Back to the Doctor

Cableguy657 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2011, 05:59 PM

I had the back injury last spring. I was off from work for 3 months.
All has been good up to about a month or so ago. my back has been bothering me when I lay down, and is OK when I am up.
I went back to the doctor ( a different on this time) and he had new X-rays and a MRI done. My crushed vertebra "L1" is getting worse, with swelling that is affecting my spine. I am going to see a surgeon on Friday. From what i understand it can be done arthroscopicly, not sure what is called but its where they re inflate the vertebra. Outpatient surgery, 4 to 6 week recovery, and thats only due to the heavy lifting I do at work.
I was told this procedure should have been done or at least brought to my attention when it first happened and i wouldn't be going through this all over again.

Later,

Ken

thomaseweber · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2011, 06:08 PM

wish you the best of luck with your recovery

**Bruce!** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2011, 08:40 PM

A speedy recovery!

glngib · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2011, 08:43 PM

Sounds painful. Get well!

Cableguy657 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2011, 04:15 AM

thanks guys.

I am thinking here we go again!

racer37l · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2011, 04:30 AM

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

3 Polaris Atvs · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2011, 05:07 AM

Having a bad back and knees I know how you feel. Good luck with the surgery.

Cableguy657 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 05:10 AM

I spoke to the surgeon Friday. He told me that I should have been given more options other than pain meds and rest when I first injured my back last year. Some how I re injured my back over the past month.
My back has been bothering me when I sleep or am laying down, when i am upright its sore, but its getting worse, I was working on my pickup, crawling under it when i was installing new airlines for my airbag leveling kit. it felt like it did when I broke my back last year. this is what got me back to see the doctor, a different one. the MRI shows that my L1 has crushed a little more.
Because of the re injury I am now able to get a procedure called Kyphoplasty. which has to be done within three months of the the injury.
they go into the vertebra with needles and blow up a balloon in the vertebra to expand it hopefully back to its full size. then the balloon is deflated and cement is injected filling in the void left by the balloon and any cracks. this is a very noninvasive procedure.
Its up to me but he said that i may be able to go back to work a few days after the surgery. this is outpatient surgery.
this surgery is usually done to older people with bad or weekend bones.

Wish me luck, the surgery is scheduled for April 1st.

bgirard420 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 05:31 AM

Good luck Cable Guy! I put people to sleep day in and day out for these and similar procedures. Kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty is certainly more benign than a fusion and should hopefully get you back up and running in no time, with a proper kidney belt of course