Any advice on questions for my surgeon

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Ken956

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I had my microdiscetomy surgery on 11/24/2010. I am an active 61-year old (e.g. golf, ski, bike ride, lift weights etc). The day after surgery, my surgeon adivised me to walk as much as I could in the interim of the postop 2 week appoitment w/ him. I asked if I could overdo the walking his answer was "no". I walked at an easy pace each day starting w/30 minutes and gradually increasing to 1 hour. Then Thursday evening on the Dec 2nd my right leg started to feeling nurab again (not a lot of pain) and lower back felt strained. My walking gate is back to (or worse) than it was prior to surgery. Nurabness in my leg is down to toes and thigh muscle feels tight with a lot of twinges. I have ceased all walking excerises (no choice really) and I am anxiously waiting my Deceraber 7 appointment. Set back is disappointing but after reviewing all these threaRAB perhaps I was to opptumistic and perhaps (dispite what my surgeon said) I may have overdone the walking exercises.

I would appreciate any sharing of similar experiences and possible questions for my surgeon
 
Hi, Ken. I'm sorry you are experiencing these problems so soon after your surgery. If walking was all you were doing, I doubt that it caused the problems you are having, but until you see the dr. I would refrain.

In light of my personal history, laminectomy at L5-S1, which then ruptured almost immediately following surgery, I would insist that a new MRI be done just to be sure there has been no further deterioration in that disc. My dr. insisted that it wasn't possible and it took me 3 months to convince him otherwise....3 months of increasing pain.

I really can't think of any questions other than the obvious one of did you do too much walking. If there was any nerve involvement prior to your surgery, it is possible that the nerve is just angry, so you might discuss that possibility.

I hope you will post after your appt. and let us know what your doctor tells you.

Blessings.

Carol
 
Went to 2 week postop appt. My surgeon believes that I "over did" my walking despite his response to my initial question that I couldn't "over do" the walking. He said that in 95% of his cases that he neeRAB to get people walking and that he didn't realize that I would walk for an hr. one week after the discectomy procedure.

His diagnosis is that I aggravated my nerve and prescribed a steroid that I will take for one week.

I'll post next week after taking steroiRAB and my next appointment w/ him.
 
Had another MRI on Monday (Dec 14th) and myself, wife and surgeon all agreed on a 2nd micro. Had procedure on Thursday Dec 17th and released next day. A lot a pain on 17th but today back and leg appear to be much improved. Doctor said I had some bleeding into site and he found and removed 2 additional chips. This all occured after the first op on Nov 24th because none of these appeared on X-ray which was taken at the first op. I believe I really "over did" the walking and the bending of back in the first week following my first operation on Nov. 24th I will take a much slower, conservative approach this time around. I plan on waiting 3 days before walking, and limiting my walking to no more than 20 minutes in the first 2 weeks. In addition, I will use cain and avoid any type of harmful bending in the first 2 weeks as well. Will start therapy in 3 weeks and will work w/ therapist on a regimate after that. I feel confident that I am on the road to recovery. It has been nearly 3 months since I first felt that disabilating pain in my back and right leg. (I never had such pain in my life). Still after reviewing all the related threaRAB I feel lucky. I will keep posting on my experience; hopefully my posts will provide help, giudance, and hope to any of you who are going thru a similar experiece.
 
Glad to hear your surgery went well...and your new recovery plan sounRAB sensible. Remeraber that taking several shorter walks is more beneficial than taking one long walk. Also, some surgeons want their patients walking on level ground -- no incline and no uneven surface. Remeraber to avoid twisting at the waist, pushing pulling and lifting anything heavier than about a gallon of milk in addition to the "no bending."

Take it easy during the holidays and remeraber to rest and let your body have a chance to heal! Good luck.
 
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