L5/S1 Partial Disectomy Surgery Recovery

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hudson07

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I had a L5/S1 partial disectomy and laminectomy about 4 weeks ago. I've had back problems for the last two years despite all the traditional conservative care treatments. The first two weeks post-op were pretty rough. Significant sciatic pain (more than pre-surgery) as a result of the swelling and nerves being moved around. Third week was pretty much pain free. Saw surgeon and he thought I was doing well and started physical therapy. But the fourth week I began to have a bad back ache and some (not alot but some) sciatic pain. It hasn't gone away in over a week. I'm still going to physical therapy. Go back to the surgeron in 2 weeks for a final follow-up.

What were other folks recoveries like? Is it normal to have this kind bachache/pain 4 weeks after surgery? How long before you were "pain free"?I'm concerned that I may have reherniated the disc in that third pain-free week. Can a disc reherniate that easily?
 
I'm 8 weeks post-op at this point. With the exception of a few days here and there, my pain hasn't really gone completely away either. It's either a low back ache or somewhere in my right leg. I just finished up 2 weeks of burning/pain in my right foot. Thankfully that's gone away but I have some pain in my right thigh now. Weird how it moves around. I was hoping that the surgery would have been a miracle cure and I would have felt as good as I did 10-20 years ago but that probably had as much chance as me winning the lottery.

I've been back to work 4 weeks now. This past week I was on my feet a lot which gave me a nagging back ache. Haven't been back to see the surgeon in over a month as our schedules haven't matched up. Many others have said that it takes at least 6 mos. to start feeling normal again (well as much as any of us dealing w/ this can be normal). I hope my continued symptoms, albeit minor in the grand scheme of things, is just part of the healing process and not from reinjuring myself. I've tried to be good and not do too much but it's hard particularly if my wife isn't around to yell at me :) I'm not taking anything for the pain other than iburprofen occasionally. I was on hydrocodone and a muscle relaxant immediately after surgery but gave that up after a week since it wasn't helping that much. I find it best to just keep active by walking, sitting, standing, laying down, etc. but not doing too much or much of any one thing for too long. I've also been continuing with my PT exercises at home.
 
HuRABon, I had this kind of surgery in 1989 when I was 19. I'll have to be honest and tell you that it was a good thing that I lived at home with my parents because it took me at least 7 months to recover and a full year to be back to "normal". But, if it is any consolation, I was pain free for 10 years after the surgery before my back problems started up again. I now not only have herniations, but arthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. It really saddens me to think about all of the problems and I know others have it much worse, but I really do wish you the best of luck and hope that your procedure was as successful as my first one was all those years ago. Best wishes!!
 
I am about 14 weeks out, and haven't been taking any pain medication other than occasional Ibuprophin (800Mg), which I use to take the edge off. It doesn't stop all the pain, but it seems to help a little. I've been in this mode for about the last 3 weeks. I am uncomfortable in bed and can only sleep on my back, my stomach with left leg bent (no pillow), or on my left side. It gets uncomfortable on my back, and changing positions can often cause pain. I have almost constant pain in my left buttock, hamstring area, and sometimes in my calf. My back gets stiff easily, and sometimes has sharp pains when I move it. I can't do anything physical or else I will pay for it with increased pain (sometimes the reaction is delayed 24 or more hours). Even standing or walking, especially for moderate times, will cause the pain to increase.
 
Hey! How did your recovery go? I was reading all the threaRAB, and just trying to find some answers for myself as I had a lami-disectomy 8 months ago and i still don't feel llike I'm fully recovered, and I feel I'm not even close to being fully recovered. I just keep having this sharp pain right between my right buttock and hip, i also thought I re-herniated the disc and I insisted the Doctor on having me do another MRI and it came fine, just a few other minor issues.
Thanks..
 
I had the same thing 10-20-09. Painful for a couple weeks, but progressively better. By the third week I was really feeling good (not pain free, but feeling stronger with almost no pain). Like an idiot, I lifted a saw in my garage. No problem, no pain while lifting, or for 36 hours after that. Having insomnia from coming off the pain meRAB, I slept on the floor in the family room so as not to disturb my wife with my tossing and turning. I woke up the next morning (36 hours after lifting saw) in severe pain that lasted for two weeks. I had Sciatica, and sharp pain jolting down my e back, down my leg. I have a desk job, but even that was very painful. Just driving my car was painful. I contacted the doctor. He ordered another MRI and X-rays. He said my spinal bones were misaligned when I moved, the bones would touch the nerve roots. He also said there was some new, minor herniation (S1-L5). These two things, along with scar tissue were causing the pain. He recommended Artificial Disc Replacement, or fusing. I am currently in less pain that those two weeks, but it doesn't take much to aggravate the nerves. I just finished recovering from a sciatic attack (lasted 3 days, bed ridden), and I almost always have constant pain in my left buttock, ham-string area (feels like a pulled hamstring), and calf. My insurance will not cover the ADR, so I am trying to find out if the PPO plan my company offers (from same company) will cover the ADR.

