Does Discectomy Lead to Spinal Fusion?

Dr. John Shim discusses whether getting a discectomy puts a patient at an increased risk needing spinal fusion surgery in the future.
For more information on this topic, please visit our blog: www.shimspine.com/does-discec...
Citations:
Castillo H, Chintapalli RTV, Boyajian HH, Cruz SA, Morgan VK, Shi LL, Lee MJ. Lumbar discectomy is associated with higher rates of lumbar fusion. Spine J. 2019 Mar;19(3):487-492. PubMed PMID: 29792995
Martin BI, Mirza SK, Spina N, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke DS. Trends in Lumbar Fusion Procedure Rates and Associated Hospital Costs for Degenerative Spinal Diseases in the United States, 2004 to 2015. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Mar 1;44(5):369-376. PubMed PMID: 30074971

[@MiniForklift]

Hi. I put up with a bulging disc for ten years, I had an L5/S1 discectomy 9 days ago. For me it has been instant relief and any post-surgery pain was considerably less than the nerve pain I was experiencing before the surgery. I'm a runner and oddly I was always able to run and exercise pain free, but getting off the couch or out of the car was another story... literally crippling pain. I can't recommend this procedure highly enough. Regards from New Zealand

[@j_r0dusmc168]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS COMMENT!

[@MiniForklift]

There has been a few bumps along the way with regards to recovery but overall it's been good. I have no pain, just some pins & needles in my right foot that after a month are starting to dissipate. I'm 7 weeks on from surgery and getting back into running & cycling again. So glad I had this surgery, my life before it versus how it is now is a night and day difference

[@__sankarapandian_23]

@@MiniForklift can you please clear my doubt if have more knowledge regarding this?

[@joshuamilbecka]

Hey Jayem, fellow kiwi here. I'm considering surgery for a bulging disc and am really wanting more information on how people found the surgery and the long term. Is there a way I can get in touch with you? Thanks, Becca! 😊

[@MiniForklift]

@@joshuamilbecka Hey, thanks for the message. Feel free to flick me an email at [e-mail]

[@TonyG-iu4td]

A very good video with a lot of detail. Thank you

[@KingAeetes]

Excellent video!!! Very helpful! Much appreciated!

[@johnmitchell8925]

I really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos It's too late for me but i like to read the comments Its like the family i never had.The family of pain 🥶🥴

[@r.guardia9107]

My doctor took out too much bone and made my spine too unstable. I then injured the same disc again, but much worse. Now, he tells me I need a fusion to fix the problem. Maybe I need a really good medical malpractice lawyer instead…

[@nildadel9795]

Im scared to it ! My surgeon said it simple but I saw few friends that are using cane after this surgery 😢

[@olallaeddy]

I had herniated discL4/ L5 repaired in 1981 and now 2023 need to have more work done. Its faired up over the years but always calmed down with bed rest. now its been a year and still having pain. Hope to get in for consultation with surgeon to see my options and see how bad it is. Had MRI last April and EMG in December. Im 67 yrs old now and have so much work outside to finish before I get too old. Need to pour concrete apron on the shop I built and 150 foot gravel driveway. Took out several huge fir trees last spring and here they sit in my side yard. Scared to go out and do too much. Last Spring when I hurt it roofing one of my sheds was screaming in pain on my knees laying on a rolled up ball of pillows. Had to hang feet off the bed too. Now the pain is tolerable with a few pain pills and able to walk around ok. Drop foot a little. Slaps floor but can still lift it up. No back pain just legs and top of foot so lucky. Lucky the repair lasted this long with all the heavy work and lifting i have done oveer the years. Good luck all

[@maivezonk]

Is the risk of fusion different for each level? My husband had discectomy of L2-3.

[@sugaplumalex]

i have a bulging disk that is quite broad based, l4/5, impinging left and right lateral recesses, so im thinking surgery may be required to make this awful sciatica stop. but because the disc is hitting both sides, im worried. will that make me more likely to need a fusion?

[@johndean4230]

I had a laminectomy discectomy at L6- S1. I have a transitional disc. Back in November 1990 no surgery since then, ( THANK YOU GOD! ) I still do the exercises that my surgeon gave me back then. Over all I have done well.

[@vzeller]

L6? What species are you?

[@johndean4230]

@@vzeller Same as you. Look up transitional vertebrae disc L6-S1

[@thedownzguy]

What model year?

