Hi Lynn --

I couldn't agree with you more. Too many people just take whatever the doctor says and go no further. It is so important to learn everything you can about the specifics of your situation and to learn enough that you know when perhaps you are not getting the best advice.

Too many PTs are not sufficiently trained to deal with complex spinal patients, IMHO. If I had gone to the PT I finally ended up with years before when I had my first course of physical therapy, years before I ever had surgery, I truly believe the whole surgical thing could have been avoided. But I was under the care of my PCP and since I trusted him, and since he believed he knew as much as any surgeon, I just followed along with what he told me to do. The PT I went to came highly recommended, but in reality had a "one size fits all" mentality and approach to my specific problems.

The problem with books is that you need to know enough about your specific problems that you can determine which books are best for YOU. Obviously, just like spine websites, there are some great ones, and there are some that are not even factually correct. As consumers, we have to really do research so we can make those determinations.

I hope your post helps inspire others to take their health into their own hands!

Gwennie

Even in making a surgical decision, knowledge is powerful. I am up against a 2nd microdiscectomy and debating giving it a try vs. going for fusion.

It's a scary decision. I decided that I need a little more time to research and am willing to spend a little extra money to speak to enough specialists to understand everything.

I'm glad I am doing this b/c I am getting more information to make an informed decision.

Knowledge is indeed Powerful!

to be pro-active about your treatment. I was very fortunate to be referred to a physical therapy group that works closely with the local spine clinic. My physical therapist is excellent and has been key in getting me back to moving and moving more comfortably. We have worked not only at strengthening my core and leg muscles to take care of my back, but at upper body exercises with a band, since I can't lift heavier weights any longer. It is so important to keep the whole body in the best shape we can.

Linda

Really, your decision is more complex than deciding between discectomy and fusion. There are now a variety of choices with fusion. Even if you were to decide that fusion was the way to go, there is still a lot left to research. More spinal specialists are now being trained in the minimally invasive fusions, and the ones that combine artificial disc with fusion, etc. Now if a patient is aware of some of these new procedures, it will effect the selection of the surgeon, the hospital, etc.

Especially with a fusion, it is so important to learn about alignment, muscle and soft tissue balance, etc. in an attempt to avoid "adjacent disc disease" or the "domino effect" in adjoining segments.

I just read an interesting article pertaining to posture. Many people jut their head forward from what would be considered " ideal alignment." And it is usually done when sitting at the computer, etc...without us realizing we are doing it.

A well-known physical therapist, Mariano Rocobado, found in his research that for every 5 centimeters the head moves forward beyond ideal alignment, the resting tension in the lower back increases by 15%!

That is a huge amount. And those of us with lower back pain never think that partly it could be caused by how we carry our head!!

THank you.
I have realized there are varying types of fusions and trying to research them prior to my next appointments to ask the right questions.

I'm very worried about the domino effect.
Oddly when I lie flat for a long time, I feel better. I suspect it's b/c I have less compression weight on the disc. I have even wondered if inversion therapy is an option but I know I am probably past that point.

I am open to any advice on where to find information. Right now, I am doing a lot of internet searching.

I really appreciate your help.