Looking for advice.
I am 19yrs old and just had discectomy/laminectomy/neurolysis for 12mm disk herniation at l4/l5, i am 9weeks post op and pain is worse and getting worse. I had this disk bulge for 12months before surgery as i was told the disk would heal becauae of my age! the only problem that i found out the hard way is that the disk heal whilst being herniated so it had wrapped itself with scar tissue around the nerve causing all sorts of problem, my surgeon said it was the worst case he has seen in 33yrs. I recently got an MRI which looks like a disk bulge about half the size at the same level has appeared (which is pretty depressing) and the l4/l5 disk is entirely black and about half the size (disk degeneration).

I am just wondering if I have a spinal fusion which my surgeon said might be an option would it stabilise my spine or put to much pressure on the above and below disk (which by the way had a 4mm bulge at each level but the went after PT) could it possibly get rid of my pain as NO pain medications work end one, valium, fentyl NOTHING! haha i guess im just fed up as someone my age shouldnt have these problems.

A fusion won't necessarily get rid of the pain. All it would do is fix the mechanical issues just as your past surgery did. Would a fusion put more stress above and below yes. Your still young and the body has amazing ways of healing, if you haven't gotten a myelogram I would suggest it, it revealed a lot more than what an MRI was showing for my back. I just had a laminectomy and disectomy dec of last year. Unfortunately mine was a failure, within 16 days I had reherniated L4-L5 as well as new herniations above and below. Do your research, ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion if not 3. An try all the conservative things possible to help, work on your core as well bc a strong core can help alleviate a lot. Let us know how it goes . I know for myself I'm dealing with the pain until I can't any longer and then I'll go in for a fusion, bc one surgery always seems to lead to more unfortunately...take care

Sorry you are going through the back issues as such a young age. I am curious as to why hardware wasn't used first surgery? You do have every right to question the vertebra above the surgical site and below. There is failed back syndrome, and something called the domino effect, where indeed, the ones above and below fail. Your neurologist needs to talk to you about the risk. It does sound as if you will need to address the herniation. I want you to know that second surgeries can and do turn out OK. My own did. Just get your second opinion and make sure all your questions are answered to your satisfaction. I do care, and hope this gets a good resolution for you. ginnie

I had a lumbar fusion almost 8 years ago (L4-5). The position of the vetebrae was crushing a nerve. The surgeon said he had never seen, as he described, such a "red, angry" nerve. I still have pain; but if I had not had the fusion that nerve would have been completely destroyed by the pressure. Even tho I still am in pain, the fusion was necessary.

I also agree that a second opinon, as well as a myleogram might be the way to go before making any decision.


Gerry