Follow up on leg pain -- Spinal Surgery?

[rebtar]

Thanks to all who suggested I see an ortho to rule out spine issues. Turns out that at L4/L5 I have pretty severe spinal stenosis.

The ortho thinks surgery is my best option, as other options would give me short lived or incomplete relief.

I'm inclined to agree, since I'm still fairly young (64) and my PD is not that advanced...well controlled on a moderate dose of meds.

The surgery could be just opening the closed area of the spinal canal and cleaning out as much of the bone spur material as possible, or possibly fusing some discs for stability, which would mean a much longer recovery.

I'm hoping that I can do this without the fusing, if I commit to intensive PT afterwards to strengthen my muscles.

My mom had spinal stenosis and had this surgery, and didn't have recurrence of pain for 20 or 30 years.

I would be glad to hear opinions...anyone been through this?

[Larrydds]

Going through it now. Getting an epidural on Monday. Pain is terrible

[Shalomyy]

Look into a neurosurgeon to get different aspect of surgery of the spine. The way my friend put it, the neurosurgeon has more finesse. Praying for healing for you rebtar!

[rebtar in reply to Shalomyy]

Thanks. I will,