Seeing all of these people commenting on how fusions are no good, makes me shake my head. Mine SAVED MY LIFE, I decided and had it done only 1.5years ago by an elite level neurosurgeon specializing in robotics. Yes it is a major surgery but my feet now face forward, I can walk for miles and miles and I don't have pain all day, my discomfort is mostly from scar tissue still working its way out, and my nerves settling. I did not want to have anything artificial put in my body, or run the risk of a second surgery. The synthetic discs are not time proven for that section of the spine, too much pressure there. If you refuse to do physical therapy, stretch, and ice to make your body better, it won't be. The surgery is only part of the fix, if you're negative and lazy you're screwed regardless of the type of surgery. Also, the older you are the harder it is to come back from it. I'm 31 and athletic so I had a great chance. Just trying to help anyone in pain, good luck kids.
@Sir TroLLington Da 3rd Dr. Andrew Cannestra at Lyerly Neurosurgery - Baptist Medical center Jacksonville Florida. I didn't see your response until now - Mr. Shit Lord.
Jack, how's it going now mate? I'm 31. Had my fusion al l4/l5 and the nerve pain is gone instantly. Feeling positive but all I see are horror stories! Still all good?
@@cloudchaserXI Hey Bud, it's going pretty good actually thx.. Good to hear someone else has experienced success. I have to keep up on physical fitness very rigidly or I will get very stiff & sore. Shooting pain is gone but there is some light residual sciatic on my left side that comes and goes. Bought a $3500 mattress that was a game changer..Tried cortizone and it worked for a week and wore off, that's for the birds. Chiropractor helps and Acupuncture was a blessing. Didn't get much from massage therapy other than some irritation. You have to try to do some decompression therapy for the above/below discs as well. It's always a project but it beats the alternative. Ellipticals, Inversion Table and Workout bands help a lot.. I was drunk on my birthday last month and fell square on my ass right onto a rock, and I was good! Except for the bruised asshole and all(but that would happen to anyone, right?)...Cheers!
L5-S1 fusion surgery two years ago from accidents. Laproscopic through two small incisions in my back. Rods and screws. Was walking same day with walker. Next day no walker. Slept for five days with potty and pill times. Sixth day I asked my wife to take me to the mall to walk. The seventh day I slept again. Off perkeset the seventh day. Ouch. Bottom line is it's the worst pain I've ever had but the results are astounding so far.
My fiance just passed away 15 days ago during this surgery. He was the most beautiful person I've ever known. We were so in love. He just wanted to be out of pain. He suffered daily, it was awful. He tried everything known before resorting to this. We are all completely devastated. Life will never be the same without him. Please, be very careful. No family should have to go thru this. 💔💔💔💔
Sorry to hear that there is risk that person can get stroke and die during surgery its always good to do physical exam and tell ur surgeon everything about ur helth. Including if you have high blood pressure but not taking medication. Its important to tell surgen everything
I had a spinal fusion in the L5/S1 area along with a titanium cage. I had to use a bone stimulator for about 3 months to help the bone to grow over the cage. This was done in 2005. Had to have a brace on for about a year. Loved that because it gave me back my hourglass figure…. Silver lining thought…. I was never full the same afterwards and as the years went on my pain and difficulties increased. In Jan 2023, I had the Nervro spinal stimulator implanted. Talk about night and day. There is a lengthy process to getting one implanted. Psychiatry’s appointments are a must. I now understand why. Honestly when I talk about it to people who truly understand, I cry. It’s unbelievable. Perhaps it is an option for anyone suffering. I still have back pain but not like I did before. I have arthritis which the nerve stimulator does not help with. God bless.
I was part of the FDA trial for this surgery in 1997. Exact same thing, L5-S1 laparoscopic anterior interbody fusion with the BAK device. They used my own bone from the iliac crest. It was literally same-day surgery and was a complete success. I am now 57 and very fit and active, practicing yoga daily playing golf often and riding bike. So basically Tiger owes me, big time! Kidding aside, when I heard he got the surgery I knew he'd be back as good as ever.
@@isaacleedrums My surgeon warned me that the l4-l5 disk did not look great, so I needed to keep stretching. That became a yoga obsession, and of all my aches and pains as a 59 year old, back pain is not one of them.
@Vijay The best outcome is with anterior fusion rather than posterior. The latter introduces the possibility of scar tissue. Granted, I had mine in my late 30’s. My recovery was 100%. If you’re older, it may not be that easy. But by far, the outcome depends on the patient, not the surgery itself. I practice yoga an hour+ daily.
@Vijay I had a degenerated L5-S1 disk. I injured it once as a child, again in my late teens, several times in my 20’s and 30’s. I was lucky, as two other surgeons said they couldn’t help me, with the last one referring me to pain management. The a couple moved in next door, and the wife had just graduated medical school. She got matched with a local orthopedic office that was killing it in the multi-center FDA trial for anterior inter body fusion using the BAK device. She recommended that I make an appointment. The surgeon looked at the exact same imagery and made the diagnosis within 20 minutes. A month or so later I had surgery, which was technically same-day (I left before 24 hours). I knew it was fixed the moment I woke up. I now have a full range of motion, including placing my hands flat on the floor without bending my knees. It’s like I never had a back problem, and that was in 1997. I am blessed. Sorry, but I am unaware of a “grade” for my condition prior to surgery. The pain was severe, though. Crippling even.
I had T4-L1 fused 2 1/2 months ago (10 vertebrae) aged 19, and while the surgery reduced my lower back and neck pain incredibly, my shoulders are constantly sore, more so than they were before my surgery. Mostly between the shoulder blades though so hopefully the pain goes away when those muscles have settled down. Back surgery is no joke, no matter how many vertebrae are fused. I can't imagine going back to sports six months post op
I just had this fusion done in the exact same area 3 weeks ago. I couldn't walk on my own or do anything for myself for 5 days because I had no strength in my legs. I pushed myself through and now I'm walking 2 miles a day. I still have pain sitting up in bed and when I begin to walk. Im still on the road to recovery and hope everything goes well
So you had the alif procedure? I'm considering the same procedure that Woods had but I'm 67 and scared of it not fusing . Sounds like you are doing good so far with your walking routine and I wish you the best!
@@RG-gl6sm they did 2 incisions in my back. I also have screws and rods that were put in. I'm still sore almost 4 weeks afterwards but I was expecting that as part of the scar tissue and healing process. I was told it would take 1-2 years before the bone is fully healed
@Vijay I have no idea about that but mines progressed through the years. I had surgery on a herniated disc in 2017. I was fine for about 6 months and I started having issues again. I had the fusion done 4 years later and it's a journey 2 months post surgery
Hey Jwishbone. How are you holding up? I'm having this exact fusion on L5 S1 in 20 days and I'm terrified! How well did they manage your pain after you were home? How long did you stay in the hospital after surgery? And are you glad you got it done? Thank for the time
Before having the surgery I used to read only the success stories! Then I went under the knife(l4-5 fusion) and a year later I’m permanently disabled. Backpain Disability Index > 80%. Simply means I’m mostly(90%) bed bound. My life is over now at 27 only. Lost job. No social life. A friend of mine was recommended to have the same surgery. He denied. Look where he’s now! He’s going on with his life. Yes he has pain but not to level of mine. He’s not disabled. As a matter of fact he’s improving. I’ve been crying this whole morning contemplating about the wrong decision I made! Listen to me brother surgery maybe a quick fix but the risk associated with it just too much. Have you ever heard other surgeries having this much bad reputation? No. Because these back surgeries are way too unpredictable. And the Drs lie…
Are you doing better, since another year has already passed? Also, I understand your bitterness and anger, but please have in mind, that you can have the correct advice and make the reasonable decision, AND get the bad result :(
@HypotheticalZ what I am about to say may piss some people off. The only people I know that have had bad results from back surgery were smokers. I have never smoked. I had an L5-S1 fusion almost 5 and a half years ago and was going up and down stairs in two days with no pain. I still have not had any problems with the surgery. The VA will not do back surgery on someone that smokes because it will not heal right. I am insinuating that you smoke because I don't know you. I am just letting people know that back surgery is probably not a route you want to go if you are a smoker.
My L5/S1 Fusion held for 18 years. Had it at age 34. Very active, golf, hunting, gardening. Dr's were surprised. I can no longer work over head(electrician) and need to have L5 fused to L4. Developed Spondylitis from the first fusion. The 18 pain free years were great. Hope the next fusion is as successful.
@@blakef235 So far, so good. I'm a little over 3 months post surgery and I'm in physical therapy and working out again. Still a little sore in the morning's, but feel a lot better than before surgery.
The last and most recent operation tiger had was done by an australian professor, matthew scott-young who is one of the best in australia. He recently did an l5s1 adr on myself, he is brilliant.
I had this same surgery when I was 63. About two and a half hours later I was up and walking. And a day and a half later I was going up and down steps with absolutely no problem. That was almost four years ago. I have not taken any pain medication since before I left the hospital. My surgery worked. Before the surgery I was asked if I would be willing to quit smoking to have the surgery because it would never heal correctly and would be a waste of time. I told them I wouldn't be willing to start smoking so I could give it up. The VA will not do back surgeries if you smoke.
@clublulu399 it has now been 5 years and 5 months since the surgery. I am holding up real good. Still no back pain, maybe a few muscle pains here and there from lifting stuff that I probably shouldn't be lifting. But all in all, the back is in good shape.
We need to get to the point where we can synthesize a patient's annulus fibrosus in the lab using their own healthy tissue sample & eliminate fusions all together.
Afrocanuk, I just went over the 4 year mark since my surgery. It got rid of the pain and my range of motion is much better than it was in the previous twelve years. But I do agree with you about using your own tissue to solve the problem. Until the doctors perfect that idea this is a good way to go. I was going up and down the stairs at the VA in less than 48 hours after my operation, with no pain. (By that time I was on no pain medication). So after four years I think you could say my operation was 100% successful.
