explored.

Good luck to you, Dale

[Jimbo]

[quote=mmglobal;2544]Jim... what was your sport?

Up until i was 18 competed in Athletics .. 800, 1500 meters, Football, Judo and Tae Kwon Do ..... then found i prefered Tae Kwon Do (suited my work and play life at the time) trained in a couple other styles but just prefered Tae Kwon Do.


Thank you for pionting me in a direction.

Jim

[Jimbo]

Thank you Maria for your post i will do my best to keep you all informed