vincent walker wrote:


On 9/25/07 11:33 AM, in article , "VtSkier"
wrote:



Vinnie,
This sounds like what my ex-wife will be going
through for a "synovial cyst" in the lumbar
region. What was the reason for your surgery?
You may have said, but I frequently ignore
rsa completely when the noise/information ratio
gets too high.



Let's see I was born with an inherent weakness in the spine -
Spondylolithesis. I damaged the L5 (Lumbar disk) in a ski accident in 1969.
Slightly dislocated it - pushed it forward. I would intermittently suffer
from lower back pain and sciatica but was able to live with it for 4 decades
- until I became a nurse - it migrated more forward - total displacement
about 1cm and things were getting very dicey - constant pain and occasional
loss of muscle control in the legs. The only workable solution was a L5/S1
Fusion/Decompression with Titanium. Most Lumbar procedures will mirror what
is happening to me. You spend two weeks trying to get comfortable with the
staples and the new bone arrangement. Actually, knock on wood, I'm doing
well at this stage. You have to be patient and follow the prescribed
regimen-too much too fast does not work in your favor in this case.
Everything - bones, muscles and nerves need to find their new equilibrium.
You can go stir-crazy, though.




Good Luck with your recovery. Here is my lumbar case for comparative
purposes, less evasive due to less diagnosis to yours:

3 years of progressive L4 and L5 disc issues from bulge to final rupture
L5 (hard telemark fall last Feb. 07) and the L4 herniation and mild to
moderate stenosis based on CT and MRI scans. Progressively worse pain
and sciatic symptoms which I could not take after 6 weeks of rest and
meds so I opted for surgery. Lumbar laminectomy with discotomy, which
basically means clean out the loose disc fragments in the spine and
loose pieces in the disc while leaving that in place, shaved bone on
vertebrae to relieve pressure on spine and apply steroidal cortisone on
herniation to mitigate that a bit. Surgery in late April 07.

Walking some the next day. Walking only exercise for 6 weeks, then some
light lifting and stretching. Lifting 10 pound at 2 months or so.
Sciatic symptoms almost completely gone immediately, though some return
of minor leg tightness recently. Hikes and lifting under 30 pounds seems
OK, basic house chores, etc. no hard work (I used to moonlight as
landscape laborer). I bought my A-basin pass and other 4 packs on
surgeons advice that skiing will be fine if I heed normal caution
suggestions. I hope to get at least 20 days in (usually I'm 20 - 30+
days on alpine), though bumps may be limited. I plan to go on a hunt
elk in two weeks but only as an observer, no packing out more than 20
pounds, simply want to camp and be in the field. The muscle and tendon
cuts really limited torso strength, twisting exercise or work, and has
been my biggest limitation beyond getting through atrophy elimination.

Patience is key in my case as well, but feeling a lot better and glad I
did it so far.


Cheers

--
Bill Armstrong - Xilinx Colorado -

"Excellence is achieved by the mastery of fundamentals." -- Vince Lombardi