Lumbar spine decompression surgery

[Blackcats7]

Has anybody had this done? If so what was your experience like and did it help?
I am severely disabled with stenosis affecting one leg and the other leg needs a hip replacement. My back is extremely painful. I can't stand or sit without pain and can barely walk even with aids.
About to try an injection which apparently should/could help nerve pain and numbness in my leg but won't help my actual back. Am told I will then need to discuss the possibility of spinal decompression surgery after that.
Feeling scared but life is so bad I know I need to try something.

My dads just had this done, not been done long enough to know the long term affects but he’s already walking a lot straighter and better and says he has a lot more feeling in his legs xx

Both myself and my (very unlucky at her age!!) teen DD have had this done. Recovery was fantastic for both of us, DD in particular was back to comfortably walking the dog within a day or two. As soon as she woke up from surgery the leg pain was completely gone and never returned. I wasn’t so lucky and did need further surgery down the line, however it did buy me a few years of less pain before needing something more extensive done (spinal fusion).

You do need to be aware though that it’s not a procedure to help back pain whatsoever - the consultants make this really clear. You actually run more of a risk of worsening any back pain than anything. The surgery is only to decompress the nerves and therefore help with the leg pain.

Thank you both.
The team has now told me that the injection will only help my leg (if anything) but actual spinal decompression surgery involving removing a bit of bone should help my back pain. Have just watched a video link they sent me and it said 70% of patients get a good improvement in their pain and mobility. 1% chance of being paralysed.
I suppose I will have to play the odds.

DH had this done five years ago. Despite the surgery and a long recovery, he still has leg and back pain and relies on a TENS machine to enable him to function.

We were led to believe that the surgery would take him out of pain, but this just didn't happen.

Hi i had spinal fusion l5 s1 surgery September last year I had severe back pain and my left leg had compressed nerve wich I use to loose feeling in my leg surgery went well stayed in hospital for 4 days due to low blood pressure however week later I needed up with severe nerve pain in the same foot I had the surgery in and a year on nearly it’s still ther so think I had permanent nerve damage I am on pregabalin my leg is absolutely fine and my back pain had gone for about 8 months I felt brilliant but only recently my lower back pain has started again so I really don’t have much advise just wanted to share my story with you hope it all goes well any questions just message me x

How long did people wait for the surgery please? My dad is the same as you OP and on a “waiting list” for surgery! Hopefully sooner rather than later, so sad watching him suffer and be a shell of himself compared to 6/7 months ago