Injury update, advice please

I have been recently posting about my back injury and well its got worse!

I got severe pain on Monday and no feeling in my left leg again, I have already used my 8 sessions of physio that my health insurance will pay for so when I spoke to them they said I needed a referal form my Gp for a specialist.

OK so yesterday I saw my GP and explained the symtoms, she said I need to go for an MRI and called the hospital and told me to go straight there. OK I arrived and spoke to the neurosurgen who advised that I did need an MRI but didn't think it was that serious but would try and get me one that day.

Was moved into a ward, and waited almost 8 hours, however they gave me a nice big shot of morphiene so i was happy and the nurse that was looking after me kindly brought me food and cups of tea (very nice person)

OK so had MRI and was told that the disc in my back was ruptured and has fragmented into my sciatac nerve and he recommned surgery to remove the fragments. He wanted to take me in last night and do the surgery this morning! I aksed hin about aother opions and he said with rest it may get better but I'm risking losing control of my bowels/bladder etc. He was very doom and gloom and said my wrestling and weighlifting days were over and if I have surgery I may lead a normal life etc.

I told him to do a report for my GP and I'll think about it. I called my health company this morninbg and they said I had done the right thing but noit having surgery right awau and told me to go to a private back specialist to get antoher opinion.

So I am asking here if anyone has had a similar injury and if you opted for surgery? Also who would be the best back specialist in London? I don't need to wory about cost as it's covered by insurance.

Guess I'll try and remain positive!

Sounds nasty.
I must have missed the related post - how did the injury occur?

Don't know exactly bro! I have been nursing back pain for a long time but just been workjing throuhg it. Just woke up the other week and could hardly walk!

As per an earlier post when you highlighted this last time. I had a problem with L5/S1 ie a complete degeneration of the disc.

Despite reservation, I had it replaced last year and have never looked back.

I was treated in Southampton so don't know of any London specialists.

If you want any general advice, please feel free to PM.

Sorry to hear that mate. Sounds like your surgeon was a bit too negative - since it's a decision you have to agonise over i would strongly consider a second opinion.

My mum has had a number of operations on her back for what turns out to be a hereditary condition and she dealt with a number of people - the one she settled on was just a perfect match to her concerns and in the end all worked out pretty well.

Obviously they need to make you aware of the potential complications - but seek out as much advice and information as you can from real people (not just google/wikipedia) - find out stats on the surgeon, on the operation etc. and let that help you decide.

You will need to accept the reality of risk of such an operation but it's best if you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

Yeah been looking around but there are so many? I'm makiing a guess that Harley st group are one of the best in the UK???

ON a side note apart from the slight negagtivity of the Neurosurgen I couldn't complain about the service I got in the NHS. I wasn't even registered with a GP on Monday so when I went in and explained my problem I was registered and had an appointment firs thhing the next day and had an MRI??

It has certainly restored my faith in them and I can honestly say its much better in London than Belfast

Sorry to hear man, sounds like a tough decision. The best advice I can give you is definately get a second opinion. Also Harley street is not what it used to be, so by all means check them out, but don't assume they are good because of the Harley street address.

FWIW my dad just had work on a disc that had collapsed and he's now 2-3 month later, right as rain.  You will get better, even if it doesn't seem like that now.

OK I went to see a consulant in a the Harley st clinic yesterday (very posh) He wasn't all doom and gloom like the NHS guy and my GP (she freaked when she found out I flew home at the weekend) He said I wasn't in imediate danger unless I do something stupid liekj lifting weights! He had experince of dealing with Athlete types and said my disc was badly ruptured and I could rest for 6-9 months and it "may" get better but even if it did I would have a weak back and could easily reinjure it or I could opt for surgury and be back to normal in 6 weeks?? However he wants be to totaly rest for two weeks to see if I show improvment and if no better we will discuss options then.

He said I can go swimming in the mean time so at least I will be getting some form of exercise.

Oh yeah check this bad boy out!

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Raven


Oh yeah check this bad boy out!

ouch!

Ow

Good luck with this, I've no advice I'm afraid.

Glad to hear that on a 2nd consultation you feel more comfortable about it.

Great back geek photo

i have a back injury which ive had for 15yrs nowhere near as bad as yours though - i was sent to a hospital in great portland street Central London - advised surgery and i turned it down but they were a good group of physios/doctors

Thanks to everyone for their postitive comments so far

u think wrestling had much to do with it coz wretlers seem to get neck/back injuries very often.

That is a pretty severe herniation. If you are feeling weakness or numbness in either leg I would get into decompressive spinal surgery asap imo. Unfortunately positive comments aren't really what's going to help you at this point. Your disc is shooting around 65% of the way into your thecal sac. Any more and you may start experiencing leg paralysis, bladder/bowel control issues, intense pain and muscle loss.

Do you have the other view of the MRI (axial plane)?

Read here:
http://www.chirogeek.com/

People to check out:

John Sutcliffe at the London Spine Clinic, Harley Street.
Paul Ankers sports rehabiliation specialist

John is one of the best spine guys in europe if not the world, you wont go wrong with his advice. Paul Ankers does rehab for a few american football teams (miami dolphins for sure) and is a nutter.

PM if you got any more Q's.

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British Bulldog


u think wrestling had much to do with it coz wretlers seem to get neck/back injuries very often.

I have no doubt it contributed to it in some way!

sub_z3ro


That is a pretty severe herniation. If you are feeling weakness or numbness in either leg I would get into decompressive spinal surgery asap imo. Unfortunately positive comments aren't really what's going to help you at this point. Your disc is shooting around 65% of the way into your thecal sac. Any more and you may start experiencing leg paralysis, bladder/bowel control issues, intense pain and muscle loss.

Do you have the other view of the MRI (axial plane)?

Read here:
http://www.chirogeek.com/

People to check out:

John Sutcliffe at the London Spine Clinic, Harley Street.
Paul Ankers sports rehabiliation specialist

John is one of the best spine guys in europe if not the world, you wont go wrong with his advice. Paul Ankers does rehab for a few american football teams (miami dolphins for sure) and is a nutter.

PM if you got any more Q's.

sub

Cheers bro, yeah I have weakness in my leg and am in two weeks rest beofre going back to see the guy in Harley street to discuss surgery options. Surgen says I wasn't in any imediate danger unless I do something stupid like lift weights.

Just back from my 2nd appointment with the consultant, I have shown improvment so I did have the option of 6-9 months rest with no guarantee of fully recovoring or opt for surgery and could be back weighlifting and wrestling in 3 months with proper rehab.

So needless to say I chose surgery and will be going to the london Harley street clinic next wednesday!

I collected a script from the Harley st pharmacy today as well, here is the bag they put it in I kid you not, bit different from the brown paper ones!

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