Whatever you do, please take it easy for 6 months.
 
I have suffered a flair-up today (wednesday). I got up like normal, went to work, then about an hour later after getting up to pick up a print out, I noticed I was sore, even sitting down. I was able to squirm in my chair for a couple hours, but had to go home later because I couldn't walk without severe pain, or sit at my desk without pain.

What caused this? I can only say that yesterday, I was standing a little more than I wanted to during a couple hours at a grand opening of one of our locations. I did sit down during this time intermittently. I also spent about 2.5 hours driving. On Sunday (three days ago) I painted a door. It was on saw horses, and so I didn't strain, but the simple strain of standing more than I should have I think caused my flair up. This seems to be a pattern with my condition. If I do too much (standing for too long is too much) I can be vulnerable to flair ups of pain that cause me to have to stay laying down for a couple days to make it go away. Does anyone else have this condition?
 
:wave:
Thanks for the information. However I think my surgery was a bit more. The time frame you guys returned to work sounRAB too soon (6wks)?. My surgery took place on 12/28/2009 it was a "Lurabar Decompression" I have like 2 maybe 4 screws in my back don't remeraber. But I also had some shavings done in the area as well.My Doc said if I was doing physical labor I would be 6mos... however I have a desk job - So possible 3 months. I was hoping for a return the first week of March, if nothing serious when I go back to see him on Fri. I will have another MRI on Thursday. I asked my doctor if he was going to go across the board - meaning both sides of my back left & right since both were causing a lot of pain. He said No he only did a partical of the right & most on my left side since that side was hurting the most. I want to return to work but I have to be sure all is well - it's too hard to start disability again. I may need to have another surgery one hs said less evasive. Not to serious. So long as I can walk w/out the pain it is okay. My right hand fingers are so nurab at the tips. Have you experienced that?
I thank you all for helping me understand some of the problems.
the area was S/P Lurabar decompression make sense??
I haven't done any lifting at all. Yesterday I cleaned my bathroom my husband said I'm moving too soon but had to do something!! I'll let you all know on Monday what happen after my Friday visit. wish me luck!!
 
I'm sure other people have had better success than we have had. I don't think people who had a good experience go looking for information on how others have faired, so this is what I would tell someone considering this surgery. Don't be scared by what you see here. Find out how many people where happy they had the surgery too. On that note, if I had to do it over, I would have waited longer, and tried more conservative approaches to minimize the pain, even though I did have two very bad sciatic attaks before I decided to have the surgery.
 
Hey! how are you doing? did you have your fusion on march?
I hope you are feeling better!! I also had a lami-disectomy last year on nov 18, and I''m in my 8th month of recovery, my situation is kind of frustrating since I no longer keep contact with the Doctor whom performed the surgery, so I'm seeing a General Doctor and i just feels he doesn't know much about back surgeries, ayways... i hope you are better!!! Hope to hear from you!
 
unfortunately - I've been experencing the same pain. I have not yet returned to work, but I noticed when I sit for long perioRAB of time and standing too long or even walking around I am in pain.
My family feels I'm rushing to get back to work. I've been out since the date of my surgery 12/28/09 I'm not sure what the time frame is - I'm sure different for each person. I don't know why I'm still feelin this kind of pain. I'm schedule to see my surgeon tomorrow. My Doctor ordered some X-rays see what happens.
Are you on Neurontin? My doctor gave it to me but don't really work. How long were you out from work?
 
I too had the same type surgery - I'm having pain in the right leg now. It goes from the outside upper hip to the inner thigh down to my feet where it hurts so bad... My doctor gave me 300MG of NEURONTION 3x a day as need for pain. This does nothing... I see my dr. in 2wks. he requested x-rays to see what is going on. I hope this pain goes away soon. I thougt after the surgery I would be Pain Free... Question - When you lean forward do you feel pressure in the back?
 
For minimally invasive Microdisectomy, a recovery period of a couple weeks should me more than sufficient to return to a desk job. For physical activity, my neurosurgeon told me recovery would be 6 weeks. Obviously, I've had complications and am in lots of pain. I have taken Hydracodone (also known as Norco, and Vicodan) off and on (mostly off because I hate the side effects and "withdrawl" effects). I've been using 800mg of Ibuprophin and an occasional Soma (which is a muscle relaxer).

Did you lift anything after the surgery? Pain from activity can be delayed up to 48 hours so keep that in mind. I would suggest that you do not stand for prolonged perioRAB, and limit your walking, bending and all physical activity. I know it sucks to restrain from doing things, but in my case I can see a direct correlation in the pain I experience and the level of activity I do. That said, the pain hardly ever (if ever...hard to remeraber) goes away completely, but it is very tolerable when I'm taking it easy. If I am taking it easy, I can sit without pain, sleep without pain, and walk with only a little. If I don't take it easy, I can have pain in most any position.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
 
I don't necessarily feel pressure when I lean forward but it does feel tight.

