Microdisectomy

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rpisani115

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I have a herniated disc L-5/S-1. Its been two months of conservative treatment. The sciatica down my left leg has diminished but is still slightly there. I can walk fine, even workout still. I ride the bike and do light weight training. The pain shoots down my left leg to my thigh, especially in the morning. In the afternoon and evening its very minimal. I am at the point where I need to decide on surgery. I am considering it but have read some complaints and am having second thoughts. Any input would be great? Is it worth the risk to have no sciatica? Or should I just deal with what I have? Thanx! Bobby
 
Hi Bobby and welcome!
I had a laminectomy on L5-S1 in June 07 and I am really no better. In fact if you ask me today (pain is significant) I would say I may be a little worse.
My opinion is that if you are able to function as well as you have said and the nerve pain down you leg is minimal as you said.....I would wait it out for a while. If your nerve pain gets significantly worse then you need to evaluate again. Worsening nerve pain is indicative of nerve compression and nerve compression over a period of time MAY lead to permanent nerve damage. You may need a microdiscectomy at some point or the herniation may resolve on its own. It is very individualized. On the other hand...many, many patients have wonderful results with the surgery. They are the ones not on this back board, but out carrying on with their active lives!! So my non medical advice is this.....if the pain is not worsening or actually getting better, you are able to function well although maybe not quite normally, and you aren't having to take increasing pain meRAB....I would definitely wait and see what happens. Like I said any worsening will warrant another evalutaion on the part of you and your surgeon. Good luck to you, back pain is the pits. Keep us posted!

Deb
 
Bobby,

I was like you 2 years ago with that endless pain, sleepless night, and all. I decided to go throug with Micro-D. It worked out fine and I was able to go back to normal life with almost painless after the surgery. I had some discomfort now and then when I lift something very heavy but anything lighter than 20lbs is ok.

It's up to you because I know you are holding with pain for like two months so far. Can you live with the pain any lonnger.

I had a lot opinions from people telling me to go for the surgery good and bad and decided it was good decision to for the surgery because I couuldn't handle it after 12 or so months with sciatica. Yeah that is my story.
 
Hi, I had sciatic a for about a year before I had the discectomy L5/S1. I had a great outcome. About 8 weeks out I felt great. It is your decision and its one that you will have to live with no matter what the outcome. I agree with Deb53 that you should wait until it really effects your quality of life or the pain is not managable. I ended up having a fusion 6 weeks ago, 2 years after the discectomy, and am having nerve pain problems. I worked out alot with a peronal trainer and am wondering if I over did it causing the disc to degnerate completely away. If you have the surgery be very careful not to over do your exercising like I did.
I felt so much better I don' think I took care of my back the way I should of. All of us spineys are faced with the surgery decision once or unfortunatly several times. Good luck in whatever you decide..................Debbie
 
Hi, I absolutely agree with the previous posters. Only you can make this decision because only you know how bad the pain is. If the pain is unbearable, I highly recommend that you have at least 2 consultations from surgeons. If they both agree with the decision to proceed with the same surgery and you are ready go ahead with it; however, if they disagree, I recommend obtaining a 3rd consultation to break the tie so to speak.

As the other posters have said, no surgery goes without the risk of complications. Think about it -- an routine appendectomy can have a complication. Unfortunately, it happens to the best surgeons.

Also remeraber that on this board on and on any board, you will find that the individuals who have had successful surgery are not posting here. They are out there enjoying their life to the fullest. Can you blame them? J

Try and keep it in perspective that yes there are many successful surgeries but yes there are surgeries that have complications too. Some cases are more complex then other cases and are less likely to succeed from the get go.

Personally, I suffer from the wrath of nerve pain and it is extremely painful and I would not wish it on my enemy. You have to search your heart and do what is right for you and your situation. If I could have another surgery, that would take away my pain. I would try it in heart beat.

Good luck and remeraber that we are here for you to chat anytime you need it.
 
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