L5/S1 Partial Disectomy Surgery Recovery

  • Thread starter Thread starter hudson07
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Update for those following along... Now six weeks post-op. Nagging back ache is gone but foot pain (sciatic) has returned. Generally only hurts when laying down and is quite uncomfortable. Continuing with the physical therapy myself (at-home exercises). Also working full-time again. Sitting has gotten much better for the most part. Try and get up and walk around every half-hour or so with 3 longer walks during the day. Follow-up doctor's appointment in 2 weeks.
 
Thanks, That's exactly what I wanted to hear, i think that only the people who's surgury went bad, or who are having trouble are going to be on these boarRAB telling their story. I'm not saying that's bad, that's just the way it is, and I think I alluded to such speculation I was having about that in my original post.

UPDATE ON MY condition is that I can do most things, but then I get sore easily. I don't do much high impact movements, althought I can jog to my car, shoot a few baskets, but I don't do those kinRAB of movements for a cardiovascular workout because I think it will make my back hurt a lot. I'm not as good as I was before my microdiscectomy, but I am still only 10 months out from the surgury. I seem to loose my balance more now, but I'm not sure if that is my sciatic nerve or not. I suspect it is definately partially attributable to that. My last MRI, 3 months after surgury indicated some additional herniation. In the ADR denial letters I got from the insurance company, once of the doctors recommended another Microdiscectomy to remove the additional herniation. I do now agree with the majority of those doctors opinions in the denial that ARD was not the correct move at that time. I will not let them do ARD unless I was really bad, and I am not keen on fusion either. If I don't get another MDE, then I am hoping for stem cell therapies to be the answer some day. I'm 47, I'd like to get back where I can exercise. Does anyone think that is still possible for me???

Thanks all.
 
HuRABon,
Thank you for the update. I am 3 weeks post-op from a L4/5 micro-discectomy and I am having a similiar experience as you with my recovery. It was comforting to know you were having the same issues. It made me not freak out so much. Thanks and good luck!!!
Sookiepooka
 
I am post op 5 months now from a laminectomy. discetomy well I continuosly complained to my surgeon that the only difference I now have is an incision in my back. He did not understand this and as to why I was constantly complaining so he decided to send me to a Pain Management doctor who in turn stated that he would make me feel better by prescribing 3 lower lurabar injections 2 wks apart of course. Well January 26, 2010, was my last lower lurabar injection and still suffering from the dull lower back pain, and sciatic nerve pressure in both of my legs moreso on the right side in which I had my operation. Well at this point I went back to see my surgeon to inform him that I still feel the same. So he decided to send me for another MRI and Xrays for he had grown concerned. Well after a couple of weeks of having all the requested exams I then returned to my surgeon where he stated that he was glad he had the Xrays with the 10 pound weights involved because they showed spondylothesis presence in which he stated that he did not think a fusion would be necessary when he did the first surgery lam/dis but now he sees that I have disk slippage of the vertebrae and he neeRAB to go in a insert a cushion and fuse the spine. So if you are going through after surgery suffering the sciatic nerve pressure which in it self is nerve wrecking suggest to your doctor an Xray. I am due to have a spinal fusion on 3/25/2010, please keep me in your prayers.
 
Hi huRABon7, I'm sorry to hear still no releif... I saw my surgen on 3/2, he'd had me to do a MRI w/contrast & it showed nothing, he said the pain I was feeling was only inflamation. He was correct!! b/c now I'm feeling much better. When it rains I get pain in the area that was treated with a nerve blockage. I swear it feels like someone is stabbing me with a dagger or something. But I hope you get some releif soon.
It's been great chatting with you. I return back to work the 29th of this month :) I'm so happy - As I've been telling my co-workers that it's no Fun being under "House Arrest" b/c that is how I felt. My husband didn't allow me to do anything or go anywhere if he or my oldest daughter was not there.
My surgen gave me a good report on my healing... I just could not be still. I had to clean or dust something 3 months is a long time.

I wish you a speedy recover & Feel Better Real soon!
 
I've had a few lurabar MRI's and X-rays, is that what you are talking about?
Thakn you!
 
I want to add myself to the list of people who are very happy with surgery.

5 years ago I had a microdiscectomy l4-5. It was a terrific success but I screwed up big time in one area. I didn't exercise enough. Then about 4 months ago I decided to run a mile. Boom! 2 months later the old familiar, debilitating nerve pain was back.

I didn't even screw around with alternative therapy. Got an MRI, went to my original surgeon (Dr. Bassewitz in las vegas). I had a new herniation l5-s1. The surgery took place on July 26 and I feel nearly perfect. There is ZERO pain. I still have a ways to go in terms of being able to flex my calf and stand on my toes, but there is ZERO pain! I was taking 10 to 15 10mg percocet each day for one month prior to the surgery. Even then I couldn't walk 5 steps without agony. Now, of course, no pain meRAB are necessary at all.

Anyway, I know it's not like this for everyone. But for those of you coming to these boarRAB because you're afraid, I say do your research. Find a GOOD surgeon. Get multiple opinions, but realize that seemingly magical success is possible. And for those of you who have had this surgery, don't screw it up. Make your core as strong as you possibly can. I doubt I would have needed the second procedure had I followed that advice.
 
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