Please forgive me but this is going to be a long post. I've been plagued by back problems since I was in middle school (I'm currently 36, so at least 25 years). Admittedly, some of my ailments are self inflicted, some are genetics, and some are wear and tear. I've had over 70 epidurals, both internal and external tens devices, chiropractors, therapy, nerve blocks, nerve ablations, and finally, lumbar back surgery. I will say this, with the exception of back surgery, the 1 thing that provided the most relief was a $300 teeter inversion table. Although, the box was heavy enough to ensure that, if you didn't have back trouble before, you would by the time you got it in the house. Back to the surgery. 2015. Stepped off the tractor, and somehow 2 discs disintegrated, and a total of 5 more herniated, with 2 being 100% herniated. I lost feeling in one leg, couldn't get stood straight up, and was in excruciating pain. Somehow, my stupid self crawled back onto the tractor and tried to finish baling. Thank goodness my wife (then girlfriend) came to check on me. She took me to urgent care. They did X-rays and ct scans. Gave me steroids and painkillers. Referred me to the brain and spine clinic. They called before 8:30 the next morning because the Dr saw my images. Was there at 11:00 am. They had me admitted to the hospital by 4:00pm. They put me in restraints until I had surgery because my spinal cord was outside of my vertebral column and I was very close to being paralyzed. Surgery happened next morning at 4:45 am. Took almost 6 hours. Took a bunch of additional discs out, fused pretty much all of my lumbar spine, cut the "fins" off of my vertebrae. Had to put a mesh around everything to hold until scar tissue grew around everything. Couple of days in the hospital and I was walking around and moving better than I had in a long time. Came home with some restrictions for 3 months. I was so excited that I could walk the 1/4 mile to the barn. I went from "I have to walk" to "I GET to walk". It was definitely a rough experience but it truly made me into a different person. I'm pleased with how I turned out. Oddly enough, they don't tell you about how much shorter you'll be when they take your discs out - I went from 6'3" to 5'11". But, I will tell you, I do now have arthritis in my spine. I still have occasional bouts of sciatica. More days than not, I have a constant "toothache" in my back. Now I'm starting to have neck problems. The neurosurgeon that did my back told me in 2015 that my neck would definitely give me trouble, and it's finally happening.
Plus, my wife and I got T-boned by a drunk off duty cop in 2018. The impact shifted the scar tissue that had grown in my lumbar spine, and I have not felt my left leg and foot since. Took me over a year to re-learn how to walk. But, I'm up and going now.
Try walking with a cane when you can. It really does help.
Definitely, if at all possible, try an inversion table. I still use mine, just not daily.
Also, my post op therapy was riding a stationary bike, 5 minutes forward, 10 minutes backwards.
Again, sorry for the long post. I'm glad to answer any questions you have. Good luck to you.
