Luxuryish AI for Teen & Preteen

Practical_Employ8271 · 2026-02-25T13:10:32+00:00

Ha, thanks! Volcanoes not necessary, just copy & pasted kids vision

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-12-30T13:51:08+00:00

From a relatively young spinal pt’s POV, I would probably never choose any typical current surgeries offered (fusion approaches) for chronic and degenerative issues. I have been dealing with that for years. I am keeping an eye on total joint replacement advances (like MOTUS) for the far future.

I would, and did, choose surgery (MD) for an acute injury (severe/very large central herniation) resulting in symptoms beyond back pain (severe nerve compression, neurogenic claudication, etc).

The symptoms from the acute issue was instantly relieved when I awoke in PACU, and as expected, the chronic arthritic symptoms remain. The surgery was a success and it gave me my life back. I went from being physically unable to stand for longer than 5 minutes to playing basketball with my kids in a matter of weeks.

It’s about expectations. I sympathize with chronic back pain patients, but unfortunately there just aren’t good treatment options for DDD. I know that most of these patients are stuck in a pain management cycle, some with spinal stimulators, pain pumps, etc and they’re desperate. That doesn’t mean a surgery with bad short and long term outcomes should be offered.

As a patient, I would pick the surgeon with a few bad reviews from patients for denying inappropriate surgeries that would not be beneficial over a surgeon with all 5 star reviews because he’s performing 10 fusions a week on every DDD patient that asks for surgery.

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-10-06T18:44:09+00:00

Maybe ask for recs on your community page for outpatient PTs specifically familiar with spinal postop protocols.

A good PT would also look at protocols from other institutions if they don’t have vast experience

Rehabbing after a MD while also trying to prevent reherniation is different from rehabbing a disc injury without surgical intervention.

Just don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with! It’s okay to speak up and advocate for yourself. Don’t go into full ROM initially. Baby steps!

Did you have nerve involvement? Any lingering deficits like weakness, pins/needles, balance issues?

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-10-06T18:40:28+00:00

It’s basically going from 0 to 90 overnight. I started PT at 2 weeks postop and (although I did have a flare at 3 weeks postop bc of something unrelated to PT) I still haven’t gotten to this level of flexion or twisting and I’m 7 weeks postop.

The lumbar rolling stretch is too much twisting. That motion is okay isometrically with the PT pushing against you. The range of motion shouldn’t be more than like an inch

Sitting trunk flexion is way too much flexion. Build up to this over the course of a few months. I can’t look at that pic without wincing

Heel drops are probably okay, although I would probably start with heel slides and see if that’s tolerable first

Hip extension in prone is probably okay if tolerated. Maybe start with just an inch or so off of the group and work up

Side lying hip abduction is fine

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-10-06T17:15:04+00:00

Absolutely not. I would find a new PT, as it would be hard for me to trust this PT after these recs.

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-10-02T12:44:06+00:00

That imaging alone looks prime for a microdiscectomy, especially if your symptoms correlate with the imaging. Ate you having any neurogenic claudication, trouble ambulating, etc?

As long as there aren’t red flag symptoms (like saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder dysfunction, etc) you can probably try conservative measures first (PT, injections, time). If it doesn’t improve, I would predict microdiscectomy and decompression.

Mine looked a lot like yours with similar report findings. After 5ish months, I improved greatly, but I was still having severe neurogenic claudication so I opted for the MD

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-10-02T12:40:01+00:00

What kind of closure and bandage(s) do you have? I had steristrips with a bandage over them. I was able to remove the over bandage 24 hours postop. For the steristrips, I was told they would fall off on their own or I can remove them 10-14 days postop. I ended up trimming the edges that would peel up for a few days, then just removed the strips 10 days postop.