@@krisknowlton5935 I am 35 and looking at an L5 S1 Fusion. I'm in a lot of pain, horrible numbness and weakness. It's a week after my 4th steroid injection and I'm still in pain. I'm calling to start the process to schedule the appointment for the surgery and get all my pre-op checkups this week
@@krisknowlton5935 oh, moral of my story is that yourcomment was encouraging. Thank you. I am terrified to go through best. Everything in my life I am very active very Hands-On and I can't do anything so I have to get this done. How long untill you were up and feeling too normal? I'm healthy and I don't smoke. But my doctor is not making me feel very confident about the surgery. Telling me you'll feel 50% better maybe 80 but it's not guaranteed
@@sds11281 I had my surgery when I was 63 years old so I had that going against me. And yet here I am 67 and doing pretty good. I can't work a 12 hour day any more but I attribute that more to age than anything else. My surgery was anterior L5/S1 fusion with a plate on the front of my spine. Tiger woods had the same surgery 9 months to the day before me and he played in a tournament when I had my surgery. I pretty much was doing what I wanted to do 2 days after the surgery. I know that sounds hard to believe but it is true. The next weekend I was at a conference and was on my feet all day. Don't get me wrong, I was plenty worn out at the end of the day. Your body will tell you what you can or cannot do. The only real long lasting pain I had after I got out of the hospital was where they took bone tissue out of my hip. That pain lasts about 8 weeks but it is bearable. Now, having said all this, everyone's recovery is different. One thing I would mention to you (I can't for the life of me figure out why doctors don't tell their patients this) is this. Rest up for a full week before your surgery. You are going to have major trauma done to your body. You need all the strength you can muster to heal quickly. I have seen so many people try to get everything "done" before they have surgery. So now they are going into surgery all worn out. Maybe that is why I did so well. That and two Doctors that knew what they were doing. I know the pain you are going through and I truly feel for you. Ask your Doctor about the anterior surgery vs. the posterior surgery and see what he says. Please let me know how it goes for you.
@@sds11281 I had a two level fusion plus a single total disc replacement at 59 years. So three of the five lumbar discs are gone from my spine. Thats four years ago. I still work. I have had a few flare ups but mostly its because I drive trucks. ALIF has a pretty good success rate I believe. Surgeon selection is the key. See if you can get patient reported outcomes ? Where the patient says whether the surgery was a success...........not the surgeon ! Some surgeons will use bone morphogenetic protein in the cage with bone graft material and has a fusion rate of around 98 percent. Single level surgery you should be up and running pretty quick . Good luck with it !
Hi, how's life after fusion? i'm on the same path and am finding myself seesawing between fusion or just slowly and painfully finding a new way to live. I hope you're well. All the best ~M.
kelly shea Kelly How are you doing after your surgery. I had mine in 1996. I was fine till 2012 . Try not to lift anything heavy. Puts a lot of pressure on the disk above your fusion.
Marius Constantin I had a fusion in 1996 . Try to avoid spinal fusion at all cost . Take it from me I did well up too 2012 . I have four bad disk above my fusion and a lot of other issues. If you need someone to talk to you can call me .
Incredibly well done description of the problem and the surgery. I'm currently going through the same problems as Tiger has been experiencing, and the my only known surgical option is the same fusion surgery. (which scares me horribly) The disk replacement was probably not an option due to other fractures in his back, most notably facet joint fractures causing him to have Spondylolisthesis in addition to the spinal stenosis. What makes me believe that he had those issues is the ineffectiveness of the microdiscectomy. The vertebrae themselves are not stable enough to maintain the proper distance to keep it off of the nerve, so all he was doing was prolonging the inevitable.
Joe Formanek From everything I can tell, this particular surgery is incredibly successful at a high rate. But I completely understand your anxiety. I'd be right there with you.
Joe Formanek - Hi, I had an L4/L5 fusion (PLIF) last September and I was playing golf again by March. Not just playing, but I've also improved! You can read a lot of scary stuff online about spine surgery, I did, but there are success stories too. I'm so pleased I've had mine done, I'm only 45 now, and I couldn't face the pain and limitation I had before, for the rest of my life. Just wanted you to know, there is hope mate 👍🏻
Joe Formanek It seems like microdiscectomy never works. Tiger, of all people, should have had the best of the best surgeons. It's a shame he had failed surgeries. I hope his latest surgery is his last.
Simon Lowe Hi, I had the microdiscectomy 3 months ago and was told that my facet joint is breaking down now causing more nerve and leg pain. Epidurals have helped but wears of after a month or so. They suggest a fusion and I’m terrified. I’m 42 years old. Any advice?
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. 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 😊🙃 also my back used to get tight when I lay down for bed but since I started back exercises 4 weeks ago. It doesn't get tight when I lay down only when I drive or sit. Are u 100% healed or do u still have back pain? Did u get surgery? Are you having any complications after surgery?
@@freestylebully4849 I had surgery. L-5s-1 fusion. I will be 6 months out from surgery on the 23rd of this month. Definitely takes time for bone growth and healing. I am just now getting ready to go back to work. My job is physical and on my feet all day, so I have had to heal b4 able to go back. Definitely go to doctor, get mri. Back pain is nothing to mess around with. I waited and ended up almost unable to walk.
@@freestylebully4849 it started as low back pain. Eventually it went all the way down my right leg. Had numbness and sharp sciatic pain. It got really bad to where no matter what position I was in, it hurt. Mine was 4 bulging/ hurniated disc's and l-5 and s-1 were fractured. My l-5 was very fractured. As time went on, the pressure and swelling pinched the nerves. If it had not been fractured, I probably would not have needed surgery. Years b4, spinal injections worked for the bulging hurniations. I've struggled off and on with those for years. Eventually the fractures happened. Had I not had the surgery, I'd Eventually have had stenosis. Use ice packs, helps with pain and definitely follow doctors orders.
Bro you totally missed the part about the pedical screws and the titanium rods that are used to hold everything together to allow it to heal properly. You mentioned “screws” once, but for this surgery, the use of screws and rods - that may, and likely will, stay in his body forever, well this shouldn’t just have been mentioned, it should have been a major part of your “describing the surgery” which they don’t use “rubbery material” to fuse with. You were correct in that they may use bone from another part of the body - likely taken from a spot nearby like the pelvis, they can also use cadaver tissue (this has to be what you meant by “rubbery material” eg?), but I have never heard of them placing metal in between the bones, that just logically sounds like all it will do is cause further issues. Obviously with all of this detail, I have been through this exact surgery twice - the first one “did not take” as they refer to it in the medical world. I rebroke my new L5/S1 fused vertebrae, and had to have the second one done. So they used donor tissue, which is sorta similar to something like a kidney transplant and the body “rejecting it” ...that is sorta what happened in my first surgery. The second one they took bone from my pelvis with the very logical thinking that hey, this is from your own body, it shouldn’t be rejected at all. And it was not. The surgery took away about 75% of the pain that I was in, but now about oh 7-8 years post-op, that same back pain has returned basically entirely...
Ryan Lamb - Chronic Pain Support Guru I had the same spinal fusion with hardware 1 year and 6 months ago. My surgeon has now found I have a screw loose. Do they just take it out or get the screw back in and leave it alone. How many of these screws can just become loose
2015 I had surgery and now i am feeling pain same place. The ?. Surgery is just temporary. I am doing physical therapy , i am still on pain but not as bad, I am muscle relaxant. I am scare not truly know what to do.
@@johnnyrodriguez276 Same here... I basically refuse to do surgery and instead do PT and spinal decompression using the 'Sit and Decompress' thingy I bought on Amazon. I think spine surgeons know you will become a repeat customer so they always push fusion. Ever watch the Bob & Brad channel, they have a lot of helpful videos and indicate they have heard spine surgeons even say "they would avoid fusion surgery at all costs" when it comes to themselves.
The pain got to the point that I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my lower left back. They just kinda tuck it under the skin, it’s very weird. That worked for about oh a year and a half then my body understood what these electrical signals were doing and basically overwrote them and so the pain returned entirely. At this point, since our nation was under a narcotic medication “crises” as referred to by our govt, I detoxed from any narcotic med that I was on and only took Lyrica at this point. It was then suggested to me by a pretty prominent pain doctor in the Midwest that I have a pain drug pump implanted. So I got the procedure done and the pump is huge. It is in my lower front abdomen and sticks out about 2” or so and it is easily 2-3”x2-3” in size itself. Crazy stuff I know. So the pump helped regulate my pain is how I refer to it. It helped me manage pain when I was in scenarios that would have generally caused me intense pain, I am able to use this little remote that has an antenna attached to it and it communicates with my pump. So when the pain increases I can press a button for a bolus to be released, which is essentially the exact amount of pain meds that are pumped through in a 24 hour day, but pumped in all st once. I am allowed 5 of those a day. Oh and the medication that is being pumped is a mix between bupivacane and hydromorphone. Feel fee to send me a message if anyone has questions about this...
I've had an 11 level spinal fusion on the 19th of January, 2018... T8 down to S1... my neurosurgeon says he'd rather see me eventually getting back to golf rather than riding a Can-Am Spyder or similar... These videos are a bit encouraging to say the least, although, there aren't that many ppl walking around with an 11 level fusion...
I had a TLIF T10 to pelvis in December 2018. I'm 83 and doing great. Before surgery I couldn't stand for more than an hour. Washing 3 dishes in the sink was agony. Total healing takes a year. Best thing I've ever done for myself.
I had 2 back surgerys, one in 2014 and one in 2015, all 5 lumbar disc's are gone, being fused with Cadaver Bone graft's. Some pain still but it got rid of the numb feet and numb legs, and the Siactica is gone.
Aardvark I had my L4, L5 S1 and it has affected my S1 and my hips, I have sciatic, and muscle spasm in upper buttocks and whole back spasms up to lower base of skull, which is fabulous since I have TMJ as well. I now have shooting nerve pain at L3 and nerve pain from lower lumbar that shoots to groin and up into the left thigh. My spasms most often start after walking away from bed. My back has been too exhausted to where it couldnt hold me up while standing. Ive had to crawl to my house and Ive collapsed at the stove while cooking.
@B K very true. From being active and working hard, to lucky to get 4 hr shifts in every other day. I found info online, that if fused at a wrong angle is what causes disability and other complications. Im just waiting for the "spine transplant" to become an option. Id risk it just to work again, to live, and have a life again. It isnt fun being left out of everyone's life because youre now a burden or inconvenience. When youre used to that grand firm handshake of approval and great appreciation and respect everyday...The enjoyment of a hard days work. That even if youre cussing throughout the tough moments, that after the day you just shine within, and are even proud of yourself... But now, no one needs you, or appreciates that youre here. That there isnt a place in life where youre needed or expected. There is no grand handshake with a smile of appreciation. There is no day of hard work getting done. Its now just hard to get anything completed, as Im always chasing chores between day(s) off before I can move about again. And it just ticks me off to hear people think how grand it is that I dont have to work. Like you said, they dont understand.
S. Garr. You just told my life story it is a nightmare to go through I’ve been a hard worker my whole life I was a carpenter in the union making great money I was raised too work hard with this back issue It’s very hard I’m on ssi I struggle just too keep up doing things at the house i had one surgery without a fusion I’m having so much nerve pain and muscle spasms I don’t know if I should try fusion I hear some people do better then I hear they are worse it’s frustrating 2003 was my last surgery I was still in pain but could cope with pain meds stay strong i pray something gives in your life to get some kind of normalcy
Very good explanation. The problem with the fusion is that he's really going to have to take care of his L4-L5 now as that vertebrae & disc is taking all the load from here on out. Maybe It's time for him to retire.