[@MrWilliamlynch1984]

Dr Shim I've had a microdiscectomy on l4l5 and it reherniated. Had a second microdiscectomy re do carried out on same disc. 12 weeks later the symptoms have returned my body is twisted to the left. HELP.

[@ambermroz1898]

I had a laminotomy/discectomy at L5-S1 8 months ago. I had ruptured the disc 3 times before surgery. My S1 nerves were crushed and I started having stress incontinance. I also could not lift my left heel off the floor at all and had horrible leg pain that was only relieved with oral steroids. My surgeon said my nerves were either red or blue (whichever one they are not supposed to be) and my disc was completely calcified. I had a “hospital acquired infection after my emergency surgery that took over a month on antibiotics to go away. Now after my surgery I am having significant low back pain and weakness in the evening after being active during the day. Sometimes I will try to stand after sitting and it feels like my back pulls apart (the best way I can describe it is like the bottom half of my body is pulling down while I’m trying to stand up). Post surgery MRI shows right S1 nerve is incased in scar tissue and left side has collapsed and the S1 nerve is displaced. 😔. I’m 38 with 3 little boys, I can’t do anything with them. I think I’m probably going to need a fusion but I’m scared it will make it worse. My physical therapist says I have no core strength and my hips/SI joints are misaligned, I’m hoping if I work on my core and lose some weight (I gained 30lbs after taking prednisone 6 times in 6 months) my pain will decrease.

[@masoodabdulmunamkhan2141]

Ohhh amber so sad to hear your story. Can I know how you hurt yourself? Why don't you go to Dr and get your scar tissues removed

[@KBradAdams]

Sorry to hear that Amber. I like you feel better in the morning but as the day goes on, I can barely stand without pushing on my knees for support. Once I get upright the pain goes away but that few tenths of a second kill. Rolling over in bed super painful, I have to grab the head board and pull, sex is painful or anything that my spine bends slightly from straight. I can lean back pretty far but leaning forward is crazy painful.

[@user-sh4sm9hw7k]

Oh Amber, that sounds terrible...have you found any relief?

[@noshm1092]

How are you doing now Amber, I want to hear I have exact scenario and fusion is recommended. Can you please update how is going

[@liudas4243]

I like this video. Gives me hope.

[@ashencooray]

How about if I’m going to have micro discectomy surgery for the second time ?

[@frankdatankallday4745]

How long for residual numbess to subside after L5-S1 microdiscectomy?? Im 12 days post and still very discouraged. Thanks

[@pradipmehta192]

Please reply.. I am suffering from Sciatica herniation in spine L 4 and 5 . There is no pain but numbness in the part above knee upto 8 inches. Will it be cured as I cannot walk independently without assistance who hold me tight physically. I had often fallen and minor injuries. I am falling as I cannot keep balance and always falling on back. Please reply and oblige.

[@kyzi1124]

I’ve had horrible back issues for about a year now. I was diagnosed with a L4-L5 herniated disc in March of 2022. I have been through epidurals, physical therapy and now I am about to get the surgery. The pain causes me to hunch over and I walk very oddly. Will this surgery help with my back pain that leads to me hunching and favoriting one side of my body more than the other ?

[@user-mn7te2ey5l]

Hi, I got disc herniation after BJJ Training by lifting my sparring partner. I didnt want to get a surgery at the first place but the pain and numbness became bigger and bigger. I could not tolerate it anymore. I went to ER with MRI result and Dr. said I should get a surgery as early as possible. Dr. didnt even talk about Steroid shot. I didnt want a surgery even after that day but the pain was too strong to stand even with strong pain killers. I had to decide a surgery next day and get that done. Today it is my 18 th day. I dont have any sort of pain. My left leg stll has numbness but almost 95% of numbness disappeared compared to my status of pre-surgery. I have started physio and already working 100%. Please talk to your Neurochirurgy Surgeon and decide reasonably. cheers!

[@myhappyplacewithkime1430]

Hi Dr. In 2020 I read about a potential new treatment for herniated discs, thereby avoiding a fusion. The procedure involved injecting a substance into the middle of the disc to replace the nucleus that has ruptured out of the disc. After this is done, heat is applied to the outer layer of the disc and it seals the disc. It's like repairing a flat tyre. Apparently this had been tested on sheep with excellent results. But, since 2020 there has been no further announcement about this procedure. Do you know about it? It's a procedure that will benefit millions of people around the world, and will do away with the need for many fusions. I live in hope that this new surgery is being developed.

