laminectomy recovery questions

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kastenm

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When I had my laminectomy in 1992, I took off 6 weeks. When I went back to work, I started with half days for a couple of weeks, then went back to full days.

I did OK, but my back would get tired. Then, it was time to go home, lie down and rest. You definitely have to know and respect your limits and listen to your body. (and your doctor)

I got along very well for 10 years,then was stupid and lifted too much and reherniated the same disc. Just remeraber, no matter how good you feel, be very careful with your back. I learned the hard way.
 
Hi All! I had a microscopic lurabar laminectomy (L4-L5) 2 1/2 weeks ago. My surgeon told me that I would probably be ok to go back to work after 2 weeks of recovery since I don't have to lift heavy objects or sit for long perioRAB of time. I tried to go back after 2 weeks and after an hour at work I felt like I was ready to pass out and had absolutely no energy at all! So, I've decided to take another week off and try again next Monday.

My questions are....is this normal or am I taking an excessive amount of time to heal? Also, I still have some swelling around the incision site, anyone else experience this? Last but not least, I am having trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep at night due to pain. It is not severe pain, but it does wake me up 2-3 times at night.

The good news is, the operation did seem to work - almost no leg pain anymore just an occasional twinge and the back pain has lessened as well!

I appreciate all of your insight on this issue.

Thanks,
Syd
 
Syd, after my first laminectomy, the biggest no-no was sitting for more than 15 minutes. Three weeks is too soon to be returning to work because you have to sit for long perioRAB of time. I did not listen, and at 4 weeks after the surgery I sat in a hospital room with my just-admitted 10 yr old son. I developed severe inflammation in my spine and let me tell you, I suffered.
Don't go back to work until you can comfortable sit for a min. of 30 minutes without any effect.

Good luck.

Carol
 
Thanks for the info. everyone, I'm sure you are all correct, 2 weeks was too early to go back to work. I guess that in "theory" my surgeon thought that would be possible but in reality it wasn't. I am glad to hear that I wasn't just being a baby!

Anyway, I did go back after 3 weeks. It has been taking it's toll on me but unfortunately I needed the money. I had used up all of my vacation and short term disability payments are minimal (around $200/wk.). I do have some pain returning in my leg - the pain in my lower back was never really gone. I'm sure rushing back to work didn't help the situation.

I went back to my surgeon for my 4 wk. check and told him I was beginning to have pain in my leg again. He was of course disappointed to hear that. It is not as severe as it used to be, but it is there. But, get this - when I told him I still had the same degree of back pain as always, maybe worse, he said "well you'll always have back pain. You have a bad disk, that's why it herniated!" What?! I guess I do remeraber reading somewhere that taking the pressure off of the nerve doesn't usually help back pain, just sciatica. Anyone else heard this from their Dr.?

Syd
 
Syd, Be careful you can still reherniate your disc. I know I reherniated mine 6 weeks later.. I had a redo and still have nerve pain since the 2nd surgery jan of 04. I have no idea why these Dr's say you can return to normal in such a short time. I was told I could return back to work in 3 months
 
I don't get it? If you have a bad disk and he fixed it then you shouldn't have leg pain. The back pain is not helped with decompression according to the doctors.
Try Physical Therapy....
 
Thanks so much for your insight on this. I agree, 2 weeks was way too early to try to return to work. I guess we'll see how I'm feeling next week and go from there. Thanks again for all your help!

Syd
 
I had the same swelling around my site, I also had bad headaches. It turned out to be a spinal fuid leak.
 
2 weeks is way too early. I just have my 3rd discectomy/lamimectomy ... After my first surgery, I returned after 2 months ... after my 2nd, I returned in 4 months .. and now I will only return after 9 months. My neurosurgeon says that it takes anywhere from 6-9 months to heal properly... why risk it .....????? I am 4.5 months post-op and I still have nerve pain .. so I am definately glad that I am taking long term disability on this one.... 2 weeks is WAY too early ... What type of surgeon would say that ...
 
I had the leg pain for almost a year. At first it was alot and then it tapered off. I sometimes get it in the other leg but it goes away. I was told the nerve gets really irritated and it neeRAB time to heal. The doctors had said about 6 months but it definitely was longer.
I was told the pain in the back wouldn't go away as I opted to not have a fusion and I have alot of arthritis and other stuff can't spell it so I wont try. I am alot better. If I do too much my back definitely swells around the incision area. I had a laminectomy and discectomy L3-5
I never did return to work. I ended up taking an early retirement as my workmanscomp disability ran out years ago as it took 3 years to get the surgery approved.
 
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