Sandra Bentley easy for him to retire as he has money to do so i believe. But if he was a regular 2nd class citizen, we all still have chores to do and cant afford to hire someone to do the hefty stuff.
I had this surgery two years today and a 6 month recovery is very optimistic. I'm a lot better but not pain free. Also they went in through the front replaced my discs then went through the back put in titanium cage etc
I am getting ready to go through the same thing. On a Monday, ALIF of L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 using titanium cages. On the following Wednesday, I will have PLIF with pins and rods to secure the ALIF. Body brace for 8 weeks. No golf for 6 months.
Ive had four back surgeries which ended with L4 L5 S1 fusion and I fall under the "failed" category and placed at 81% disabled. What does 81% look like; mow 1/4 acre and needing to take two days off for recovery afterwards. Sometimes needing to wait the next day before able to take a shower. DO NOT get a fusion if you dont have to!! Get more than one opinion AND get an MRI and the findings, then take MRI to other doctors to see if you get the same reading. My surgeon lied to me of the findings of my MRI. He said nothing was found of a blown disc or pinched nerves. His reason "I didnt feel that it was the cause for your pain and nerve pain down your leg" but gave surgery of artificial disc implant in L5-S1 because of a extremely small tear vs. mass destruction (that doesnt exists) above.
I share your pain and you are right. Back in the 90s two of my lumber discs finally collapsed I had a double inter body spinal fusion to L4 L5 and S1 and I have to take strong Opioids for pain and nerve meds to give me enough relief to move around but even then my career was cut short and I retired early.
Wait bro let me get this straight. So your doc placed an ADR in l5s1 because of a tear he saw around that segment and when that didn’t help they had to go back, remove the ADR and fuse the l4-l5-s1 segments ??
I need exactly this surgery very badly as I have 4 herniated lumbar discs (in addition to the previous lumbar discectomy/laminectomy I had 20 yrs ago) but insurance would only cover a 2 level fusion, so I'm pretty much fucked. Why that is I do not know. I've also had 3 levels in my neck fused over 2 surgeries. Back problems really can wreck your life.
I had 2 L5 S1 microdisectomies that didnt do shit. I still had numbness down my left leg. I just had a laminotomy 2 weeks ago and the left leg numbness is markedly better, I would say about 85%, but now I have numbness just as bad down my right leg which I never had before. I fear I may well end up having to have L5 S1 spinal fusion. I feel like I wasted 3 surgeries and long recoveries when I could have just gone right to fusion and saved the hastle.
Why Tiger did not fly to Europe for an artificial disc instead of a fusion is a staggering question. Some orthopedic surgeon in the US talked into this fusion. Each disc level is about 6 degrees of movement. Think Tiger would want that back, as his game is still not the same now in 2019. I went to Barcelona Spine Center for an artificial disc. I am VERY happy I did so. Europe is ten years ahead of the US in part because the artificial disc implant was invented by a surgeon in Germany in the mid 70’s and is the epicenter of excellence in training. The problem with fusion is many cause ASD Adjacent Segment Degeneration wearing out the next disc level some 6 to 12 years later. Then it’s another fusion or whatever. What BS. The FDA is very slow. In part, fusion is the way US surgeons are trained. There are exceptions with specialist like Dr Michael Janneson in Denver, however he does not have access to the European discs. There is also Dr Harel Duetsch at Rush Chicago and Dr. John Hsiang at Swedish Spine in the Seattle area. These surgeons have performed thousands. The problem at L5-S1 it it’s not FDA approved yet in the US. My Spinal Kinetics M6 L at L3/4 has a nucleus that has a cushion effect so energy is mitigated and not transferred as much to the adjacent level disc. I know someone who just had the ESP is a French Disc at L5/S1. In my experience, I had a double level lumbar fusion and 10 years later in MF pain again. Dr Clavel in Barcelona implanted the artificial disc on top of the old fusion and I was out of all nasty pain virtually immediately. Stayed in hospital 3 days. Walked freely 15 miles over 10 days after literally as a tourist - what an outstanding walking City Barcelona is, we had a blast. Paid $26k for lumbar in 2016 and had a double level cervical done in 2018 and paid $35k. The only extra costs are travel and hotel after. Flat fee included physical therapist after as well. Nice people and they speak English for the most part. He has a translator there overnight (college student) just in case anything comes up. The hospital room has a lounge as well, so she stays out there. My only suggestion is to discuss the golfing aspects of your life. Dr Clavel does a 30 minute Skype call to answer all the questions. That costs something like $300 US but that’s credited to the surgery if you so elect to proceed. Ya, I will work a couple xtra years before retiring to pay for it. Take the tax break, talk to CPA as well.
JR Chicago Wow I pray, many can get the true help. FDA needs a attitude adjustment. There for the money. The US needs a true cleaning. Getting rid of the greedy. And allow the true cures in.
He might not have been eligible due to poor bone density . They usually won't do disc replacement if you have weak T scores and will only do fusion. Just my guess
I’m about to have an L4 L5 fusion done in two weeks. I am not sure if a disc replacement can be done on this level in the back? I would consider going out of the states or to a different state to have it done if it seems to be a better treatment. Would love to hear how your recovery is going and more about your experience. I’m pretty scared but just want to do whatever is best. thank you for your comment and details. Much appreciated👍 by the way I am a 56-year-old female in good shape.
So I really want to know, what is better and will keep me moving forward. Is spinal decompression therapy better than spinal surgery? I need to know because it's driving me nuts and I want to go back feeling a 💯...😕😢
I've had two back surgeries....multi-level fusion with a cage, rods, and screws - My spine is full of titanium. In my personal (and sometimes quite painful) opinion, try the therapy first, and then if it doesn't give you enough relief, seek the help of a neurosurgeon who is willing to do the necessary diagnostic imaging, to include a CT Myleogram. The imaging will show the neurosurgeon the exact source of your pain. They seem to know exactly how to pinpoint and operate in such a way of giving all the nerves a greater chance of recovery. At the end of the day, remember this: ONCE CUT, ALWAYS CUT. Don't rush into surgery, although I totally understand you're in severe pain, try everything else first....surgery is not a guarantee of relief and the surgical recovery is no picnic!
Donna Spurlock definitely go with the most less invasive things some people get impatient and jump into a surgery that can cause more problems there just is no quick fix when it comes to back injury’s be positive and do all you can do to not have surgery
I had the same surgery and my doctor told me there is nothing else he could do I wish I was tiger to get another surgery with no insurance I will be living with Pain all my life
im 30 and i just had the same exact surgery.. its been 3 weeks now and im just taking it easy right now.. i can say that my back feels a bit better but the pain is now in my left cheek.. i also experienced "shooting blanks".. The doc told me that its a chance that i may not be able to have kids because of it..
kickdog 69 I had my anterior laminectomy fusion in 2001 right from the get go my left leg bothered me. My Doctor did not explain to me he just did a failed back surgery. Arthritis has surrounded the area. And 2017 MRI shows bone spur and L-5 bulging my pain is out of this world with pain meds. At the start my Doctor said pain medication or surgery. Of course hid sight I would not get it done again. Injections they don't explain if they hit a nerve your done for. They are temporary so why take a chance! I did go for 2 different kind of injections and my back was actually stinging. It seemed every procedure I was the 1 in 500 that they screwed up on. They punctured my sac the one that goes around spin and brain. They patched it by taken blood from me and sticking it in my back putting another hole in my sac to clot the holes. Hope this answered your questions there so much more.
I had a microdiscectomy Didn’t work. My back is way worse than tigers Btw an anterior way to do lumbar spinal is very risky because you are pushing the descending aorta to the side.
Hi, what’s the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and Neurologist surgeon for this type of surgery? I need to do one and I talked to a neurologist friend and he recommended it was better to do it with a neurosurgeon
I think it depends more on the skill of the individual surgeon than neurosurgeon vs ortho spine. There are good surgeons and bad surgeons in all specialties. Where I work, if a doctor, nurse, or family member needs spine surgery, they tend to get the ortho spine surgeon. That’s not to say you should get an ortho spine surgeon. You just need a good surgeon.
I can't cope anymore I've constant spasms on the right side forcing my spine leaning to the left...The pain is horrific and on morphine daily...Ive no option now but having this surgery I'm scared...Really really scared my dad had this operation but it failed...I physically can't cope I've children and worried...
You can get an artificial disc procedure done in Germany for 15k euros for one level. Borrow money and get it done. You will be 100% satisfied. Do not get fused.
How horrible. I have had both fusion and microdiscectomy. Once you have the micro you are not ever supposed to twist hard again. There goes golfing. Fusion is even worse as you become inflexible and a high percentage of victims become chronic pain patients for life. How horrible.
So... No One have a good experience with this procedure? I did almost two years ago and Im great. I do bodybuilding, and i do a normal life.. AM i an alien?
Had the same surgery 6years back. Now again so! Ething has had happened which let's me in the same position where I was before. Got my scan done n l5s1 fails after 6yrs, now doctors have qued me for another revision surgery.
for a fusion, the disk is taken out and a bone graft is put in it’s place. The rods and screws are to hold the spine in place until the bone graft grows and fuses with the backbone above and below. A lot of times, the disc is the problem so it has to come out anyway.
Suffered chronic back pain for almost 30 years now. In 1993 I had a two level L4 L5 and S1 double lumber spinal fusion and despite getting me up moving again it’s left me in constant pain to such a degree I had to retire early and to this day take strong opioid pain medication.
@@ferark Been 10 for me but the sciatic pain has been far worse than the lower back pain. I'm 54 and may not be able to work but don't have an option to retire early.
@@trpayne617 You're only a week out. If they went thru your stomach it will be much better after you can "relieve" some internal pressure (I always pray for God to take me at that moment) and your organs resettle. But they do say this pain is the 2nd worst you can have from surgeries. Update us in a week or two on how you are feeling.
Ordinary Sneaker Guy.... He only had 1 level done. I had 3 levels done a month ago L2-5, I'm getting better every day. Not only did I have a spinal fusion but 2 days later I had another major back surgery to straighten my lower spine because of degenerative sciliosis and Spondylolithesis and then they put rods and screws in to hold it all together. That's HARD CORE. 😊
Jay G. I'm having surgery done by him in August! Had no idea he had worked on Tiger. I can tell you right now that I am by no means rich, but bcbs is covering more than I had anticipated.
Taylor Browning I used a doctor in Arkansas and hat was from the TSI. I had L4-L5-S1 fusion and bcbs covered all the expenses except my 5k out of pocket $. I had it done March 6,2017 and it stabilized my broken L5 but I’m still in quite a bite of pain but nothing like I was before the surgery.
