Medical Malpractice

I am looking for someone, who has had, recent back surgery ( a spinal fusion).?

I have heard a lot of horror stories with back surgeries. I have already met with one doctor, and I am getting a second opinion within the month. How long after the surgery were you able to drive, go back to work.? Currently, I am out of Loyola in Maywood, which is a great hospital. Can someone please, recommend me to a good neurologist at one of the better Chicago Hospitals. Rush, Northwestern Memorial, University of Chicago. Thanks, Barb

Public Comments

1. can't help on the Chicago stuff, but i did have a lumbar spinal fusion about 8 months ago. My L5 and S1 discs were herniated and were causing a lot of pain, not to mention the loss of my right leg. I live in the Baltimore, MD area and went to an orthopedic spine specialist that works out of Baltimore Washington Medical Center, they are affiliated with The University Of Maryland Medical System. I went in for surgery on November 5, 2009, it took about 8 hours, my S1 disc was completely herniated and out of place, it was there for so long it had begun to calcify, I don't remember to much until about 4am the next day, not that it did me much good, the drugs and the last of the anesthesia made my vision a little blurry so I gave up trying to watch tv, and just put on my ipod and went back to sleep. The pain after surgery was completely different then the pain before surgery. I was on a pain pump, I could hit the little button and get a measured dose of pain meds every 8 minutes. They had me up and walking, with a walker, the day after surgery, I went home after spending 2 nights in the hospital. I had to wear a back brace for 3 months when I was doing anything besides laying in bed or showering. I'm a fat girl, so I had a hard time reaching certain areas, but my husband helped me with that. I was not aloud to drive my car for at least a month. I drive a school bus for a living so the doctor kept me off of work for 3 months, just because of all the bouncing and jostling I get on the bus. I used a walker for about 2 weeks, then just because of how small my house is I used 2 canes for about a month after that, I used a cane for 3 months more or less. I still have the cane, I have to use it once in awhile if I over use my back muscles, but I only use it to get up. I can walk just fine. I still have muscle pain, but the pain I get now is easily controlled with a couple of Tylenol. I have 2 bone grafts with metal cages and 6 screws in my lower back. I don't know exactly what you have wrong, but I will say this, despite the pain I endured during recovery, this was the best decision I made in regards to my back. If I could go back in time and not injure myself that would be great, otherwise I have no regrets. I still can't really bend, and I'm slow when I first get up, but I regained all the feeling and use of my right leg again, I'm not in constant pain, and I no longer need prescription pain pills. My surgery did more then I could have ever hoped for. I'm still rehabbing, it can take up to 2 years to fully recover, but if you are suffering the way I was,I cried myself to sleep many times, even on percocet, then the surgery is worth it. I wish you the best of luck and a quick recovery and freedom from pain. Good luck to you.