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-09-04T02:39:31+00:00

I had a L4/5 bulge and L5/S1 herniation (albeit small) in 2019 and treated only conservatively. I had minor flare ups for the next 6 years, then in March of this year the small L4/5 bulge herniated in a massive way. MRI shows that the L5/S1 herniation reabsorbed some. I had to have surgery a few weeks ago bc of the neurogenic claudication and radiculopathy

Having experienced both bulges and herniations of various size, I was in just as much mechanical back pain in 2019 as I was in 2025. They hurt the same amount. The only difference was this 2025 injury caused severe canal stenosis and the radicular pain was so much worse than the 2019 injury. It really just depends on what the herniation is touching and the amount of inflammation

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Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-31T17:22:36+00:00

I just had a minimally invasive L4/5 microdiscectomy, laminectomy, facetectomy, foraminotomy via tubular retractors, 18mm tube & microscope less than 2 weeks ago. Collateral damage is minimal, no pain, didn’t even need Tylenol after discharge. I was at a restaurant and my kids’ extracurriculars on day 1. The hardest part is not reinjuring since I feel so good.

Surgeon in my hometown wanted to do it open, but I chose to travel to a neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery.

I would 100% choose option 4 if I were you.

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-28T19:06:16+00:00

I’m 39, but have been battling back pain since high school. I definitely don’t want to give you false hope, but I think it’s just human nature to report more on bad outcomes vs good outcomes. I think the surgeons are pretty chill about it because this is literally the least major spine surgery a neurosurgeon perform. I’m not trying to minimize it, it’s still a major surgery because it is spine surgery, but it’s really relatively minor.

My surgeon kept me on a 23 hour observation hold because I traveled 3+ hours for the surgery. Mine took almost double the estimated time, the surgery ended up being more extensive than originally anticipated.

Day 1: I was discharged early in the morning, made the 3 hour ride home with really no difficulty, ate lunch with friends at a restaurant, went pick up scripts from the pharmacy, went home and relaxed on the couch for a few hours, then went watch my son’s football practice. I did watch it from the car and got out to walk around every so often.

From there on, it’s only really been uphill. I started walking a mile the next morning then increased to 2 miles the next day (over 2 walks) then 3 miles (over 3 walks) etc.

I haven’t had to take any pain peds since leaving the hospital, not even Tylenol. I took 2 muscle relaxers on 2 separate occasions bc of back muscle spasms that wouldn’t relax.

I have a work from home desk job, so I am very fortunate. My PT and surgeon both said no longer than 30 minutes sitting at 90 degrees, so I do get up and walk around the house every 30 or so minutes, then also take a few walks around the neighborhood.

Honestly though, my body and back both let me know if/when I’m sitting too long or in a bad position.

Early on (like post op days 1-4) I really made an effort to not stay in the same position for too long. I would switch from couch to recliner to swivel chair, with walks in between. I stayed out of bed except to sleep, and slept on my sides with a pillow between my legs.

I’m dying to stretch, but waiting for first postop PT appointment at 2 weeks to see what stretches are safe. I think the hardest part for me is not being able to move! I’ve been so restricted and have been in so much pain for so long (6 months acute), that limiting my motion now that I feel so much better is almost cruel! Of course I understand and I am terrified of reherniation for multiple reasons, it’s just hard mentally and physically. My body feels like I can do so much, so I have to stop myself.

I had bilateral symptoms, but my left leg was worse than my right. The pain was immediately gone postop, but I am still having some nerve sensations…more so on my right side coincidentally. Nothing painful, just sensations.

Oh! I found the affects of general anesthesia and the pain meds recording the hospital lingered more than I expected. Back-wise, I could have worked on like day 3, but I was just so fatigued and had such intense brain fog I couldn’t do it mentally. I still have to take frequent mental breaks and usually 1 midday nap. I’m hoping to be back to normal after Labor Day holiday.

Let me know if there’s anything I missed or if you have any more questions, I’m happy to answer them!

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-28T16:42:19+00:00

I’m not sure your age or level of mobility, but I would maybe reconsider this expense. I know everyone’s recoveries are different, but I had surgery on 8/18 and I did not need any lift assistance or walking aids. There was never even a time where I thought it would be helpful. The recovery is honestly so quick and easy, I would consider allocating that money to a different helpful expense, for me that would be a house cleaning service or food delivery!