[@nazmulhasanmasum8095]

It's called discseel

[@surenbhola107]

Thanks Doctor

[@ANGEL001ization]

Thanks for the infos Dr.

[@TheRealBillyPatterson]

I am still very active. I ride Mountain Bikes and do try to work out as much as I can. At age 36 I had L5 S1 Microdiscectomy surgery in 2007. Immediately Out of surgery, and for several years I felt great. Over time, the pain, irritation and dealing with chronic issues has returned but not to the point where I was pre surgery. I'm now 52yrs old. I've been dealing with back pain again for a number of years. I am to the point now where probably in the not too distant future, I will most likely see another doctor for further treatment. I don't know what that means but I hope it doesn't meant Spinal Fusion and significant recovery time.

[@delaware12pwner]

Look into Artifical disc instead. Cheaper and better than fusions.

[@XX-166]

@@delaware12pwnerand if you look at the data on those a lot of them wind up having to be removed

[@edwardkareem6446]

This is interesting because I just had a lumbar laminectomy and the doctor says I still have a herniated disc how does this happen why didn't they fix both things at once a year later after my surgery I get flare-ups so much pain that I can't even lean back or lean forward should I tell the doctor to do a discectomy

[@WhiteEnglish]

What about open discectomy I've had 2 and left me worse

[@vikasgupta1828]

Thanks

[@msbutterfly714]

Just had my MRI done yesterday and results they told me are "multi level disk disease bulging and herniation with protrusion on T-12 and L--1" so I am seeing a Orthopedic Sergeon on August 16th hopefully to remedy this once and for all. I dont want to keep getting shots or take pills as I dont believe in band aids. I have been suffering with this since April 2022 and Im so over the pain. God Bless all of us with healings AMEN and Amen

[@jakethesnake4971]

Thars horrible btw. How are you doing now?

[@sartainja]

Good luck from a fellow back pain sufferer. Had a disc herniation at T10 / T11. Took forever to diagnose and for it to heal.

[@marchelou512]

@@sartainja T9-T10 here. Injured it 2 years ago. Took a year of 0 exercise for the pain to stop. Then started exercising again and it came back full force. What did you do to heal? Even swimming is aggravating it now.

[@sartainja]

@@marchelou512 steroid injections from an pain orthopedic medical doctor, PT, and lots of ice treatments. You do not want to have surgery on that part of your back. Thoracic disc issues are the worst.

[@stevenberthiaume5916]

Couple times a year I get pains for weeks at a time. once a year I will have crippling pain for weeks at a time. The last time this happened a few months ago I went back to the ER and find a couple bulging discs and 1 rupture L5S1. I go in tomorrow morning for surgery.

[@alexkx8599]

How long does a degenerative disc last that is already 2/3 gone? I had surgery for it last year (10 months ago) for it being herniated. That seemed to go well but now I am scared to death about getting fusion and not getting fusion. In the meantime I am going to be doing physical therapy.

[@ShimSpineVideos]

I am sure you will be fine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYC6c2tqrLFrnac

[@Bepositive42day]

when i watched your video, you put me in a bit ease. I have been told reherniation can occur and most likely fusion can happen. I have S1 11 mm herniation with lumbar radiculopathy, seen by Neurosurgeon at Kaiser and adviced to get Microdiscectomy. I had FESI X1, gave me a bit of relief. Its been 3 mos. now, No incontinence, but with mild tingling and mild numbness on my right leg and some back spasms when i walk with a cane.

[@americanoutlaw7999]

Just had my surgery yesterday and my core muscles are hurting from maybe walking too much today. So if you are going to get this done take it easy.

[@nildadel9795]

50 years ago they didn’t have this surgeries. How people deal with it ? My mom is 85 and she has some pain here and there due osteoporosis. I live in different country and doctors treat different the problem. They don’t recommend surgery unless is really needed . They don’t recomer surgery is is just pain

[@davidj5625]

Dr Shim, may I ask you a question re muscle atrophy due to compressed nerves - I am recovering from two herniated discs, doing everything I can to avoid surgery and the doctor I've consulted agrees that this is feasible after going through MRI results. However, I am noticing some muscle atrophy in my right calf since the numbing/muscle weakness below the knee began around 2 months ago. Just wanted to ask whether this is something that can be reversed with exercise or could lead to permanent muscle loss. If there's any literature on this, that would also be much appreciated. Thanks. David from Melbourne, Australia.