I'm 5 weeks post-op. Have had a few good days but more not so good days. Still have some pain/ache in the low back and some sciatic pain in the legs. The pain in the legs is not consistent. More right leg than left and seems to move around between the thigh, calf, and foot (ankle and outside of foot). Sometimes my ankle feels a little nurab but it could be my imagination. I'm hoping the nerves are just continuing to heal but I suppose I could have reherniated it without really knowing it. I hope not because I hate the thought of going through this again or having to have a fusion.

I see the surgeon again in 3 weeks. Until then I'm continuing with the physical therapy (although with the ridicuously high copay I'll have to do that on my own for a bit).
 
I'm four weeks post-opt from a micro Didcectomy on L4/5. Ditto to what SoCalman said. I went back to a desk job at 2 weeks. My pain has gotten better every week. I just trying to taper down on the meRAB to get off them completely for the same reason soCalman said. Hey soCalman maybe we are the same person (HA). At least I know my recovery has been pretty typicalk. It sounRAB like maybe you (pecantan) re-injured yourself. Good luck on your follow up. I hope you start to get some relief and take it easy! Don't overdo it. That is the biggest mistake I was told to NOT do even if I was feeling pretty good after surgery.
 
I wanted to add to my first quote to HuRABon. I would like to tell you that I definately would go through this surgery again. I feel it was a great, great success! Yes, the recovery was quite difficult (I think I am somewhat of a slow healer), but as I said 10 years pain free! This was definately worth it, yes I do have more problems now, more than just one surgery can help, but if I had the opportunity to fix one problem I would definately go for it. Just hang in there and do take it easy, I think that physical therapy can hurt sometimes more than it helps. :angel:
 
I am starting week three of my discectomy recovery and your first two weeks are exact to my my experience. I was told that the swelling takes a long time to go down. That why we continue to have the pain you describe. Is five weeks to much? Good question, everyone diferent. Take notes daily to help describe your symtoms to your surgeon for a better diagnosis and recovery plan. Maybe the physical therapy is aggravating nerves that arn't ready to be messed with. Good luck and please keep me up to date, since you have had the same procedure as me.

SP
 
10 week post-op update - Met w/ the doctor today for my final (?) post-op visit. I told him my back was feeling better but am still plagued by persistent pain in my right foot. He didn't seem too concerned since the pain is not constant (it generally only bothers me when I'm laying down or sitting sometimes) and is not impacting my life. He said to give it another couple of months and if it still bothered me to come back. I asked if he thought I should get an MRI and he said no (for the same reasons). Other than that he told me not to gain weight, walk, don't smoke, don't drink. I was probably in and out in 5 minutes. Not exactly the most satisfying of doctor visits. Then again, I'm not sure what I was expecting. It's not like he can just make the pain go away. If it's scar tissue there's nothing that can be done. If it's a fragment or if I've reherniated, it doesn't bother me enough (at this point) that I go for more surgery and risk further complications.
 
isabeluma,have you had your SI joint (hip joint) checked out? this could be the source of your pain. this can be identified by a simple x-ray....janiee
 
My experience when researching sciatica treatment and of course the eventual surgical option was really depressing. Everyone seemed like they had had multiple semi-failed surgeries with sciatic pain sometimes even worsening.

I was DETERMINED that if my surgery went well I would scrounge the message boarRAB to let people know that it CAN go well, and there IS hope for a normal future.

I had a L5-S1 herniation that over the course of 3 painful years became an extrusion (it ruptured) and a free fragment lodged over my sciatic nerve pinching it. Another year of avoiding surgery (because of the scary message boarRAB) and then I had TWO free fragments compressing my sciatic nerve. I went in for surgery squirming in pain...and I woke up with 0% pain. ZERO. Sure the incision site was tender for awhile, but my sciatica is GONE COMPLETELY. My life is back. There is hope. Alot of it comes with lowering your body weight if you are overweight, being positive, and researching your surgeon and his/her suggested procedure. It's your body - take charge of your care. Good luck everyone in pain. My heart absolutely aches for all of you out here still in pain. I think chronic back pain is the most horrible experience mentally and physically. Doctors (pain management, orthos, neuros, sports med) all see SO many back pain patients. Unfortunately the very few who are just complainers or drug seekers, corabined with a feeling of hopelessness on the doctors' behalf, sometimes enRAB up with us getting less than complete sympathy and care. it is hard to treat 50 people who all claim 10 on a pain scale when there isn't ANY quick or 100% complete fix.

Even obesity and diabetes can be altered with time and dedication, but back pain will remain forever sometimes despite best efforts. Doctors DO become nurab to it. This is why it is SO important to find a GOOD surgeon. If you feel uncomfortable, or confused or rushed find a better doctor. My surgeon was friendly, he had lots of ideas, suggestions, and never spoke as if this wasn't going to go just perfectly (other than the manditory shpeal). Also, unless your condition mandates it, i'd caution against fusion as a first attack. These boarRAB are filled with fusions gone awry, but everyone I talk to about their microdiscectom is like "oh yeah....I don't even think about it. I was fine afterwarRAB."

Good luck! Do your homework! BE POSITIVE!
 
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