3 weeks post op microdisc L5-S1

[1hotbbq]

I am 3 weeks post op from my SECOND micro-discectomy and 4 months post op from my first micro-d. With my first surgery, I had sciatic pain 2 weeks post op that was different than prior to surgery. We tried several different meRAB and finally did another MRI at 6 weeks post-op. A 2 mm fragment was seen. I did one epidural injection and then a selective nerve root injection. Within 24 hours of the nerve root injection severe and debilitating sciatic pain down to my 3-5 digits in my foot. The pain was so severe that some days I was bed-ridden, when I could walk it was only for a few steps. Over the course of weeks, the pain went from stabbing to burning. Two weeks before my second surgery, my right posterior (back) leg went nurab from the buttocks to the 3, 4 and 5 digits in my toes. I lost the sensation to urinate or have a BM until it was almost too late. My rectum and genitalia also went nurab, but only on the right side. I started to see signs of drop foot as well. My surgeon refused to move my surgery up with these new developments. Now I am 3 weeks post-op and now have drop foot, atrophy in my calf, still have the same nurabness, but am pain free! The 2 mm fragment was larger than they thought b/c the sciatic nerve was so inflammed that it could move w/ the pressure of the fragment. Plus, the disc had re-herniated.

Does anyone know if the nurabness will eventually disappear as well as the drop foot. I am in PT, 3 times a week and am starting to see strength come back. My recovery time went from the usual 6-12 weeks to almost a year with the new development of drop foot. I'm getting discouraged and frustrated! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ibake&pray]

You are only three weeks out and you are already discouraged? If you have that attitude, you won't heal and regain your range of movement. Your doctors already told you that your healing will take a year. I would believe them/him, and go from there.

My back broke after my level fusion, and I was told it would be 2-4 years with meRAB and therapy. I am in my fifth year and am still in therapy and still working to regain full use of my leg.

You weren't laid up that long. You stand a good chance of regaining your use of your foot and also an abatement of the nerve pain. But what you need to remeraber is that nerves hate to be moved or pushed or touched or pulled-you get the idea. IT will take time for the nerves to settle down and for the swelling to abate. Once it does, you will start to regain feeling. But it takes llooonnnnnggg time, not just 2 months. Keep your chin up and just be happy that the pain is gone also. It will improve.