[@ShimSpineVideos]

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5142005/

[@davidj5625]

@@ShimSpineVideos Thanks. Will read with interest for sure. Cheers.

[@OKOK-hm2is]

Hi. Same situation here. I've avoided surgery but was left with numbness in bug toe and muscular atrophy in left leg. It's month 6 now and it's not becoming better. Can you please share your experience after 3 years? Have your situation with numbness/atrophy improved?

[@davidj5625]

@OKOK-hm2is I had another episode of disc herniation about 15 months later, but also recovered well and now I have no sciatic pain. Shortly before the second episode, I started playing tennis and did quite a lot of stretching that involved spinal rotation. That's two years ago and now I'm fully functional with no pain. I mainly walk and swim, and consciously avoid any movement that involves too much rotation or flexion of the spine. I think it's extremely unlikely for a herniated back to be normal again. In my case keeping a good posture and minimising sitting time have helped a lot. Given enough time herniated discs seem to recover and with enough regular exercise my calf got thicker. However, I don't think it's a result of the reversal of the lost muscle.

[@OKOK-hm2is]

@@davidj5625 Did the numbing and muscle weakness go away?

[@ChefCaffy]

Sadly I few I am one of the few people that has had a spinal fusion. Last year I had a micro discectomy at L5/S1 , and it did not resolve all of the herniation. Apparently not everyone is a candidate for endoscopic micro discectomy (which is what I got). I also had it because it was an emergency surgery. Fast forward a year later, after still continuous pain, I had a minimally invasive L5/S1 fusion and has solved most of my sciatic pain. There is residual nerve damage (numbness) but I hopefully that goes away after awhile. I guess I’m one of the unlucky ones that had to get a fusion. ( or was it that I should have gotten a fusion from the get go?) How to discern what surgery to get?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

That is a conversation you need to have with your surgeon. Most will suggest the least invasive option, understanding some will need additional surgery in the future. I hope you continue to make improvements.

[@jasonreyes4110]

Do you feel way better today now ? I'm similar situation . But I was a good candidate for Discectomy. Just still didn't relieve all the pain

[@brians2328]

​@jasonreyes4110 go to Germany get disc replacement with lp-esp disc do not fuse!

[@rafaelborbacs]

Good to know. Doesn't taking out a piece of the disc make it less stable? Does the disc heal after the surgery filling up its nucleos again?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

Discectomy removes a piece of disc that has already ruptured, therefore subjecting the disc to degeneration. That is regardless of having or not having surgery. The piece of disc that is causing the issue is removed. The void where this disc came from does fill in with scar. That area of scar is weaker than the normal disc. There is a chance of another disc piece rupturing through that area. But, the rate of needing fusion is still not as high as everyone thinks.

[@dreambig8996]

@@ShimSpineVideos do people get discocomy for bulging disc if the disc is effecting the nerve?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

@@dreambig8996 Yes. But it is the last option. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH6qh3yjobd_a6c

[@sarahsoutar252]

I had L3-L5 fusion two years ago in one week the screws came loose the cages are in my spinal canal, I have severe adjacent disk disease and now scoliosis, I have seen 3 different surgeons since and they want to fuse from T10-s1 now and I am scared to death. Will I be a walking stick person? Will I be able to bend at all? How long to recovery? I am getting different answers. I have put this off for two years and spend much time in bed. I do not know what to do. Please advise.

[@TheBambipower]

What happened

[@sarahsoutar252]

@@TheBambipower I am in the same position and it sucks! I guess I just have to live this way. That surgeon pretty much destroyed my life.

[@rajeshgajane]

Thank you Dr., you explained it very well.. I have buldge disc L5-S1 and sciatica pain on left side starting from 23rd Oct 2020...i have been suffering minor slip disc issues since 2017. Recently on 30th Oct 2020, After epidurals and extensive physiotherapy pain has 80% reduced. My Dr. Has told me to be positive and continue physiotherapy for 6 weeks and then if the core is strengthen and pain further reduce I may not required discestomy surgery... My question is will conservative treatment will help in making disc go inside and will I be normal with continuing excerises?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

Greater than 95% of people with even massive herniated discs get better without surgery, and can return back to their exercises and activities. Please stay confident, but expect a set back or two while getting back to your normal life.

[@sai49859]

@@ShimSpineVideos sir 95percent in what basis, how you measure this percentage .

