my herniated disc

october 15th 2008 on a paddling trip with Thomas, Mary and John on the colorado river , i herniated my disc.

I had very painful condition that affected every aspect of my life.

After a long and painfull flight back home i had a nice talk with a dear friend who happened to be one of the best neurosugeon in the States. http://www.raleighneurosurgical.com/physicians-lacin.htm

tratements timeline:

Short period of rest

Ice pack

Hot pack

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs)
Oral steroid

MRI http://www.raleighrad.com/open-bore-mri.html

Once I seen that image I knew why I was in so much pain. I was reading fail surgery's on Lumbar Discectomy, success rate's, the recovery time I would be expecting, the type of activity I would be able to do after surgery and anything else I could think of.

An epidural (cortisone) injection

........ and my mood has been a little off because of my lack of being able to get in my

kayaking activities. I missing it a lot !!!!

after two and a half month constant pain i asked for the surgery :(((

The surgical Procedure

What happens during the operation?
Patients are given a general anesthesia to put them to sleep during most spine surgeries. As you sleep, your breathing may be assisted with a ventilator. A ventilator is a device that controls and monitors the flow of air to the lungs.
Discectomy surgery is usually done with the patient kneeling face down in a special frame. The frame supports the patient so the abdomen is relaxed and free of pressure. This position lessens blood loss during surgery and gives the surgeon more room to work.

Laminotomy and Discectomy

Laminotomy and discectomy is the traditional method of removing the disc. Laminotomy is taking off part of the lamina bone (the back of the ring over the spinal canal). This allows greater room for the surgeon to take out part of the disc (discectomy).
An incision is made down the middle of the low back. After separating the tissues to expose the bones along the low back, the surgeon takes an X-ray to make sure that the procedure is being performed on the correct disc. A cutting tool is used to remove a small section of the lamina bone.

Next, the surgeon cuts a small opening in the ligamentum flavum, the long ligament between the lamina and the spinal cord. This exposes the nerves inside the spinal canal. The painful nerve root is gently moved aside so the injured disc can be examined. A hole is cut in the outside rim of the disc. Forceps are placed inside the hole in order to clean out disc material within the disc. Then the surgeon carefully looks inside and outside the disc space to locate and remove any additional disc fragments.

Finally, the nerve root is checked for tension. If it doesn't move freely, the surgeon may cut a larger opening in the neural foramen, the nerve passage between the vertebrae.

What happens after surgery?

Most patients leave the hospital the day after surgery. They are usually safe to drive within a week or two. Bending and lifting should be avoided for four to six weeks. People generally get back to light work in two to four weeks and can do heavier work and sports within two to three months. Workers whose jobs involve strenuous manual labor may be counseled to consider a less strenuous job.
Patients usually begin outpatient physical therapy two to three weeks after the date of surgery.