@Sir TroLLington Da 3rd Above and beyond my hopes. I had L3/L4 and L4/L5 artificial disc replacements and L5/S1 fused. Before, I had days where I couldn’t get out of bed due to pain and the sciatica was brutal as well. I had to buy a cane to help when I walked. Now it’s been 1 year and 3 months since my surgery. I can actually work now and have a life! I can sit/stand for more than 15 minutes without being in so much pain. Now, with what I had , there isn’t a cure. He warned me it wouldn’t take away my pain 100%, but I can say that surgery was definitely the best and only option for me. I have a life that doesn’t revolve around my pain. I still have pain, and sitting/standing for about 2 hours will need some Advil. I have bad days only once in a blue moon now instead of a weekly occurrence.
He won the Masters again after that. I have L4/L5/S1 fused now but am looking at more surgery now due to my job environment. Tiger can have daily therapy, core training, massages unlike most of us. But he still has to skip playing tournaments.
GimmieEmCheeks I was 22 when I had two artificial disc replacements at L3/L4, L4/L5 and a fusion at L5/S1. Doctors didn’t want to even discuss surgery with me because they said I was too young. When I started seeing Dr. Guyer, he made sure I tried everything conservative and ran a test called a discogram. That’s what showed the extent of my problems that an mri couldn’t show. When he read the results of the test, was the day he told me I needed surgery.
Just 6 weeks out from spinal fusion L5-S1. I am still hopeful but find it curious that my artificial knee, hurts now. Really my whole body hurts. Neck pain, back feels very weak and I can barely lift either leg to get into the car. Anyone?
If they did this type of procedure from the from his best option should have been a artificial disc replacement. He would have had a faster recovery and kept his mobility. Why they had him fuse it makes absolutely No Sense at all. This is the only choice I would make if I could go back and change my options before I had S1 to L5 spinal fusion. After 5 years I'm starting to have the same pain happen again. Come to find out this is very typical of a S1 to L5 fusion.
If you watched the recent masters he had problems making it through the tournament. And I understand why. Not only does the surgery take away most of your mobility but I can only do so much physical activity before I have to sit and rest. I don't see how he does it.
In some cases, it's just plain-old worn out! Hardly any disc space left and, hence, unstable. Herniation is definitely a part of it, but sometimes we just wear out our connective tissue altogether.
Do not do the fusion, you are going to compromise the other discs. You need another disc, not a fusion, that is ultimately an unnatural operation. Go to Germany and get an LP-ESP disc!
I do not understand how can this surgery be still used. If a person is thinking about having fusion they should see at least three different surgeons and ask them if an artificial disk replacement is an option. Fusion is obsolete and useless in 70% of the cases. To this day and age such surgery should almost be eradicate in pts who are candidates for an artificial disc replacement.
I had to though, I had a bad case of Spondylolisthesis. Basically my back broke, became unanchored and slipped into my spinal canal crushing it. I had it done to prevent potential paralysis.
I am so sorry to heard that. Unfortunately in your situation, a proper stabilization had to be made to prevent any further slippage. I am talking for the people who have degenerative discs.
I understand, and agree actually, Spinal Fusion should only be used very extreme problems of the Spine. It's used for things it shouldn't be far too often.
IMO, 'murica has the worst spine-care in the civilized world. ADR is not often practiced here because US medicine is ruled by insurance companies. They won't pay for "new" technologies. Mind you, the "gold standard" in US medicine is something that has proven results for 50 years or more.
OMG! What is the diagnosis and your symptoms? Degenerative disc disease? Any previous spinal surgeries? I currently have L3-4-5-S1 fused. Three surgeries over about five years. Back hurts bad, my doc says need L2 fused! I don't want to do it.
This stuff is barbaric. The spine is nothing more than a series of JOINTS. You wouldnt fuse a knee or hip. Why would you fuse your back? It may alleviate the pain but it tears down the adjacent discs at an accelerated rate. That just means more surgery and less mobility. I dont blame the patient, i blame the medical industry and the insurance companies. Artificial disc replacement is the future. I had one done at c5c6 years ago despite having to fight with my insurance for 2 months. In and out of the clinic. No pain. Back at work in 4 days. Off pain meds in 10 days. No more surgeries. Now im doing it all over again with my back. Ugh. Look at what Germany has been doing. They've been doing lumbar disc replacements for decades. Unbelievable results. Why TF are we still so far behind? Oh yeah, a cured patient doesnt keep paying money.
the results with ADR aren't as good as they seem. start researching and talking to people who have had it, it causes facet degeneration. the ball and socket designs don't really mimic the disc, and the elastic discs aren't time proven.
Hi there i have problem l4/l5 andl5/s1 i have horrific pain that even makes me sleep all the time plz Guid mr guys what should i do docter tells me that it need operation now i don't know what should i do ..those who have experience plz guid me plz..than ku so much
Ali rostami do your own research. Search for ADR LP-ESP. I went to Germany to get two artificial discs. It cost me $30k. If you have health insurance you might be reimbursed. If you don’t have money, borrow it. Do not get fused.
Had a l4 l5 fusion worst decision I’ve ever made. Not only am I in worse pain and I can barley move? Hardware broke need a second surgery? Your not tiger woods think before having this type of surgery.
Ismal Lopez I get it he loves golf! Most of us love sports too! But if anyone thinks hes w/o pain, there wrong, I truly hope he enjoys playing. As long as he can.
A chiropractor won’t be able to fix your disc issues and half the time they don’t know what they are treating. They do the same routine to pretty much everybody. I’ve seen three different chiropractors over the years and none of them picked up on my problem. Nobody told me to get an mri. I decided myself to get one and pay out of pocket after multiple chiropractors and urgent care visits for the past ten years or so being treated for “muscle spasm”. Now my L5S1 disc is pretty much trash and have been in chronic pain. A good spine surgeon will be very conservative. There are scammy ones out there that advertise heavily and will be glad to take your money though. Stay away from those guys. From what I’ve seen, they sugar coat everything. They have bad reviews if you dig deep enough and some have been sued.
Seeing all of these people commenting on how fusions are no good, makes me shake my head. Mine SAVED MY LIFE, I decided and had it done only 1.5years ago by an elite level neurosurgeon specializing in robotics. Yes it is a major surgery but my feet now face forward, I can walk for miles and miles and I don't have pain all day, my discomfort is mostly from scar tissue still working its way out, and my nerves settling. I did not want to have anything artificial put in my body, or run the risk of a second surgery. The synthetic discs are not time proven for that section of the spine, too much pressure there. If you refuse to do physical therapy, stretch, and ice to make your body better, it won't be. The surgery is only part of the fix, if you're negative and lazy you're screwed regardless of the type of surgery. Also, the older you are the harder it is to come back from it. I'm 31 and athletic so I had a great chance. Just trying to help anyone in pain, good luck kids.
I was good at 1.5 years later... and then year 2 hit. 👎
@@jumanjiwarlord Speaking for yourself, or me?
@Sir TroLLington Da 3rd Dr. Andrew Cannestra at Lyerly Neurosurgery - Baptist Medical center Jacksonville Florida. I didn't see your response until now - Mr. Shit Lord.
Jack, how's it going now mate? I'm 31. Had my fusion al l4/l5 and the nerve pain is gone instantly. Feeling positive but all I see are horror stories! Still all good?
@@cloudchaserXI Hey Bud, it's going pretty good actually thx.. Good to hear someone else has experienced success. I have to keep up on physical fitness very rigidly or I will get very stiff & sore. Shooting pain is gone but there is some light residual sciatic on my left side that comes and goes. Bought a $3500 mattress that was a game changer..Tried cortizone and it worked for a week and wore off, that's for the birds. Chiropractor helps and Acupuncture was a blessing. Didn't get much from massage therapy other than some irritation. You have to try to do some decompression therapy for the above/below discs as well. It's always a project but it beats the alternative. Ellipticals, Inversion Table and Workout bands help a lot.. I was drunk on my birthday last month and fell square on my ass right onto a rock, and I was good! Except for the bruised asshole and all(but that would happen to anyone, right?)...Cheers!
L5-S1 fusion surgery two years ago from accidents. Laproscopic through two small incisions in my back. Rods and screws. Was walking same day with walker. Next day no walker. Slept for five days with potty and pill times. Sixth day I asked my wife to take me to the mall to walk. The seventh day I slept again. Off perkeset the seventh day. Ouch. Bottom line is it's the worst pain I've ever had but the results are astounding so far.
My fiance just passed away 15 days ago during this surgery. He was the most beautiful person I've ever known. We were so in love. He just wanted to be out of pain. He suffered daily, it was awful. He tried everything known before resorting to this. We are all completely devastated. Life will never be the same without him. Please, be very careful. No family should have to go thru this. 💔💔💔💔
I am so sorry for your loss may god continue too blessed you and you’re?🙏🙏🙏from Macon Georgia
My prayers are with you. I hope you have peace.
Sorry to hear that there is risk that person can get stroke and die during surgery its always good to do physical exam and tell ur surgeon everything about ur helth. Including if you have high blood pressure but not taking medication. Its important to tell surgen everything
Poor man rest in peace from Galway ireland
How did he pass? What happened during surgery?
I had a spinal fusion in the L5/S1 area along with a titanium cage. I had to use a bone stimulator for about 3 months to help the bone to grow over the cage. This was done in 2005. Had to have a brace on for about a year. Loved that because it gave me back my hourglass figure…. Silver lining thought…. I was never full the same afterwards and as the years went on my pain and difficulties increased. In Jan 2023, I had the Nervro spinal stimulator implanted. Talk about night and day. There is a lengthy process to getting one implanted. Psychiatry’s appointments are a must. I now understand why. Honestly when I talk about it to people who truly understand, I cry. It’s unbelievable. Perhaps it is an option for anyone suffering. I still have back pain but not like I did before. I have arthritis which the nerve stimulator does not help with. God bless.
I was part of the FDA trial for this surgery in 1997. Exact same thing, L5-S1 laparoscopic anterior interbody fusion with the BAK device. They used my own bone from the iliac crest. It was literally same-day surgery and was a complete success. I am now 57 and very fit and active, practicing yoga daily playing golf often and riding bike.
So basically Tiger owes me, big time! Kidding aside, when I heard he got the surgery I knew he'd be back as good as ever.
Steve Thom that is fabulous for you. Do you have concerns about adjacent segment disorder?
@@isaacleedrums My surgeon warned me that the l4-l5 disk did not look great, so I needed to keep stretching. That became a yoga obsession, and of all my aches and pains as a 59 year old, back pain is not one of them.
@Vijay The best outcome is with anterior fusion rather than posterior. The latter introduces the possibility of scar tissue. Granted, I had mine in my late 30’s. My recovery was 100%. If you’re older, it may not be that easy. But by far, the outcome depends on the patient, not the surgery itself. I practice yoga an hour+ daily.
