Nov. 8th surgery with Dr. O'Shaughnessy

[JenniferG]

Pam, someone else may be able to help you with what a decompression actually is, but I'm assuming it means he made more room for the nerves so that they aren't being compressed (by bone?) This sounds like a sensible thing to do to try and stop your pain. The screw may also have been perilously close to a nerve, but that's gone now, so fingers crossed he's fixed the problem!

A blood transfusion will pick you up enormously. I had one on Day 2 and it enabled me to stand and walk (the first time, I nearly passed out when they sat me up.)

I hope they can get your pain under control. These first day or two can be horrible. Thinking of you and hoping things will improve quickly for you.

[jrnyc]

hi Pam
internet research shows it is just as Jen wrote...

"Decompression is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves (neural impingement). During a lumbar decompression back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment."

hope you feel better and get some pain relief soon...

jess...& Sparky

[tae_tap]

Praying for you.

Tamena

[nanut]

Pam
Five months after my Scoliosis Surgery my husband had nerve decompression at L4-L5. We thought of it as a roto rooter of the space surrounding the nerve. It was explained to us that if the nerve is compressed for some time than it takes longer settle down and heal. My husband was in significant pain post op and eventually needed to take neurontin . At exactly 6 weeks the pain left and he has been symptom free since that time. Hang in there and best of luck with this recovery.
Nan
Surgery 7/12/11
T10-L5 fusion with instrumentation

[TwinmomTN]

Pam
Five months after my Scoliosis Surgery my husband had nerve decompression at L4-L5. We thought of it as a roto rooter of the space surrounding the nerve. It was explained to us that if the nerve is compressed for some time than it takes longer settle down and heal. My husband was in significant pain post op and eventually needed to take neurontin . At exactly 6 weeks the pain left and he has been symptom free since that time. Hang in there and best of luck with this recovery.
Nan
Surgery 7/12/11
T10-L5 fusion with instrumentation

Wow, that gives me some hope then. Thank you!!!

[golfnut]

Pam,
Inspite of feeling lousy now, I think it sounds really positive that the source of your excrutiating pain has been eliminated and you will soon start noticing improvements.

[tennisplayer]

Pam,
My husband, is a physician, and says that a decompression of the nerves is making the opeining where the nerve comes out between vertebrae larger. They usually cut away some of the bone that is pinching the nerve.
Best wishes on your recovery,
Gretchen

[loves to skate]

hi Pam
internet research shows it is just as Jen wrote...

"Decompression is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves (neural impingement). During a lumbar decompression back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment."

hope you feel better and get some pain relief soon...

jess...& Sparky

Jess is exactly correct. I had decompression surgery about two years after my fusion surgery because of residual nerve pain in my right leg. It may have helped a little, but I still have some pain.
Sally