The Broken Soldier

Just got back from the neurosurgeon.  He was late for our appointment (again).  MRI confirms the other tests.  MRI also reveals new problems: L3-L5 desiccation.  Fuck.

This started as a ’simple’ lateral disc herniation at L5-S1.  After over a year of neglect, two to three discs are now involved.  As anyone with any understanding of biophysics can tell you, one fucked disc places additional stress and torsion on the others above and below it.  Additional stress can cause desiccation and injury.

More good news.  Because the herniation is so far lateral, the surgery on my spine, tentatively scheduled for 5 June, pending pre-authorization from TriCare, will have to be performed going through my side.  Yes, they’re going to cut through about a foot of Jimison flank to get to my spine.  Cover your eyes darlin’.  Fuck!

If this doesn’t work, which it probably won’t given the severity of desiccation at L5-S1, the doc is talking fusion instead of replacement.  Something of a backpedal.  He said he checked on the types of replacement devices available in Michigan, and they are, according to him, prone to failure.  Though I have reservations about fusion, given that approach creates additional pressure on discs above or below (c.f. above).

But there is good news.  While looking at the gross, in every sense of that word, morphology of my spine and attending structures, the doc said my cauda equina was ‘cute.’  I wasn’t sure what to make of that statement.  But as he’s going to be cutting into me soon I humored him and agreed.