@Vijay I had a degenerated L5-S1 disk. I injured it once as a child, again in my late teens, several times in my 20’s and 30’s. I was lucky, as two other surgeons said they couldn’t help me, with the last one referring me to pain management. The a couple moved in next door, and the wife had just graduated medical school. She got matched with a local orthopedic office that was killing it in the multi-center FDA trial for anterior inter body fusion using the BAK device. She recommended that I make an appointment. The surgeon looked at the exact same imagery and made the diagnosis within 20 minutes. A month or so later I had surgery, which was technically same-day (I left before 24 hours). I knew it was fixed the moment I woke up. I now have a full range of motion, including placing my hands flat on the floor without bending my knees. It’s like I never had a back problem, and that was in 1997. I am blessed. Sorry, but I am unaware of a “grade” for my condition prior to surgery. The pain was severe, though. Crippling even.
@Vijay Consider starting yoga with a good teacher, if you’re not already doing it. Motion is lotion, as they say.
i had a T3-L4 fusion for scoliosis and its so drastic compared to this but i'm 6 months post op and doing well!!
ieroists i
Hey how are you now?
I had T4-L1 fused 2 1/2 months ago (10 vertebrae) aged 19, and while the surgery reduced my lower back and neck pain incredibly, my shoulders are constantly sore, more so than they were before my surgery. Mostly between the shoulder blades though so hopefully the pain goes away when those muscles have settled down. Back surgery is no joke, no matter how many vertebrae are fused. I can't imagine going back to sports six months post op
I just had this fusion done in the exact same area 3 weeks ago. I couldn't walk on my own or do anything for myself for 5 days because I had no strength in my legs. I pushed myself through and now I'm walking 2 miles a day. I still have pain sitting up in bed and when I begin to walk. Im still on the road to recovery and hope everything goes well
So you had the alif procedure? I'm considering the same procedure that Woods had but I'm 67 and scared of it not fusing .
Sounds like you are doing good so far with your walking routine and I wish you the best!
@@RG-gl6sm they did 2 incisions in my back. I also have screws and rods that were put in. I'm still sore almost 4 weeks afterwards but I was expecting that as part of the scar tissue and healing process. I was told it would take 1-2 years before the bone is fully healed
@Vijay I have no idea about that but mines progressed through the years. I had surgery on a herniated disc in 2017. I was fine for about 6 months and I started having issues again. I had the fusion done 4 years later and it's a journey 2 months post surgery
@Vijay no problem
Hey Jwishbone. How are you holding up? I'm having this exact fusion on L5 S1 in 20 days and I'm terrified! How well did they manage your pain after you were home? How long did you stay in the hospital after surgery? And are you glad you got it done? Thank for the time
Before having the surgery I used to read only the success stories! Then I went under the knife(l4-5 fusion) and a year later I’m permanently disabled. Backpain Disability Index > 80%. Simply means I’m mostly(90%) bed bound. My life is over now at 27 only. Lost job. No social life.
A friend of mine was recommended to have the same surgery. He denied. Look where he’s now! He’s going on with his life. Yes he has pain but not to level of mine. He’s not disabled. As a matter of fact he’s improving.
I’ve been crying this whole morning contemplating about the wrong decision I made!
Listen to me brother surgery maybe a quick fix but the risk associated with it just too much. Have you ever heard other surgeries having this much bad reputation? No. Because these back surgeries are way too unpredictable. And the Drs lie…
Are you doing better, since another year has already passed?
Also, I understand your bitterness and anger, but please have in mind, that you can have the correct advice and make the reasonable decision, AND get the bad result :(
But remember, if you hadnt gotten the fusion youd STILL be disabled!
This scares the shit out of me. Hope you’re making the best of it bro. Stay strong.
@HypotheticalZ what I am about to say may piss some people off. The only people I know that have had bad results from back surgery were smokers. I have never smoked. I had an L5-S1 fusion almost 5 and a half years ago and was going up and down stairs in two days with no pain. I still have not had any problems with the surgery. The VA will not do back surgery on someone that smokes because it will not heal right. I am insinuating that you smoke because I don't know you. I am just letting people know that back surgery is probably not a route you want to go if you are a smoker.
My L5/S1 Fusion held for 18 years. Had it at age 34. Very active, golf, hunting, gardening. Dr's were surprised. I can no longer work over head(electrician) and need to have L5 fused to L4. Developed Spondylitis from the first fusion. The 18 pain free years were great. Hope the next fusion is as successful.
Jypsy Dog... Good luck to you. You'll do great.
I'm about to have my L5/S1 fused on February 4th. I'm 30 and been dealing with this pain since I was 28. Hopefully, I can get 18 years of pain free.
@@brandonderks6466 how did it go?
@@blakef235 So far, so good. I'm a little over 3 months post surgery and I'm in physical therapy and working out again. Still a little sore in the morning's, but feel a lot better than before surgery.
@@brandonderks6466jst 10days ago i got open tlif l5s1spondylolestis. I have still severe pain in lower back. Expecting painfree soon.
Is it common?
The last and most recent operation tiger had was done by an australian professor, matthew scott-young who is one of the best in australia.
He recently did an l5s1 adr on myself, he is brilliant.
I had this same surgery when I was 63. About two and a half hours later I was up and walking. And a day and a half later I was going up and down steps with absolutely no problem. That was almost four years ago. I have not taken any pain medication since before I left the hospital. My surgery worked.
Before the surgery I was asked if I would be willing to quit smoking to have the surgery because it would never heal correctly and would be a waste of time. I told them I wouldn't be willing to start smoking so I could give it up. The VA will not do back surgeries if you smoke.
Thanks
Hey it’s been a couple years since this post how you holding up?
@clublulu399 it has now been 5 years and 5 months since the surgery. I am holding up real good. Still no back pain, maybe a few muscle pains here and there from lifting stuff that I probably shouldn't be lifting. But all in all, the back is in good shape.
@@krisknowlton5935 very nice dude.
We need to get to the point where we can synthesize a patient's annulus fibrosus in the lab using their own healthy tissue sample & eliminate fusions all together.
Afrocanuk, I just went over the 4 year mark since my surgery. It got rid of the pain and my range of motion is much better than it was in the previous twelve years. But I do agree with you about using your own tissue to solve the problem. Until the doctors perfect that idea this is a good way to go. I was going up and down the stairs at the VA in less than 48 hours after my operation, with no pain. (By that time I was on no pain medication). So after four years I think you could say my operation was 100% successful.
@@krisknowlton5935 I am 35 and looking at an L5 S1 Fusion. I'm in a lot of pain, horrible numbness and weakness. It's a week after my 4th steroid injection and I'm still in pain. I'm calling to start the process to schedule the appointment for the surgery and get all my pre-op checkups this week
@@krisknowlton5935 oh, moral of my story is that yourcomment was encouraging. Thank you. I am terrified to go through best. Everything in my life I am very active very Hands-On and I can't do anything so I have to get this done. How long untill you were up and feeling too normal? I'm healthy and I don't smoke. But my doctor is not making me feel very confident about the surgery. Telling me you'll feel 50% better maybe 80 but it's not guaranteed
@@sds11281 I had my surgery when I was 63 years old so I had that going against me. And yet here I am 67 and doing pretty good. I can't work a 12 hour day any more but I attribute that more to age than anything else. My surgery was anterior L5/S1 fusion with a plate on the front of my spine. Tiger woods had the same surgery 9 months to the day before me and he played in a tournament when I had my surgery. I pretty much was doing what I wanted to do 2 days after the surgery. I know that sounds hard to believe but it is true. The next weekend I was at a conference and was on my feet all day. Don't get me wrong, I was plenty worn out at the end of the day. Your body will tell you what you can or cannot do. The only real long lasting pain I had after I got out of the hospital was where they took bone tissue out of my hip. That pain lasts about 8 weeks but it is bearable. Now, having said all this, everyone's recovery is different. One thing I would mention to you (I can't for the life of me figure out why doctors don't tell their patients this) is this. Rest up for a full week before your surgery. You are going to have major trauma done to your body. You need all the strength you can muster to heal quickly. I have seen so many people try to get everything "done" before they have surgery. So now they are going into surgery all worn out. Maybe that is why I did so well. That and two Doctors that knew what they were doing. I know the pain you are going through and I truly feel for you. Ask your Doctor about the anterior surgery vs. the posterior surgery and see what he says. Please let me know how it goes for you.
@@sds11281 I had a two level fusion plus a single total disc replacement at 59 years. So three of the five lumbar discs are gone from my spine. Thats four years ago. I still work. I have had a few flare ups but mostly its because I drive trucks. ALIF has a pretty good success rate I believe. Surgeon selection is the key. See if you can get patient reported outcomes ? Where the patient says whether the surgery was a success...........not the surgeon ! Some surgeons will use bone morphogenetic protein in the cage with bone graft material and has a fusion rate of around 98 percent. Single level surgery you should be up and running pretty quick . Good luck with it !
Just had a ALIF L5-S1 done about 2 weeks ago. Man it sucks but im staying positive it'll work. Im only 25 by the way
I have l5 s1 any cure
Hi, how's life after fusion? i'm on the same path and am finding myself seesawing between fusion or just slowly and painfully finding a new way to live. I hope you're well. All the best ~M.
@@constantout I've been told that I need the surgery. I'm undecided.
kelly shea
Kelly
How are you doing after your surgery.
I had mine in 1996.
I was fine till 2012 .
Try not to lift anything heavy. Puts a lot of pressure on the disk above your fusion.
Marius Constantin
I had a fusion in 1996 . Try to avoid spinal fusion at all cost . Take it from me I did well up too 2012 . I have four bad disk above my fusion and a lot of other issues. If you need someone to talk to you can call me .
Incredibly well done description of the problem and the surgery. I'm currently going through the same problems as Tiger has been experiencing, and the my only known surgical option is the same fusion surgery. (which scares me horribly)
The disk replacement was probably not an option due to other fractures in his back, most notably facet joint fractures causing him to have Spondylolisthesis in addition to the spinal stenosis.
What makes me believe that he had those issues is the ineffectiveness of the microdiscectomy. The vertebrae themselves are not stable enough to maintain the proper distance to keep it off of the nerve, so all he was doing was prolonging the inevitable.
Joe Formanek From everything I can tell, this particular surgery is incredibly successful at a high rate. But I completely understand your anxiety. I'd be right there with you.
Joe Formanek - Hi, I had an L4/L5 fusion (PLIF) last September and I was playing golf again by March. Not just playing, but I've also improved! You can read a lot of scary stuff online about spine surgery, I did, but there are success stories too. I'm so pleased I've had mine done, I'm only 45 now, and I couldn't face the pain and limitation I had before, for the rest of my life. Just wanted you to know, there is hope mate 👍🏻
HORRIBLE description of this procedure. Look for OTHER vids on this subject.
Joe Formanek It seems like microdiscectomy never works. Tiger, of all people, should have had the best of the best surgeons. It's a shame he had failed surgeries. I hope his latest surgery is his last.