[@KBradAdams]

@@sai49859 I had a massive herniation, was not close to doing anything until discectomy, injections didn't work nothing did. 95% seems a little high I agree SAI.

[@freestylebully4849]

@@KBradAdams I just found out I have a L5 s1 disc bulge to the left. I have back pain when I sit but no leg pain. I been in pain 7 months .Do u have a disc bulge/ back pain or only leg pain. Also I only hurt when I sit not when I'm trying to sleep. Did you heal up completely? If so how long did it take and what did u do to heal ? Please help 😊🙃 Are u 100% healed or do u still have back pain? Are you having any complications after surgery?

[@KBradAdams]

@@freestylebully4849 My disc bulge did not heal on it's own although I know some people who have had theirs heal. Mine ended up rupturing and I was in the worst pain you can imagine. I had a microdiscectomy to remove the disc off the nerve causing severe leg pain all the way down from my back to my hip thigh calf and foot. I could not stand for more than 20 seconds or walk more than a few steps before I would have to kneel down. After surgery I could walk and pain free but my back never felt great. 2 years later I sneezed and it ruptured again pain was even worse than the first time. I had a fusion and apparently it did not get enough bone growth or fuse so looking at a revision in about 2 to 3 months. I do not have any leg pain now or sciatic pain but my back just aches and hurts doing anything like carrying a case of water into the house. I would try and take it easy if I were you and see if you can find a good dr and PT person, to get that disc to heal on its own. MIne started when I would over do it my back would go out for a couple of weeks then I felt fine then 3 months later it would do it again. If I had to do it all over again I would have taken it easy for awhile and tried to let my body heal itself, I thought I had just pulled muscles and kept working out and lifting and was doing more damage than good. Good luck. You might want to try an inversion table to se how that feels for me it made my pain worse.

[@88siddharthchopra]

I had a microdiscectomy 3 months ago.Everything is normal except my back is stiff sometimes and I get an odd pinch type feel for 2-3 seconds sometimes.Is it normal ?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

In general, after surgery, as long as you are making improvements, it should be fine. Not everyone gets completely back to normal, but if you are better, then work on increasing your tolerance by gentle core exercise, walking and stretching. Make sure to contact your own doctor if you have concerns, as I am giving general advice, and not specific to you.

[@douglasanderson5516]

@@ShimSpineVideos Where are you located? Do you take Florida Blue/My Blue insurance? I have 3 herniated disc compounded with Sciatica causing back spasm a d severe left leg pain from the thigh to the ankle making standing and walking very very painful.

[@IndustMachWerksofTX]

My neighbor had disctomey and then had to have fusion few months later cause they took to much out

[@nildadel9795]

My neighbor in’s her 4 surgery after Microdecompression. She developed infection ( sepsis) now is in a complete mess . Her brains doesn’t send signals to her reproductive system

[@marwaali7909]

i am not sure if this is right, the surgery it self takes a lot from the original disc so you end up haveing degnrative disc issues... then what :( ? its either fusion or ADR surgeries.. this is me right now. a 22 years old girl who had to do Discectimy in L4 due to herniation but after the surgery what happen is that I can't walk or stand more then 5 min ... i am very sad I cant do any daily activities any more, the surgery was 100% succsfull, however now the joints is too narrow and is cuesing pain and instability.. what do u think dr ? i am 6 months post surgery, and recently i got epidural injection but it didn't help much..

[@tarlaewatts5296]

How are you doing now?

[@realtruthseeker521]

I had no relief after discectomy and they want to do another one. I feel hopeless because do another one? But the first one didn’t work so you wanna relive more disk when I don’t have any space already? I’m thinking maybe laser surgery because it’s my understanding they clear space around the nerve. A fusion I hear can be a nightmare and cause many issue and increase your pain and then your stuck with rods and screws. Idk. Maybe I’ll try another discectomy- of stay of these horrible pain pills which I’ve been on for 17 years.

[@BriannaAmericana]

I can’t find a dr or practice that uses the laser? The one in my state closed. Do you know of a practice that uses lasers?

[@ninarodin4249]

The increasing trends in fusion surgery and others should perhaps also be seen, understood and interpreted on the background of the rocketing incidence of obesity in the US. It’s a huge load on the spine and discs, surely?

[@HypotheticalZ]

hi dr. I have a broad based central disc bulge at L4-L5. The disc is desiccated and is pressing against the cauda equina. My symptoms include severe back pain with difficulty in walking, sitting and standing due to pain in low back. But the pain not sharp rather it starts as a vague pain and turns into heaviness of back which makes it very difficult to move. Also I don’t have any shooting leg pain. My flexion and extension xrays shows no instability. So can a microdiscectomy alone solve my problem? please give your general thought. thank you.

