Spinal surgery

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RSH

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I have recently discovered that I have an old fracture in my spine (L4) and my doctor has recommended surgery to place a rod and screws in my spine to stabilize it. I was just wondering if there are any riders out there who have had this done? I'm still trying to get my head around this and obviously need to discuss this with my doctor more but I'd love to hear from people who have had this done and their stories as to whether it was a success or not. For example are you able to ride/compete as before or has it limited your riding? Have you had to change discipline (I'm an eventer and I want to continue eventing)?
 
The problem with this type of surgery is that although it fixes the problem, it creates another .. especially if you ride horses. In the event of a fall the rods will do their job just fine, but the area either side will have more of a strain put on it because of the rigid nature of the mended bit.
 
I fractured L1 and L2 several years ago (also head of femur). The decision was to let the spinal fractures heal naturally, with the aid of a hideous metal back brace! However, yours is a different and much more serious situation so, as mentioned by Rhandir, you should discuss this with your Orthopaedic consultant/doctor and find out the ramifications of surgery versus no-surgery. I hope you have a good outcome and that your recovery is successful. Good luck!
 
Yes I've had a similar surgery. I broke L1 and part of it was pretty much crushed beyond repair. They took that out and carved a new bit of vertebra from a piece of my pelvis. Then rods and screws were inserted into the vertebrae above and below to take my weight while it healed (they got me standing pretty much as soon as I came round from the anaesthetic). The metalwork was then removed a year later. The scar on my back is about 12 inches long, but it's pretty neat considering that it's been opened twice. The only thing that has affected my riding is the fact that I unfortunately damaged the spinal cord during the accident, rather than the ops to put me back together.
 
RSH said:
my doctor has recommended surgery to place a rod and screws in my spine to stabilize it.
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Is that an orthopaedic consultant? If it was me I would consult a spinal specialist either on the NHS or privately. Assessments would ascertain if an op was needed or if physiotherapy and strengthening of relevant muscles etc would keep my back strong. For me, I would really hope to avoid an op and would go for the physio and regular prescribed exercise if people thought it would work. It may be that an op would be possible further down the line (depending on the injury).
 
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I too would be wanting a specialist opinion and unless absolutely necessary I wouldn't be letting anyone operate on my spine unless I had neuro symptoms eg pins and needles loss of sensation.-
the fact it's an old fracture (you don't specify how old) makes me think that it has either healed incorrectly hence needs re breaking and positioning or that it's a couple weeks old and maybe not perfectly aligned- in the later you may get away with a brace and physio.
They are the experts but Like I say I would be questioning and questioning why It needs an op.
 
I saw Tim Stockdale out jumping during the week, he looked fine. Didn't he do a similar thing? In fact, I think if you look at jump jockey's there are lots of them who seem to come back and carry on their careers. My brother was knocked off his bike by a lorry in London and had a horrendous back operation and has also come back just fine. So I guess there are some great success stories out there.

ETS, really rotten luck, and whatever you decide I wish you the very best of luck, all you can do is take the best advice and find people you trust to find a way through it.
 
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With this type of op there is no going back .. it can't be undone, and there is a risk that it will be more painful than before, a fact that not many consultants will divulge. If you do decide to take things further or maybe speak to someone who really knows what they are doing I would strongly suggest RNOH Stanmore ... it may well be a long way from where you live ... I travel there from West Wales. I can give you a list of Consultants, both NHS and private if you would like to pm me
 
I'm seeing a top spinal specialist privately so I'm in good hands. My fracture is several years old! I've had a lot of back pain and have seen many different doctors over the years but no one managed to identify the real problem, as originally it was thought to be due to a ruptured disk. I've been doing physio for years but as the fracture hasn't healed properly I'm still in pain. It's looking more likely that I'm going to need surgery to fix it. If it had been diagnosed properly at the time then I'm sure I could have got away with a brace and rest but I think I'm well past that stage. The idea of surgery does scare me but the though of living in constant pain doesn't appeal either.
 
Sounds as if you are in good hands. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are, although I opted not to go down the surgical route, not that it was an option for me when I actually did it .. now, of course I'm just too old :) However, there is an alternative if you are a suitable candidate .. electronic de -nervation. For me it has been a life saver, I still have problems but I'm pretty much pain free these days
 
It's usually done under MRI as the placement of the needle needs to be extremely precise. It is placed between the facet joint where the nerves come out of the spine .. when everything is right a tiny electrical charge is put down the needle for a few seconds to cauterise the nerve. The nerve will grow back, I had my last session about two years ago and so far everything is still good. So good in fact that I'm just about to start my 4yo. . I may well be mad, but life is for living
 
OP, are they absolutely certain that the pain you are feeling stems from the fracture and not from a disk problem - it would be blooming awful to go through that sort of surgery to find that actually a much more minor discectomy would have worked?
 
I've had L4-S1 fused with rods and screws (metal work still in there). This was my 3rd spinal op after recurrent disc problems. Had the fusion in 2008 along with a discketomy and laminectomy and I ride and care for my own 3 horses. I am knocking on a bit now so finding other joints are aching more than my back after I've had a hard day. I did have numerous facet joint injections over the years and have to say they made no difference for my pain levels.
 
I fractured T7 and had fusion/stabilise t5-t9 after a fall. I was in a plaster jacket for 3 months etc but i got back on as soon as i could and it didnt give me a problem. But i had another operation 18months later to remove all the metal work as the surgeon said that if i intended to continue riding and was relatively young he wanted the metalwork out because if i fall off with it in i will be much harder to fix (you dont know where the metal will end up!) that was 5 years ago and it gives me no trouble
 
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