Simon Lowe Hi, I had the microdiscectomy 3 months ago and was told that my facet joint is breaking down now causing more nerve and leg pain. Epidurals have helped but wears of after a month or so. They suggest a fusion and I’m terrified. I’m 42 years old. Any advice?
I am going in for L4/5 S1 July 26th. I have suffered for decades. Last hope
I had the same one about 2 years ago and I wish I never had it 😔 my pain is 5 times worse
How did it go?
So far so good with mine. 3+ weeks out from ALIF. Noticed constant arthritis ache gone. A long with sciatic pain, gone.
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. 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 😊🙃 also my back used to get tight when I lay down for bed but since I started back exercises 4 weeks ago. It doesn't get tight when I lay down only when I drive or sit. Are u 100% healed or do u still have back pain? Did u get surgery? Are you having any complications after surgery?
@@freestylebully4849 I had surgery. L-5s-1 fusion. I will be 6 months out from surgery on the 23rd of this month. Definitely takes time for bone growth and healing. I am just now getting ready to go back to work. My job is physical and on my feet all day, so I have had to heal b4 able to go back. Definitely go to doctor, get mri. Back pain is nothing to mess around with. I waited and ended up almost unable to walk.
@@freestylebully4849 I had no complications. It's been a long road but definitely worth it.
@@maalru did u have back pain and leg pain b4 surgery or only leg pain? I have it only when I sit
@@freestylebully4849 it started as low back pain. Eventually it went all the way down my right leg. Had numbness and sharp sciatic pain. It got really bad to where no matter what position I was in, it hurt. Mine was 4 bulging/ hurniated disc's and l-5 and s-1 were fractured. My l-5 was very fractured. As time went on, the pressure and swelling pinched the nerves. If it had not been fractured, I probably would not have needed surgery. Years b4, spinal injections worked for the bulging hurniations. I've struggled off and on with those for years. Eventually the fractures happened. Had I not had the surgery, I'd Eventually have had stenosis.
Use ice packs, helps with pain and definitely follow doctors orders.
Bro you totally missed the part about the pedical screws and the titanium rods that are used to hold everything together to allow it to heal properly. You mentioned “screws” once, but for this surgery, the use of screws and rods - that may, and likely will, stay in his body forever, well this shouldn’t just have been mentioned, it should have been a major part of your “describing the surgery” which they don’t use “rubbery material” to fuse with. You were correct in that they may use bone from another part of the body - likely taken from a spot nearby like the pelvis, they can also use cadaver tissue (this has to be what you meant by “rubbery material” eg?), but I have never heard of them placing metal in between the bones, that just logically sounds like all it will do is cause further issues. Obviously with all of this detail, I have been through this exact surgery twice - the first one “did not take” as they refer to it in the medical world. I rebroke my new L5/S1 fused vertebrae, and had to have the second one done. So they used donor tissue, which is sorta similar to something like a kidney transplant and the body “rejecting it” ...that is sorta what happened in my first surgery. The second one they took bone from my pelvis with the very logical thinking that hey, this is from your own body, it shouldn’t be rejected at all. And it was not. The surgery took away about 75% of the pain that I was in, but now about oh 7-8 years post-op, that same back pain has returned basically entirely...
Ryan Lamb - Chronic Pain Support Guru I had the same spinal fusion with hardware 1 year and 6 months ago. My surgeon has now found I have a screw loose. Do they just take it out or get the screw back in and leave it alone. How many of these screws can just become loose
2015 I had surgery and now i am feeling pain same place. The ?. Surgery is just temporary. I am doing physical therapy , i am still on pain but not as bad, I am muscle relaxant. I am scare not truly know what to do.
@@s.m.painter8808 Same here bro let me know what helps you
I haven't done any surgery as im scared of it and its complications but then im with my "? "thinking what's going to happen with my pain i have now
@@johnnyrodriguez276 Same here... I basically refuse to do surgery and instead do PT and spinal decompression using the 'Sit and Decompress' thingy I bought on Amazon. I think spine surgeons know you will become a repeat customer so they always push fusion. Ever watch the Bob & Brad channel, they have a lot of helpful videos and indicate they have heard spine surgeons even say "they would avoid fusion surgery at all costs" when it comes to themselves.
HE IS SOOO AMAZING!! 💫❣️☀️💫❣️☀️🙋🏻🙌🏻 He is truly an inspiration… And I am so so happy for him!!! 🤷🏻♀️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Master Champ 2019!! Who woulda thought?
The pain got to the point that I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my lower left back. They just kinda tuck it under the skin, it’s very weird. That worked for about oh a year and a half then my body understood what these electrical signals were doing and basically overwrote them and so the pain returned entirely. At this point, since our nation was under a narcotic medication “crises” as referred to by our govt, I detoxed from any narcotic med that I was on and only took Lyrica at this point. It was then suggested to me by a pretty prominent pain doctor in the Midwest that I have a pain drug pump implanted. So I got the procedure done and the pump is huge. It is in my lower front abdomen and sticks out about 2” or so and it is easily 2-3”x2-3” in size itself. Crazy stuff I know. So the pump helped regulate my pain is how I refer to it. It helped me manage pain when I was in scenarios that would have generally caused me intense pain, I am able to use this little remote that has an antenna attached to it and it communicates with my pump. So when the pain increases I can press a button for a bolus to be released, which is essentially the exact amount of pain meds that are pumped through in a 24 hour day, but pumped in all st once. I am allowed 5 of those a day. Oh and the medication that is being pumped is a mix between bupivacane and hydromorphone. Feel fee to send me a message if anyone has questions about this...
Ryan Lamb - Chronic Pain Support Guru what this pump called
Try ARPwave for pain
I've had an 11 level spinal fusion on the 19th of January, 2018... T8 down to S1... my neurosurgeon says he'd rather see me eventually getting back to golf rather than riding a Can-Am Spyder or similar...
These videos are a bit encouraging to say the least, although, there aren't that many ppl walking around with an 11 level fusion...
I had a TLIF T10 to pelvis in December 2018. I'm 83 and doing great. Before surgery I couldn't stand for more than an hour. Washing 3 dishes in the sink was agony. Total healing takes a year. Best thing I've ever done for myself.
I had 2 back surgerys, one in 2014 and one in 2015, all 5 lumbar disc's are gone, being fused with Cadaver Bone graft's. Some pain still but it got rid of the numb feet and numb legs, and the Siactica is gone.
Aardvark I had my L4, L5 S1 and it has affected my S1 and my hips, I have sciatic, and muscle spasm in upper buttocks and whole back spasms up to lower base of skull, which is fabulous since I have TMJ as well. I now have shooting nerve pain at L3 and nerve pain from lower lumbar that shoots to groin and up into the left thigh.
My spasms most often start after walking away from bed. My back has been too exhausted to where it couldnt hold me up while standing. Ive had to crawl to my house and Ive collapsed at the stove while cooking.
@B K very true. From being active and working hard, to lucky to get 4 hr shifts in every other day. I found info online, that if fused at a wrong angle is what causes disability and other complications.
Im just waiting for the "spine transplant" to become an option. Id risk it just to work again, to live, and have a life again. It isnt fun being left out of everyone's life because youre now a burden or inconvenience. When youre used to that grand firm handshake of approval and great appreciation and respect everyday...The enjoyment of a hard days work. That even if youre cussing throughout the tough moments, that after the day you just shine within, and are even proud of yourself... But now, no one needs you, or appreciates that youre here. That there isnt a place in life where youre needed or expected. There is no grand handshake with a smile of appreciation. There is no day of hard work getting done. Its now just hard to get anything completed, as Im always chasing chores between day(s) off before I can move about again.
And it just ticks me off to hear people think how grand it is that I dont have to work.
Like you said, they dont understand.
@B K when was your surgeries? Mine Aug 2012, Aug 2013, 2014 , and Oct 2015
@@kountryedge sorry to hear about that...my heart goes out to you
S. Garr. You just told my life story it is a nightmare to go through I’ve been a hard worker my whole life I was a carpenter in the union making great money I was raised too work hard with this back issue It’s very hard I’m on ssi I struggle just too keep up doing things at the house i had one surgery without a fusion I’m having so much nerve pain and muscle spasms I don’t know if I should try fusion I hear some people do better then I hear they are worse it’s frustrating 2003 was my last surgery I was still in pain but could cope with pain meds stay strong i pray something gives in your life to get some kind of normalcy
He’s back and kicking ass...
Very good explanation. The problem with the fusion is that he's really going to have to take care of his L4-L5 now as that vertebrae & disc is taking all the load from here on out. Maybe It's time for him to retire.
Sandra Bentley easy for him to retire as he has money to do so i believe. But if he was a regular 2nd class citizen, we all still have chores to do and cant afford to hire someone to do the hefty stuff.
Guess not, huh?
Good thing he didn't retire!!!!
Sandra Bentley
It is so awesome he just won. Shows many many of us, it can be done with the right Doctors!
L5-S1 laminectomy with right L5-S1 facetectomy and
foraminotomy with posterolateral fusion using pedicle screw fixation was done on me 3 weeks ago.
Woods won the Masters 2 years later. Crazy.
He sido Domínguez Great becuase he just another Master. I just had the fusión two month ago.
Did you have L5 S1 spinal fusion? How are you doing? Did you lose mobility?where did you get your procedure done?
I had this surgery two years today and a 6 month recovery is very optimistic. I'm a lot better but not pain free. Also they went in through the front replaced my discs then went through the back put in titanium cage etc
Trolls 4 Life
How are you feeling now??
I am getting ready to go through the same thing. On a Monday, ALIF of L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 using titanium cages. On the following Wednesday, I will have PLIF with pins and rods to secure the ALIF. Body brace for 8 weeks. No golf for 6 months.
Hi , Did you go to Germany to get your disc's ? or here in US ? Thanks
Michael Joe, how did the surgery went bro?
Bobby Dale man this is a lot to go through.
Ive had four back surgeries which ended with L4 L5 S1 fusion and I fall under the "failed" category and placed at 81% disabled.
What does 81% look like; mow 1/4 acre and needing to take two days off for recovery afterwards. Sometimes needing to wait the next day before able to take a shower.
DO NOT get a fusion if you dont have to!! Get more than one opinion AND get an MRI and the findings, then take MRI to other doctors to see if you get the same reading.
My surgeon lied to me of the findings of my MRI. He said nothing was found of a blown disc or pinched nerves. His reason "I didnt feel that it was the cause for your pain and nerve pain down your leg" but gave surgery of artificial disc implant in L5-S1 because of a extremely small tear vs. mass destruction (that doesnt exists) above.
I share your pain and you are right. Back in the 90s two of my lumber discs finally collapsed I had a double inter body spinal fusion to L4 L5 and S1 and I have to take strong Opioids for pain and nerve meds to give me enough relief to move around but even then my career was cut short and I retired early.