[@manricromero]

i have the same. how are you now?

[@haseebkhawaja1050]

What did you do brother. Did you get better on your own or underwent surgery...

[@haseebkhawaja1050]

​@@manricromeroany updates !!!

[@its_ari5458]

Yes i got a discectomy, 4 months later getting ready for fusio..

[@denismccarthy2755]

Do I have a less chance of developing ASD since I'm being fused at 1 level. L5 -S1 tomorrow?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

Good luck to you. It is hard to answer your question without knowing the specifics. In general, L5-S1 fusions in isolation do well, but there is still the chance of adjacent level degeneration over time.

[@noshm1092]

Yes it is a possibility happened to me🥺

[@anjithbaiju7719]

Hiii doctor iam from india.i am 17 years old.i do my micro lumbar discectomy.if there any problem in future?? When I can go to gym??

[@SanjaySingh-qt3rm]

Fuck gym. Your goal should be a painfree happy life...

[@tractorback76]

I don't see why you'd have any more issues post disectomy than you would letting it heal on its own anyways. The damage is already done, isn't it?

[@mahmuduzzamanreal318]

Ya disc height is already reduced, but the concern is if ur surgeon took more than enoguh gell from the disc

[@masoodabdulmunamkhan2141]

Hi sir. Just wanna know that according to your experience what is the success rate of microdiscectomy? I mean are people able to live normally for many years like 20 or 30 years after the procedure?

[@ShimSpineVideos]

The vast majority of people who get microdiscectomy do well. www.spineopedia.com/article/microsurgical-treatment-of-lumbar-disc-herniation-a-report-of-158-patients-with-a-mean-followup-of-more-than-32-years/

[@Spotty2Hotty1]

They told me I was supposed to get to like 75% better and that was at 2016 and it’s 2021 and may 21st I just got the spinal cord stimulator

[@freestylebully4849]

@@Spotty2Hotty1 I just found out I have a L5 s1 disc bulge to the left. I have back pain when I sit but no leg pain. I been in pain 7 months .Do u have a disc bulge/ back pain or only leg pain. Also I only hurt when I sit not when I'm trying to sleep. Did you heal up completely? If so how long did it take and what did u do to heal ? Please help 😊🙃 Are u 100% healed or do u still have back pain? Did u get surgery? Are you having any complications after surgery?

[@Spotty2Hotty1]

@@freestylebully4849 L5 s1 on my right side I’ve had 4 surgeries and none of that has helped me I’m in more pain now than I’ve ever been

[@karamveer13]

@@Spotty2Hotty1 hi jesse, have you gone for fusion? How are you feeling now?

[@Seekingtruth-mx3ur]

Our spines are designed pretty badly. It's a disaster.

[@ShimSpineVideos]

So, how would you design the spine? It has to protect the nerves, yet be flexible so you can move. It has to be strong to provide a foundation for attachments of your limbs. It needs the ability to absorb many forces from many directions. It needs the ability to grow from a child’s frame to that of an adult. To me, the spine is an engineering marvel. Unfortunately, with all that demand, it will wear and tear.

[@Seekingtruth-mx3ur]

@@ShimSpineVideos question: do you think the spine was designed out of nothing or do you think a higher power(God) created it?

[@Seekingtruth-mx3ur]

@@ShimSpineVideos I don't know. I wish it was designed to last alot longer than it does though.

[@ShimSpineVideos]

@@Seekingtruth-mx3ur I do not want to offend anyone, but I believe in intelligent design. I also believe that God did not design our worldly bodies to last forever.

[@Seekingtruth-mx3ur]

@@ShimSpineVideos I agree on that. It had take inteligent design to create something as complex and intricate as the spine. Athiests can never answer the question how nothing could create something so complex.

[@tumenshagainaidandorj7679]

How long should you wait to lift after microdiscectomy? Can't wait to go back to gym but afraid i may not be able. Ever since this herniated disc, i am losing shape considerably and its effecting my self esteem.