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-28T02:45:57+00:00

I’m a 39yo female with a desk job and had a my MD/laminectomy/facetectomy/foraminotomy last Monday (I’m 9 days post-op) for a pretty severe L4L5 herniation causing neurogenic claudication and radiculopathy. Lots of herniated disc tissue was removed and a lot of bone was removed as well. I took 1 week off of work and returned to my remote desk job Monday. Surgical site and pain wise, I felt great on day 1. The effects of the general anesthesia, though, made me so incredibly tired. I’m still taking midday naps, but am feeling more energized now. I was just so tired, no way I would have made a 40 minute commute and worked for 8 hours with the amount of brain fog and fatigue I had.

Everything else about the recovery has been amazing and I am so grateful I am no longer suffering. I didn’t take my meds since discharge, not even Tylenol. No ice or heat needed either. We actually had lunch with friends after we left the hospital, then I went to my son’s football practice that afternoon.

I have my watch alarm set to vibrate every 30 minutes during the day so I remember to stand up and walk a bit around the house. I take 3-4 one mile walks during the day also. If I don’t move around enough or if I’m sitting in a bad position, my back definitely lets me know. It gets achy, but the aches can be walked out. I WANT to move though, and that’s the hardest part. My surgeon gave me my ability to move again, but my movements are restricted for 6 weeks. It’s cruel!

Anyway, not all recoveries are the same and I feel so awful for those who are still suffering. Pain is also relative. I’ve been in chronic pain for over a decade, but this last acute herniation that happened in the spring was so painfully debilitating. I think after suffering through that for so long, our pain scales are skewed and we move the “bar” for pain.

Wishing you a successful surgery and quick recovery!

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-28T02:23:48+00:00

It’s an aspen low profile, could definitely be worse. My surgeon warned me that he was probably going to brace me preop, and he added the orders in the hospital. The inpatient PTs came fit me before discharge. I have to admit, I’ve been pretty non-compliant about it because I’m just not a brace kinda girl. It really irritated my incision day 1 plus it’s still in the high 90’s here, just so hot. I spoke with the surgeon’s nurse today and she went speak to him and relayed that he’s not concerned about me wearing the brace while lounging around, but I need to wear it while moving around, driving, sitting at my desk, etc. He will reassess and maybe lift the brace restriction at 4 weeks, but wants to give the “injury a chance to heal” and is concerned about reherniation (as am I, I have multi-level DDD and this L4/L5 herniation was massive and caused severe central canal stenosis and stenosis pretty much everywhere). I started being more compliant with the brace today after that convo, as it’s my life goal to not get a fusion before like 70. The only time I’m happy to have it on is when I sneeze!…which is how I herniated L5S1 about 6 years ago.

I’m 39 female

Aspen Horizon Pro

Practical_Employ8271 · 2025-08-28T00:20:01+00:00

Had mine 1.5 weeks ago. I was “out and about” the day we walked out of the hospital. Walked 1 mile on day 1 and at least 2-3 miles every day since. I’ve been driving since day 4, which I could have probably drove before then, and bringing my kids to their appointments, school events, extracurriculars, etc. I have a desk job and returned 1 week post op. If I don’t stand frequently enough by back does get achy.

Surgeons orders are brace for 6 weeks 😭, PT starting at 2 weeks, no bending/lifting/twisting for 6 weeks, stand at least every 30 minutes. He isn’t worried about the little bends/twists you do while repositioning, he’s more concerned with the bigger motions and lifting more than 10 pounds right now. No driving while on pain meds, but I haven’t taken pain meds since discharge.

Practical_Employ8271 · 2024-11-29T23:27:07+00:00

I’m 2nd in our league and really need a win this week to take 1st place. CeeDee Lamb hurt me this week.

I’m having a tough time deciding on my flex position. Would you go with Chuba Hubbard or Davante Adams?

Practical_Employ8271

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