@@ferark 3:58
Wait bro let me get this straight. So your doc placed an ADR in l5s1 because of a tear he saw around that segment and when that didn’t help they had to go back, remove the ADR and fuse the l4-l5-s1 segments ??
no mention of any instrumentation (rods and screws), so just cadaver bone fusion??
Pretty sure they used rods and screws too as bone by itself is unstable.
No screws or rods, it's called a stand-alone with a metal plate on the inside.
Must be horrible for him....I just had L5 S1 but I didn't have that much pain after 3 weeks
Holy shit. That's the same thing I got. Except I got a lamenectamy at the same time. :( 2 years and I can walk now yay. I'm still in pain though :(
I need exactly this surgery very badly as I have 4 herniated lumbar discs (in addition to the previous lumbar discectomy/laminectomy I had 20 yrs ago) but insurance would only cover a 2 level fusion, so I'm pretty much fucked. Why that is I do not know. I've also had 3 levels in my neck fused over 2 surgeries. Back problems really can wreck your life.
I had 2 L5 S1 microdisectomies that didnt do shit. I still had numbness down my left leg. I just had a laminotomy 2 weeks ago and the left leg numbness is markedly better, I would say about 85%, but now I have numbness just as bad down my right leg which I never had before. I fear I may well end up having to have L5 S1 spinal fusion. I feel like I wasted 3 surgeries and long recoveries when I could have just gone right to fusion and saved the hastle.
Why Tiger did not fly to Europe for an artificial disc instead of a fusion is a staggering question. Some orthopedic surgeon in the US talked into this fusion. Each disc level is about 6 degrees of movement. Think Tiger would want that back, as his game is still not the same now in 2019. I went to Barcelona Spine Center for an artificial disc. I am VERY happy I did so. Europe is ten years ahead of the US in part because the artificial disc implant was invented by a surgeon in Germany in the mid 70’s and is the epicenter of excellence in training. The problem with fusion is many cause ASD Adjacent Segment Degeneration wearing out the next disc level some 6 to 12 years later. Then it’s another fusion or whatever. What BS. The FDA is very slow. In part, fusion is the way US surgeons are trained.
There are exceptions with specialist like Dr Michael Janneson in Denver, however he does not have access to the European discs. There is also Dr Harel Duetsch at Rush Chicago and Dr. John Hsiang at Swedish Spine in the Seattle area. These surgeons have performed thousands.
The problem at L5-S1 it it’s not FDA approved yet in the US. My Spinal Kinetics M6 L at L3/4 has a nucleus that has a cushion effect so energy is mitigated and not transferred as much to the adjacent level disc. I know someone who just had the ESP is a French Disc at L5/S1.
In my experience, I had a double level lumbar fusion and 10 years later in MF pain again. Dr Clavel in Barcelona implanted the artificial disc on top of the old fusion and I was out of all nasty pain virtually immediately. Stayed in hospital 3 days. Walked freely 15 miles over 10 days after literally as a tourist - what an outstanding walking City Barcelona is, we had a blast. Paid $26k for lumbar in 2016 and had a double level cervical done in 2018 and paid $35k. The only extra costs are travel and hotel after. Flat fee included physical therapist after as well. Nice people and they speak English for the most part. He has a translator there overnight (college student) just in case anything comes up. The hospital room has a lounge as well, so she stays out there. My only suggestion is to discuss the golfing aspects of your life. Dr Clavel does a 30 minute Skype call to answer all the questions. That costs something like $300 US but that’s credited to the surgery if you so elect to proceed. Ya, I will work a couple xtra years before retiring to pay for it. Take the tax break, talk to CPA as well.
JR Chicago
Wow I pray, many can get the true help. FDA needs a attitude adjustment. There for the money. The US needs a true cleaning. Getting rid of the greedy. And allow the true cures in.
He might not have been eligible due to poor bone density . They usually won't do disc replacement if you have weak T scores and will only do fusion. Just my guess
I’m about to have an L4 L5 fusion done in two weeks. I am not sure if a disc replacement can be done on this level in the back? I would consider going out of the states or to a different state to have it done if it seems to be a better treatment. Would love to hear how your recovery is going and more about your experience. I’m pretty scared but just want to do whatever is best. thank you for your comment and details. Much appreciated👍 by the way I am a 56-year-old female in good shape.
JR Chicago how are you today? The money you said you paid is out of pocket or the cost of what the insurance paid?
do a lot of research and you will see that ADR has a ton of issues as well, especially at l5/s1
So I really want to know, what is better and will keep me moving forward. Is spinal decompression therapy better than spinal surgery? I need to know because it's driving me nuts and I want to go back feeling a 💯...😕😢
I've had two back surgeries....multi-level fusion with a cage, rods, and screws - My spine is full of titanium. In my personal (and sometimes quite painful) opinion, try the therapy first, and then if it doesn't give you enough relief, seek the help of a neurosurgeon who is willing to do the necessary diagnostic imaging, to include a CT Myleogram. The imaging will show the neurosurgeon the exact source of your pain. They seem to know exactly how to pinpoint and operate in such a way of giving all the nerves a greater chance of recovery. At the end of the day, remember this: ONCE CUT, ALWAYS CUT. Don't rush into surgery, although I totally understand you're in severe pain, try everything else first....surgery is not a guarantee of relief and the surgical recovery is no picnic!
Donna Spurlock definitely go with the most less invasive things some people get impatient and jump into a surgery that can cause more problems there just is no quick fix when it comes to back injury’s be positive and do all you can do to not have surgery
I had the same surgery and my doctor told me there is nothing else he could do I wish I was tiger to get another surgery with no insurance I will be living with Pain all my life
Did it fail for you? Oh no that’s sad.. Or it just wasn’t what was causing the original pain.
Si joint
I'm having this same procedure done in 25 days! Will it help my driver the ball 350?
Precise and concise; it's a great footage!
👍
im 30 and i just had the same exact surgery.. its been 3 weeks now and im just taking it easy right now.. i can say that my back feels a bit better but the pain is now in my left cheek.. i also experienced "shooting blanks".. The doc told me that its a chance that i may not be able to have kids because of it..
Ya I have Fusion of the L5-S1. It sucks, it's not even fully healed and now my SI Joints are blowing out, bone on bone.
BTW I had mine done at 24.
Same here
Just had a second Opinion Doctor say my Fusion is so bad, he needs to go in and Bone Graft because I have a non-union.
ImMoreAwesomer, when was your surgery? And how many months they gave off work?
kickdog 69 I had my anterior laminectomy fusion in 2001 right from the get go my left leg bothered me. My Doctor did not explain to me he just did a failed back surgery. Arthritis has surrounded the area. And 2017 MRI shows bone spur and L-5 bulging my pain is out of this world with pain meds. At the start my Doctor said pain medication or surgery. Of course hid sight I would not get it done again. Injections they don't explain if they hit a nerve your done for. They are temporary so why take a chance! I did go for 2 different kind of injections and my back was actually stinging. It seemed every procedure I was the 1 in 500 that they screwed up on. They punctured my sac the one that goes around spin and brain. They patched it by taken blood from me and sticking it in my back putting another hole in my sac to clot the holes. Hope this answered your questions there so much more.
I had a microdiscectomy
Didn’t work. My back is way worse than tigers
Btw an anterior way to do lumbar spinal is very risky because you are pushing the descending aorta to the side.
Har it done twice. Most painful thing ever.
and riskier for men because an anterior approach can cause retrograde ejaculation so it’ll be difficult to make babies
I've waited over a year for l4 l5 spinal fusion the pain is debilitating horrendous
Hi, what’s the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and Neurologist surgeon for this type of surgery? I need to do one and I talked to a neurologist friend and he recommended it was better to do it with a neurosurgeon
I think it depends more on the skill of the individual surgeon than neurosurgeon vs ortho spine. There are good surgeons and bad surgeons in all specialties. Where I work, if a doctor, nurse, or family member needs spine surgery, they tend to get the ortho spine surgeon. That’s not to say you should get an ortho spine surgeon. You just need a good surgeon.
Why did they go in from the front rather than the back? Any advantage to either? Just curious
What is your take on pro disc replacement?
Good job.
How much pain will I be in after first week of this surgery? Anybody?
I can't cope anymore I've constant spasms on the right side forcing my spine leaning to the left...The pain is horrific and on morphine daily...Ive no option now but having this surgery I'm scared...Really really scared my dad had this operation but it failed...I physically can't cope I've children and worried...
Ive already had microdisectomy...I can't sit or stand for over 2 minutes without morphine... Fusion I need
You can get an artificial disc procedure done in Germany for 15k euros for one level. Borrow money and get it done. You will be 100% satisfied. Do not get fused.
They don't do lumbar disk replacement surgery thats for cervical surgery
How horrible. I have had both fusion and microdiscectomy. Once you have the micro you are not ever supposed to twist hard again. There goes golfing. Fusion is even worse as you become inflexible and a high percentage of victims become chronic pain patients for life. How horrible.
Ya I have Fusion of the L5-S1. It sucks, it's not even fully healed and now my SI Joints are blowing out, bone on bone.
Jonathan C. Very true, swimming is even difficult.
ImMoreAwesomer it sure is
Swimming I have found to be the safest way to keep up with my health and biggest is eating right, vitamins etc
Jonathan C. Very true
I had discectomy and for a decade all I dream of is strangling my surgeon yelling "what the F did you do to me"
Maybe you should find a new doctor who can help you. Make sure you find someone who is young. They know all the newest techniques.
Sharon Martin, yeah right!
So... No One have a good experience with this procedure? I did almost two years ago and Im great. I do bodybuilding, and i do a normal life.. AM i an alien?
He won the 201o Masters!!!!😎😎🤗🤗
Had the same surgery 6years back. Now again so! Ething has had happened which let's me in the same position where I was before.
Got my scan done n l5s1 fails after 6yrs, now doctors have qued me for another revision surgery.
Do they always take out the disk and replace it?
for a fusion, the disk is taken out and a bone graft is put in it’s place. The rods and screws are to hold the spine in place until the bone graft grows and fuses with the backbone above and below. A lot of times, the disc is the problem so it has to come out anyway.
I've had the exact same operation and it's not helped at all! I'm 4 years post op and really wished I never had it done!
Same here but two fusions now and need to have more done as 70% of pain is back.
Suffered chronic back pain for almost 30 years now. In 1993 I had a two level L4 L5 and S1 double lumber spinal fusion and despite getting me up moving again it’s left me in constant pain to such a degree I had to retire early and to this day take strong opioid pain medication.
@@ferark Been 10 for me but the sciatic pain has been far worse than the lower back pain. I'm 54 and may not be able to work but don't have an option to retire early.