[@amyamy3067]

Do not go for surgery....do excercise nd go for therapy

[@closetmonsterjesse]

You need to dead lift at least 300lbs immediately after surgery, preferably leaning forward all the way with the weight, and twist while you're at it

[@amyamy3067]

@@koolaidman4869 because m in pain ..after surgery...I do not want that any person will spoil his life

[@freestylebully4849]

@@amyamy3067 I just found out I have a L5 s1 disc bulge to the left. I have back pain when I sit but no leg pain. I been in pain 7 months .Do u have a disc bulge/ back pain or only leg pain. Also I only hurt when I sit not when I'm trying to sleep. Did you heal up completely? If so how long did it take and what did u do to heal ? Please help 😊🙃 Are u 100% healed or do u still have back pain? Did u get surgery? Are you having any complications after surgery?

[@amyamy3067]

@@freestylebully4849 I have a right foot pain....while walking...I had a surgery endoscopic of ,L4_L5

[@__sankarapandian_23]

Doctor please clear my doubt I fractured my coccyx bone in minor accident in July 2020 now I was in back pain for last 3 months and my mri reads that i do have disc bugle problem. With some exercise I had reduced my pain to 50 % . My ap diameter in l5-s1 level is 10.5 mm . Do i have spinal stenosis. My age is 25 male. Was that serious condition. This fear terrifying me more than the pain at my back. Can this condition be cured

[@ShimSpineVideos]

I can only make general comments. Coccyx fractures heal and rarely become a long term issue. Many people have mild spinal stenosis, without any symptoms. 10.5 is borderline, but by itself, should not be an issue. Too much focus on findings will cause unnecessary anxiety. Focus on your improvements, and focus on staying healthy, fit, and psychologically confident. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYC6c2tqrLFrnac

[@__sankarapandian_23]

@@ShimSpineVideos so doctor you are asking me to accept that it was ageing process at the age of 25 😑. Please clear my last doubt iam i eligible for marriage ? Sorry if it hurts you

[@ShimSpineVideos]

@@__sankarapandian_23 You are born with what you have. It does not mean it will cause a permanent issue with your life. Many people with congenital mild stenosis live fruitful lives, get married, have children and feel blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to the greatness of humanity. Please do not despair, and be confident that you can and will have a positive life.

[@rogerhoward8606]

Yes yes yes

[@oddymo3928]

Hello Dr,I had a microdiscectomy done in Berlin, Germany that was reherniated only after 6 weeks,am now 4 months post surgery. Am scared of a second surgery, I don't have too much pains but am having some nerves tangling. Permanent nerve damage is what scares me the most. Please i need your advice

[@ShimSpineVideos]

Sounds like you are getting better. It just might continue to improve over time. Please discuss with your surgeon.

[@noshm1092]

@oddyjay how are you doing now

[@oddymo3928]

@@noshm1092 is now 1 year and 2 weeks after my surgery. My back is good now, I'm back in gym lifting heavy weights

[@noshm1092]

@@oddymo3928 thank you for reply, did you get second surgery after reherniation if yes what type of second surgery

[@oddymo3928]

@@noshm1092 I don't do the second surgery instead My doctors recommend physiotherapy and it works

[@joshualucas3421]

I had two micro discectomies and it led to a fusion of my lower lumbar

[@ShimSpineVideos]

I hope you get better after the fusion.

[@joshualucas3421]

Ten years ago. I had a crest bone graft along with metal instrumentation. I had a broken disc

[@ashtonwhitcomb3217]

@@joshualucas3421 how do you feel today? you had fusion 10 years ago?

[@joshualucas3421]

Fine. No problems

[@ANGEL001ization]

Hi Joshua! Hope you get better. Can I please ask which level in your lumbar you had the micro discectomies and how you ended up having fusion cause I already had three levels of lumbar laminectomies and it doesn't seem to be helping. Thanks in advance dear.

[@ChrisEzio]

To whoever who see this. After all the research I did and believe me i dedicated two years of my life to this because of my complicate problem's. It can cause Instability only if you have DDD and they also remove part inside of the disc.

[@hxgpeter2298]

Hi Dr. Shim, This is Peter from Singapore. I have herniated disc L4/L5 /S1 and grade 1 spondylolistheses (L4/L5) years ago. Try many exercise but not effective. This affects my walking recently, especially in the morning. Plan to do a spine fusion for L4/L5 soon, but still a bit confused. Can I do a discectomy first? If still have the pain problem, the do the fusion again? What will be the best consideration? (no cost issue as it is covered under issuance). Peter.

