Hi,
I just found this forum after trying to find some information about my forthcoming op.
Like all the stories on here it has been a long road to get to this point and i am due to have surgery on the 16/4/12. everyone seems to be quite informed but I didn't even know the correct name for the procedure,
I have been told that my disc has slipped and is bulging out, also I have a cyst behind it. My surgeon (a man of few words), has said that he is going to remove the disc and insert something into the space to keep it apart. He is also shaving away some of the bone each side of the facet joints, and that i also have some stenosis higher up that needs some treatment.
When I phoned his secretary today to ask how long I will be in hospital and how long off work, she said only overnight in hosp. and off work for about 10 days!!
This doesnt seem to fit in with what everyone is saying here.
Please can anyone help with this info and after reading all your comments should I go ahead , as the pain isnt quite so bad at the moment!!.:confused:
Hiya Carol d, and welcome!
I understand and empathise with your decision dilema carol, and share some of your concerns about what you have been told. I must decide on a treatment pathway myself this week as well. Scary insn't it??
Take a look at a thread further down the forum list entitled
(Newbie with facet joint cyst). It was started by a member with a simlar condition.
See what you think! You will 'soon' be able to contact her on the 'Private Message' pages and perhaps she will be able to answer some of your questions.
This next bit will seem like a 'fob off', but I promise you carol, its not!
It is very important for any pre operation patient to get as much detailed clinical information as you can carol, without it, niether you, nor sadly anyone here, will be able to give you a meaningfull response. As for the jist of your question, you really must go back to your Surgeon's Secretary and explain your fears to her, ask her to give you all the detailed information that She can and perhaps you can also ask for the Surgeon to contact you personnally, to give you more detail info.
When you have, we'll be here for you carol!!! 
Best wishes
SPINELF
Hi Carol and welcome 🙂
Sorry to hear about your back. I echo what Spinelf says, you MUST find out more. It sounds like you are describing total disc replacement which is a very different op to the normal discetomies discussed here, although it could just be a spacer I suppose?. For instance disc replacement is usually done through the abdomen not the back. Find out more and then come back, and be determined so you don't get fobbed off. Ask if the pain will removed or just reduced, and more about exactly what the operation is and what result you can expect.
Good luck.
Hi,
I just found this forum after trying to find some information about my forthcoming op.
Like all the stories on here it has been a long road to get to this point and i am due to have surgery on the 16/4/12. everyone seems to be quite informed but I didn't even know the correct name for the procedure,
I have been told that my disc has slipped and is bulging out, also I have a cyst behind it. My surgeon (a man of few words), has said that he is going to remove the disc and insert something into the space to keep it apart. He is also shaving away some of the bone each side of the facet joints, and that i also have some stenosis higher up that needs some treatment.
When I phoned his secretary today to ask how long I will be in hospital and how long off work, she said only overnight in hosp. and off work for about 10 days!!
This doesnt seem to fit in with what everyone is saying here.
Please can anyone help with this info and after reading all your comments should I go ahead , as the pain isnt quite so bad at the moment!!.:confused:
Hi Carol.
His words make no sense... Also, off work time makes no sense.
If he plans to approach booth sides (right and left) and to remove whole disc and insert cage, then he is doing a fusion surgery. This is very risky surgery with unexpectable outcome and big controversies.
Please ask exactly what type of surgery he plans to do, and also seek for a second opinion!