Post by seepl on May 14, 2014 14:18:23 GMT
My mother was diagnosed with a slipped disc approximately two years ago. It did not exactly come as a shock, but it still caught us off guard nonetheless. It started with her right thigh growing weaker and aching from time to time. We did not give much thought to it as we assumed that it would go away sooner or later. When it did not, we brought her to the see a doctor and had a referral. However, the date of the referral came too late. Her condition rapidly worsened to a stage that she could no longer walk without experiencing an acute pain whenever she puts pressure on her right foot. She was sent to the A&E immediately and was arranged for hospitalisation.
During the hospitalisation, she was given physiotherapy and her pain was significantly reduced. Still, she could barely walk. The doctor recommended her to go for a surgery, where the discs involved would be removed and replaced with metal discs. An alternative would be to slice off the protrusion that was pressing on her nerves. However given her age, the first was deemed to be more appropriate as there is a 50% probability that the symptoms may be back once again and surgery at a later age would pose greater risk. There is a third alternative, a natural course of recovery where the patient will have to bear with the excruciating pain for approximately 6 months as the body cures itself. We went with the first.
The doctor gave a forewarning before the surgery. Though he could ensure that she can resume walking once again, her body would never return to how it was before. She will not be able to carry objects that weigh more than 1kg, carry out tasks that are physically exhausting nor be as flexible as she was before. He could take away the acute pain and allow her to regain the ability to walk, but nothing more than that. After the surgery, my mother was in an exceptionally frail situation for almost a year. She would experience what she describes as a sensation close to ‘muscle-ache’ at the area of her surgery if she does not lie down and rest every 3 hours. She was not as stable on her feet as she was before. When faced with an incoming crowd, she would freeze in her tracks as she fear that she may lose her balance if anyone would give her as much as a slight push. It was definitely not an easy recovery journey. My mother was a hardworking individual who would work on her physiotherapy on days that she feels she is well enough to do so. Today, she can spend longer hours outside and is more confident of making trips out on her own. However, crowds still pose a threat as she continues to fear of losing balance when pushed.
Other solutions to address slipped disc may have been available since then, as my mother’s case occurred quite some time ago. However, one should bear in mind that there are always pros and cons to a surgery. It can take away the immediate pain. However doctors are not Gods, they will not be able to fix you up to how you were originally. The success of surgery must be coupled with long-term physiotherapy and adequate rest. With such occurrences differing from case to case, it is vital that the patient accepts the reality that his/her body may not be the same as before. Careful considerations should be made. Do weigh the consequences thoroughly.