Laminectomy info

Triathlon Forum
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Posting for a cycling friend (who is also old). Any advice (ignore the comment about sleeping with our wives…)?

Guys,

Looks like I’m losing the battle w/ a few herniated disks (L3-L4 & L4-L5 w/ S1 involvement) & “severe” stenosis – according to my MRI. Over the past 2 months, the pain associated w/ standing or walking sucks and the only thing that seems to help is not standing for more than 10 minutes @ a time, ice, stretching & riding my road bike (no shit… it really seems to relieve the pressure…).

I have been to see both Gerry Goldberger (my favorite Orthopod & TriGeek) and Paul Marcotte (Head of Neurosurgery/Spine Surgery @ HUP & friend of my family) both are saying the same thing… its degenerative and “eventually” I will need a laminectomy or two to fix it. Basically, it’s a question of going thru the typical alternatives in hopes of getting it stabilized to see if surgery can be avoided.
Started going to a really good pain specialist & tomorrow he is going to knock me out to do 2 selective blocks and an spine epidural… I’m hoping this will give some relief.

The reason I’m writing you is in hopes that you all will take pity on me and let me sleep w/ your wives… would also be interested in any experiences you or your friends have with this sort of surgery – specifically recovery times, realistic expectations about cycling and exercise post-op.

Love & Kisses,
Dave

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Dave,

Best of luck. No experience YET butin a similar boat and seeing my Neuro next tuesday. Sorry but its a no on the wife, really pretty fond of her BUT you can sleep with my first wife, if you havent already! Hee hee.
Feel well!

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I had a lamenectomy at L4/L5 about 8 years ago at 24 yrs old after a ski accident. I first went through PT without success, got an MRI and surgery was recommended - neurosurgeon was a xc skier and cyclist and understood my active lifestyle, etc. It took a solid 6 to 8 months (say one season) to mostly heal and get strength back, and I listened to the letter what the surgeon and PT recommended for recovery. The key is to let everything heal correctly the first time - no pushing the timeframe. (There have been previous conversations on this topic on this forum where people have said their recovery time was much shorter; maybe the procedure is less invasive and traumatic now?) I would also ask about disc replacement; this procedure was not offered back then, but this might be a possibility. However, I’m not sure if this will work with a multi-level disc injury. My best advice is to see a PT specializing in spine/back issues. I’m working with one now who is doing wonders for my occassional back issues-core strength is key. Good Luck!