Two years on

A little over two years ago I took the decision to have a major spinal operation done, after suffering from acute lower back pain for about 2 years. The problem had been there for several years before that, albeit intermittently. Initially it wasn't something I relished, but by the time I made the decision it was the only solution for me despite my consultant's reluctance to do it. The operation is known as a Posterior and Instrumented Lumbar Fusion, which involves removing the damaged disc(L5S1 in my case), inserting a titanium plate in its place, grafting bone onto the area then fixing the two vertebrae together with screws 

I had the operation done two years ago tomorrow (19/9/08) and it was a complete success. The recovery period was astonishingly slow after an unbelievable first period of rehab. I was told that post-op I would be in a worse condition than prior to the proceedure for up to three months. This wasn't the case for me as I was able to spend three weeks walking around the Walt Disney World resort in Florida just eight weeks after the operation. I was on crutches the entire time, but even this was a major triumph when you think of the possibility of being practically bed bound for 12 weeks after the operation.



So, two years down the line and six months since I finally returned to work, am I really any better for having gone through the operation? I hated not being able to play with the kids before the op, it was just too painful to run around or roll around on the floor playing with them. The operation has allowed me to do all this which I am so grateful for. However, a noticeable and growing problem has shown itself over the last few weeks, ever since I boldly claimed to a friend how great it was to be pain free

On Monday of this week I stepped out of my work van to fuel up. As my feet hit the floor something went click..."CLICK" in my back. Your back is not meant to make audible noises to you. It left me in quite a lot of pain, without drastically altering how I do things. I have taken it easier, but that is more a case of being safe rather than sorry. What I couldn't prevent was the events of yesterday in work. Some arsehole tipped engine oil in our depot. Now, most people if they were to spill something would have the sense to clean it up. Not the fool who done this. Instead, they placed a piece of cardboard over it, just big enough to hide the evidence. It wasn't pressed in to the oil in a half-assed attempt to soak it up, just laid there. I stepped on this piece of card and before I even had time to realise what was happening I had slipped forward and upward, landing on my back about 5ft away from where my foot last touched the ground

I was physically sick from the pain of the fall but I managed to get through the day and get all my deliveries done. That is all I have managed since the fall though. I can barely move, I feel almost scared to, the tenderness is so bad in the lower back right now. I have not dressed today and didn't get out of bed until 11am. I wouldn't be able to tie the laces on my DM's so there is no point even attempting to go out anywhere.

This isn't a recurrence of my back complaint as that is an impossibility. I had the troublesome disc removed so it can not cause any more issues. What I am fearful of is it being the knock on effect of having the fusion. I was told in no uncertain terms by my consultant that there was every likelihood of me suffering another prolapsed disc 5-10 years down the line because once the offending disc is removed, it increases the pressure and work load on the next disc in the spine. Like I said, this was two years ago so I am hoping it isn't so bad a degenerative condition as to have impacted on me so soon. I do fear the worse though. The reason my consultant didn't want to perform the lumbar fusion in the first place was because it was "an old man's op" normally for people double my age. If my back can become so bad through wear and tear that I require the op at 37, is it inconceivable that may back could relapse so quickly now.

I do not regret for one second having made the decision to have the op done. I knew within two weeks, despite my post-op pains, that it had been a success. It got me back to work which was never going to happen if I hadn't gone under the knife. However, I would never choose to have it done again. Nothing can prepare you for the absolute loss of independence. Nothing can prepare you for the pain that comes with it. Having to learn to walk again, having to learn how to get out of bed. Being totally reliant on your loved ones to do everything for you. It is a horrible situation to be in, so hard not being able to give your kids a hug because you can not bend over to reach them, or allow them to come to you because you are so sore that any contact can cripple you with pain

Two years down the line and I am physically in a better place than I was two years ago. Psychologically I think I am worse off now than I was then. Back when I agreed to the op I didn't know what lay ahead, I assumed the op would be the cure to all my troubles. Now, two years on I am much more realistic about what my situation would be should I need to go under the knife again. I just hope it doesn't come to that any time soon