[@ShimSpineVideos]

If you have definite spinal instability associated with the spondylolithesis, you run the risk of having increasing leg pains with a discectomy alone. Please speak to your surgeon about the possibilities. By the way, cost is always an issue. While it may be covered by your insurance someone will pay. The laws of economics does not go alway because it is a healthcare issue.

[@hxgpeter2298]

@@ShimSpineVideos Hi Dr. Shim, Thanks for your advice. Need to seek your opinion again. My collage told me that he has L4/L5 herniated disc 20 years ago. He keep on doing massage without stop till today. He said he is seldom having pain issue now. For my L4/L5 grade 1 spondylolisthesis, will traditional massage improve or make spondylolisthesis worse? Best Regards, Peter

[@nosperle]

Simple . Only Legs pain -> discectomy , Only Back pain -> fusión ALiF 👏🏻

[@KBradAdams]

what if you have both leg and back pain?

[@KBradAdams]

Tiger Woods did... I did as well. After about 2 years of feeling like my back would go out if I did anything other than walk and sit. My surgeon said it would not go do something. I finally tried it and bam it went out and the disc ruptured again. I knew it was going to happen. I think for me anyway, I would probably have been fine if I was happy doing nothing but any golf or real physical activity I think its bound to happen. I guess all depends on the individual. Bottom Line I had no other choice but go get Discectomy. Now 4 months after fusion waiting for it to start feeling normal. Can't wait to see my neuro surgeon August 31st to see what he says.

[@masoodabdulmunamkhan2141]

Why don't you go for a second discectomy before going for fusion?

[@KBradAdams]

@@masoodabdulmunamkhan2141 Because my neurosurgeon recommended fusion because so much disc was taken out the first time and it re ruptured. I assumed 2nd discectomy would have done the same thing and ruptured again. I am probably going to end up with a fusion L5/S1 in another 6 months to a year as I am having issues but the sciatic pain is completely gone, just feel like I have no stability in my L5/S1 are now.... Surgeon said I have annular tears in L5/S1 disc but does not want to do surgery unless its a last resort. I trust him enough to listen and wait but my problem is if I do anything like wash my car or move light furniture in a room later that day I can barely move. Something is going on but they can't seem to put their fingers on it and the only thing they can recommend is wait until a year after L4/L5 fusion and then try something else. Said my CT scan at 7 months looks good, no halos but hard to tell if completely fused. So scheduling another CT at 1 year. Which will be April 2021. All I know is if I was a professional athlete I would be mad because I can not do anything I was doing pre surgery. This sux.

[@Seekingtruth-mx3ur]

@@KBradAdams good luck to you man.

[@KBradAdams]

@@Seekingtruth-mx3ur Thanks.. I go back to surgeon Jan 20 hoping he will say lets go ahead and do fusion or maybe some type of operation to take care of the annular tears, I have a feeling he will say lets do another MRI and go from there. I am starting to get pain in the back of my thigh and calf now at times. I guess that would point to L5-S1 but not 100%. I honestly feel like a fusion there might solve my problem. Always worry though that it wont. Good luck to you and anyone suffering from back pain.

[@ulynvanzyl8474]

@@KBradAdams did you get a fusion? How is it going?

[@eltaur7773]

For anyone thinking about surgery believe me DON'T.. Is not worth it.... I definitely regret it...

[@kcorbilicious]

Did you have discectomy?

[@joshuab6613]

It worked wonders on me, I literally could not walk anymore, I'm only 5 weeks out but I can walk again and feel amazing. I can not reccomend a microdisecotomy enough!

[@rogerhoward8606]

Yes it does they do it so you have to have fusion they get you twice don’t do it

[@denismccarthy2755]

All eventually lead to fusion. You will wish you died. I had a normal happy life with my family until I felt tingling in my left foot while urinating. Being a pro of surgery with 2 Microdiscetomies on same disc I now have a fusion. My career as a Firefighter is over and now I contemplate suicide every day . Married 13 yrs with 2 Beautiful children now I've been reduced to this. I wish I died on the table...

[@thomasghee3701]

How are you doing now mate I know your struggle I’m 27 been injured for 6 years with back pain got disectomy done 11 weeks ago and I can barely walk before I just had a bad back living life still surgeon said I got a slipped disk agian I’m very upset struggling to live life now and might need more operation I fi d out in 4 weeks I hope your doing ok mate hang in there

[@nivaneh1010]

@@thomasghee3701 stick to physiotherapy make urself strong

[@thepowerofsteeam3518]

I hope your doing ok.