Lower Back Muscle Spasms

[Capt Phil]

Glad you are on the mend, SkiprJohn... the MRI is non-intrusive but if you have any hardware installed like defibrilators or pacemakers, you have to go the meylogram route which is the dye injection into the spinal column process.
Been there, done that and am now on the mend after and L1-L5 fusion. Recovery is 8-12 months with a fair bit of Physical Therapy post surgery then a lot of gym time to get back to optimal health. Success rate is 75-85% which are pretty good odds if you are pretty much permanently disabled without the surgery. Important to have a neurosurgeon perform the procedure rather than a general or orthopedic surgeon because of all the nerve issues involved.
I felt sorry for myself until I got to know a young guy who had lost a leg in Iraq and was learning how to use his new fake leg! Sure put things in perspective for me! Good luck with your continued recovery... Capt Phil

[SkiprJohn]

Let me think. The big circular ring they slide you through is a CAT. And the tube is MRI?
Is that right?
For those of you who have had surgery I truly hope you are on the mend and able to function properly. I'm so thankful I don't need it.
kind regards,

[Capt Phil]

I think you're right but I was so stoned on meds, I don't remember... cheers, Capt Phil

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Let me think. The big circular ring they slide you through is a CAT. And the tube is MRI?
Is that right?
For those of you who have had surgery I truly hope you are on the mend and able to function properly. I'm so thankful I don't need it.
kind regards,

That is correct. There are open MRIs now too but still not as open as the CT donut. Open can do most imaging but you still need the tube for some things where they get a better picture (head). The MRI is also incredibly noisy.

Glad you're on the mend. My dad has struggled since before my time with back problems and as he ages it gets harder for him with arthritis and such. He has said he wishes he never had that first surgery but really didn't have a choice since he was dragging a leg at that point. Don't let it get that far is he moral of the story. SC

[familycruisers]

just to add.
I had a disc replacement.
They did an anterior approach (went through my belly) I had 8 weeks recovery and lost no r.o.m.
The recovery on a disc replacement is much quicker and maintains movement of the joint. Also going through the front reduces recovery time as well by not having to rebuild those cut back muscles.
My doctor has a 98% success rate with the Pro Disc-L (they also have a C disc for the cervical discs) So, in short do some research. If you can get or qualify for a disc replacement, do it. Especially if the other option is a fusion. When fusions are done they put more stress on the discs above and below the fusion, possibly subjecting them to accelerated deterioration. Just some thoughts...