I had the surgery last week and I should have never had it done the pain is unbearable
@@trpayne617 You're only a week out. If they went thru your stomach it will be much better after you can "relieve" some internal pressure (I always pray for God to take me at that moment) and your organs resettle. But they do say this pain is the 2nd worst you can have from surgeries. Update us in a week or two on how you are feeling.
This operation sounds hardcore.... makes me cringe. However based on how he’s playing now looks like it worked!!
Ordinary Sneaker Guy.... He only had 1 level done. I had 3 levels done a month ago L2-5, I'm getting better every day. Not only did I have a spinal fusion but 2 days later I had another major back surgery to straighten my lower spine because of degenerative sciliosis and Spondylolithesis and then they put rods and screws in to hold it all together. That's HARD CORE. 😊
Sharon Martin he's not okay he wouldn't of had to have 4 and now fusion he's on some serious drugs
Charlene Norman I'm probably on the same drugs. I hate them and hope both Tiger and I can get off them after they've served their purpose.
HARD CORE here as well, but I fall under the failed category. Im 45 and now 81% disabled.
What surgeon at the Texas Spine Institute did Tiger use?
Yes and unfortunately Dr. Guyer doesn't take Medicare! What a shame that some Drs. only serve the rich!
Jay G. I'm having surgery done by him in August! Had no idea he had worked on Tiger. I can tell you right now that I am by no means rich, but bcbs is covering more than I had anticipated.
Taylor Browning I used a doctor in Arkansas and hat was from the TSI. I had L4-L5-S1 fusion and bcbs covered all the expenses except my 5k out of pocket $. I had it done March 6,2017 and it stabilized my broken L5 but I’m still in quite a bite of pain but nothing like I was before the surgery.
@Sir TroLLington Da 3rd Above and beyond my hopes. I had L3/L4 and L4/L5 artificial disc replacements and L5/S1 fused. Before, I had days where I couldn’t get out of bed due to pain and the sciatica was brutal as well. I had to buy a cane to help when I walked. Now it’s been 1 year and 3 months since my surgery. I can actually work now and have a life! I can sit/stand for more than 15 minutes without being in so much pain. Now, with what I had , there isn’t a cure. He warned me it wouldn’t take away my pain 100%, but I can say that surgery was definitely the best and only option for me. I have a life that doesn’t revolve around my pain. I still have pain, and sitting/standing for about 2 hours will need some Advil. I have bad days only once in a blue moon now instead of a weekly occurrence.
Sir TroLLington Da 3rd I used Dr. Nalley at Ozark Orthopedic in NW ARKANSAS . But he has sense left there and went back to Florida.
Two years after the surgery. Do we know if the recovery went well ?
He won the Masters again after that. I have L4/L5/S1 fused now but am looking at more surgery now due to my job environment. Tiger can have daily therapy, core training, massages unlike most of us. But he still has to skip playing tournaments.
Is a posterior fusion good for a 19 year old. I had surgery for my L4 S1 and L5 and I had a shocking running down my back side of my left leg
What are some good exercise for me ? Need help
GimmieEmCheeks I was 22 when I had two artificial disc replacements at L3/L4, L4/L5 and a fusion at L5/S1. Doctors didn’t want to even discuss surgery with me because they said I was too young. When I started seeing Dr. Guyer, he made sure I tried everything conservative and ran a test called a discogram. That’s what showed the extent of my problems that an mri couldn’t show. When he read the results of the test, was the day he told me I needed surgery.
@@taylorbrowning7427 hey man how are you now? Did you have Prodisc L
Had the exact same surgery 5 weeks ago. Hoping I end up as well as Tiger did. Sure don’t feel like I will at this point!
How u feel now? I got same surgery before 2months. Now i getting better. Still have pain and doctor said wait 6 months for bent forward
@@hadhihamdhan7342 how you doing now?
Just 6 weeks out from spinal fusion L5-S1. I am still hopeful but find it curious that my artificial knee, hurts now. Really my whole body hurts. Neck pain, back feels very weak and I can barely lift either leg to get into the car. Anyone?
Everything hurts more. That damn sciatic nerve seems to affect multiple areas.
My is L5 L4 L3 I was supposed to have surgery but my doctor's drink to much can't trust them and now I'm scared to see others doctors
If they did this type of procedure from the from his best option should have been a artificial disc replacement. He would have had a faster recovery and kept his mobility. Why they had him fuse it makes absolutely No Sense at all. This is the only choice I would make if I could go back and change my options before I had S1 to L5 spinal fusion. After 5 years I'm starting to have the same pain happen again. Come to find out this is very typical of a S1 to L5 fusion.
Clearly Woods can GOLF with little to no issues!
If you watched the recent masters he had problems making it through the tournament. And I understand why. Not only does the surgery take away most of your mobility but I can only do so much physical activity before I have to sit and rest. I don't see how he does it.
Why can't they just seal the herniated disc and keep it from oozing?
In some cases, it's just plain-old worn out! Hardly any disc space left and, hence, unstable. Herniation is definitely a part of it, but sometimes we just wear out our connective tissue altogether.
drkevinpauza.com/procedures/pauza-disc-treatment.html
it's funny ppl think it worked for him and it would work the same for you.
Do not do the fusion, you are going to compromise the other discs. You need another disc, not a fusion, that is ultimately an unnatural operation. Go to Germany and get an LP-ESP disc!
People dont have the money for that and cant survive the flight with that pain. Theres no alternative to the fusion.
I do not understand how can this surgery be still used. If a person is thinking about having fusion they should see at least three different surgeons and ask them if an artificial disk replacement is an option. Fusion is obsolete and useless in 70% of the cases. To this day and age such surgery should almost be eradicate in pts who are candidates for an artificial disc replacement.
Ya I have Fusion of the L5-S1. It sucks, it's not even fully healed and now my SI Joints are blowing out, bone on bone.
I had to though, I had a bad case of Spondylolisthesis. Basically my back broke, became unanchored and slipped into my spinal canal crushing it. I had it done to prevent potential paralysis.
I am so sorry to heard that. Unfortunately in your situation, a proper stabilization had to be made to prevent any further slippage. I am talking for the people who have degenerative discs.
I understand, and agree actually, Spinal Fusion should only be used very extreme problems of the Spine. It's used for things it shouldn't be far too often.
IMO, 'murica has the worst spine-care in the civilized world. ADR is not often practiced here because US medicine is ruled by insurance companies. They won't pay for "new" technologies. Mind you, the "gold standard" in US medicine is something that has proven results for 50 years or more.
I am having T-10 to S-1 on May 27
OMG! What is the diagnosis and your symptoms? Degenerative disc disease? Any previous spinal surgeries? I currently have L3-4-5-S1 fused. Three surgeries over about five years. Back hurts bad, my doc says need L2 fused! I don't want to do it.
@@terrygee186 I have had 3 former surgeries- my symptoms were butt pain with sciatica down my legs to my feet, only temporary relief by pain patches.
The surgery was T-11 to S-2 on May 27th 2021. Tuff recovery but 24th day. Thankful to my nieces and neighbor, visiting nurse too!
Pain gone away....No just the opposite....how dare you
Tiger gets massive amounts of opioids still so that is also helpful 🤔🙄
And here I am 3 15mg oxy a day!!
This stuff is barbaric. The spine is nothing more than a series of JOINTS. You wouldnt fuse a knee or hip. Why would you fuse your back? It may alleviate the pain but it tears down the adjacent discs at an accelerated rate. That just means more surgery and less mobility. I dont blame the patient, i blame the medical industry and the insurance companies. Artificial disc replacement is the future. I had one done at c5c6 years ago despite having to fight with my insurance for 2 months. In and out of the clinic. No pain. Back at work in 4 days. Off pain meds in 10 days. No more surgeries.
Now im doing it all over again with my back. Ugh. Look at what Germany has been doing. They've been doing lumbar disc replacements for decades. Unbelievable results. Why TF are we still so far behind? Oh yeah, a cured patient doesnt keep paying money.
the results with ADR aren't as good as they seem. start researching and talking to people who have had it, it causes facet degeneration. the ball and socket designs don't really mimic the disc, and the elastic discs aren't time proven.
i had this surgery but get worsen
Ya I have Fusion of the L5-S1. It sucks, it's not even fully healed and now my SI Joints are blowing out, bone on bone.
judy chen, how are you feeling today?
the truth, I hear you bro unfortunately it's too late for me.I'm all ready f**k up.
judy chen me too
I'm a month after L2 to L5 fusion... 3 levels. I sure hope it works because of it doesn't I'm FUBAR.
Pain never go away. Get worse L 4 & L5 surgery
Lien Nguyen it looks like we are in the same boat I did my surgery and now I am worth even passing out frequently since my fusion L5 S1
And he wins the Masters.😁
Hi there i have problem
l4/l5 andl5/s1 i have horrific pain that even makes me sleep all the time plz Guid mr guys what should i do docter tells me that it need operation now i don't know what should i do ..those who have experience plz guid me plz..than ku so much
Ali rostami do your own research. Search for ADR LP-ESP. I went to Germany to get two artificial discs. It cost me $30k. If you have health insurance you might be reimbursed. If you don’t have money, borrow it. Do not get fused.
Andre N bro does really work?
had it...was fine..carrying my ckubs..reinjured my bk hvng sex...not glfng...now its pretty fkd
It sounds like you two are a couple of retired stallions.
Moving foward👈🏿🤢
I had l5s1 fused at 20
no way really? how are you now
Hurting but from segments above fusion
J rob , how are you doing now, and what cause you to have to have a fusion do early?
R u there and see this comment bro?
Bull crap, it's only 25%
Had a l4 l5 fusion worst decision I’ve ever made. Not only am I in worse pain and I can barley move? Hardware broke need a second surgery? Your not tiger woods think before having this type of surgery.
The surgeon recommends surgery at L5-S1. Nope, not happening.
How does your back feel L5 S1?
4 surgeries he's screwed
Not really! He just won another championship.
Ismal Lopez
I get it he loves golf! Most of us love sports too! But if anyone thinks hes w/o pain, there wrong, I truly hope he enjoys playing. As long as he can.
In other words Tiger got butchered! Next time skip skip the surgeon and run to the chiropractor.
A chiropractor won’t be able to fix your disc issues and half the time they don’t know what they are treating. They do the same routine to pretty much everybody. I’ve seen three different chiropractors over the years and none of them picked up on my problem. Nobody told me to get an mri. I decided myself to get one and pay out of pocket after multiple chiropractors and urgent care visits for the past ten years or so being treated for “muscle spasm”. Now my L5S1 disc is pretty much trash and have been in chronic pain. A good spine surgeon will be very conservative. There are scammy ones out there that advertise heavily and will be glad to take your money though. Stay away from those guys. From what I’ve seen, they sugar coat everything. They have bad reviews if you dig deep enough and some have been sued.