where is gpk......

[GPK]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Kind words? I had no kind words - don't lump me in with the rest of these "nice" folks.

Since you're delaying until November, we'll be seeing you at Colonial...

I'm hoping so John. The only definite day for me right now is the handicapping contest on July 8th. I know we have our club championship on the 15th of July (VA Derby Day) and I will have to do some serious reworking of the schedule to get there. If unable to make that day, we will meet up another day no doubt.

GPK:

How old are you? The younger you are the more I would want a 2nd opinion on the need for surgery. Back surgeries have a high success rate the first time but if the problem recurs 25-30 years down the line (which they can if this is a degenerative issue) you are in a world of hurt.

No knock on your neuro who I'm sure is a fine doctor but he makes his nut doing surgeries. If you are in your 30's or younger get another opinion.

I assume from your post you have not taken any significant time off from swinging clubs to rest the back? You must have done the PT thing already if they are already recommending surgery. No joke but these things can clear up by themselves with time and w/o surgery in some cases. Bedrest and back strengthening exercises.

How large is the disc bulge? L5-S1 or another level?

[GPK]

Originally Posted by chromer

GPK:

How old are you? The younger you are the more I would want a 2nd opinion on the need for surgery. Back surgeries have a high success rate the first time but if the problem recurs 25-30 years down the line (which they can if this is a degenerative issue) you are in a world of hurt.

No knock on your neuro who I'm sure is a fine doctor but he makes his nut doing surgeries. If you are in your 30's or younger get another opinion.

I assume from your post you have not taken any significant time off from swinging clubs to rest the back? You must have done the PT thing already if they are already recommending surgery. No joke but these things can clear up by themselves with time and w/o surgery in some cases. Bedrest and back strengthening exercises.

How large is the disc bulge? L5-S1 or another level?

Chromer, I will be 34 at the end of this year. I have taken significant time from golf. I played 2 times in all of 2005 and MAYBE 5 times this year. I had an MRI done 3 weeks ago and was able to see the results of that yesterday. The L5 disk is basically shot. The jelly like fluid that is found in the disks has leaked out of that disk and is resting on my spine and the nerves of my spine. If it was something other than that, I could see not having surgery, but its clear from looking at the xray that the fluid needs to be removed from around my spine.

Good Luck then.

A ruptured disc is no fun. The surgery will do the trick. Once they have removed the material impinging on your nerves you'll feel a lot better.

Just understand that as we age discs continue to degenerate. You'll have a lot less material seperating your L5 (bottom of the lumbar spine) from your S1 (top of the sacral spine).

Surgery at your age should really be the last option. Sounds like that is unfortunatly the case. Like I said though, it'll do the trick.