Scared of reherniation

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storrme

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This is my second post. Sorry for repeating information. I'm up to 2nd discectomy in L5-S1. After 2nd procedure in August felt mildly better, but recently pain with sciatica has become worse. I feel like I'm bothering surgeon by continually complaining, but how likely/frequently do 2nd try discectomys fail? I know the next stop is fusion - ugh.

Is there anything I can do to prevent further damage?
 
Did you have relief from the sciatic pain after the 2nd surgery?

Did you have a flexion/extension X-ray prior to either of your surgeries? I'm just wondering if it might be possible that you have something else going on in addition to the herniated disc. But, first, it is possible to keep reherniating the same disc. I've forgotten now if most surgeons will recommend fusion after the second discectomy or after the third...I think it is the second....

Did you ever do an activity such as gymnastics or diving where your back was in extension (arched back)? A spondylolisthesis, which is an instability where one vertebra slips over the top of the adjacent vertebra...it is most likely to happen at the L5-S1 segment. It can happen slowly over time and the patient is not aware that it is going on. Mine was discovered on a routine X-ray for something else. It often is not picked up on a MRI...the flexion/extension X-ray is the best diagnostic tool for a spondy.
 
Thank you for your reply! I believe I did have the X-Ray at the same time I had my last MRI. I seem to remeraber my doctor telling me that it was in case I needed a fusion. He needed additional information from that MRI; that was about four weeks after the second surgery.

I did have relief from the buttock pain for about two months, though I've never had full sensation in left leg nor left portion of left foot. Doctor told me that could last forever. I suppose I could live with that if the back pain would go away.

I think ultimately I'll have another MRI to check and see what's going on.

Appreciate your thoughts,

Lisa
 
SounRAB reasonable to me! It's hard to imagine you could have reherniated for a third time, but it is a possibility, and your symptoms support that something is going on.

The fact that you had relief for a couple months indicates that the right level was operated on...and that something else was not the pain generator. At least that's how I would interpret that information! ;)
 
You should probably have another MRI to confirm what's going on. The best way to prevent reherniation is to avoid lifting and get exercise especially core strengthening. Sometimes there isn't anything you can do to prevent it, especially if you have degeneration.

I've had two discectomies and most recently a fusion at the same level. My disc herniated three times and they were big ones. If I had it to do over again I would have been at a healthier weight, gained less during pregnancy, exercised more, and been more careful with my lifting (although it's hard with having little kiRAB). The lifting really did it for me. I also have/had Sponylolisthesis and severe degeneration.

Hope you have relief soon!
 
It's possible that there isn't a reherniation, but rather that enough disc was removed to make your spine unstable, causing nerve compression.

Believe me, if your doctor makes you feel that you are "bothering" him (as my first surgeon did), then it is time to find someone new to take over your care. You do need to have a new MRI, maybe even with contrast to find out just exactly what is causing your pain.

If you haven't been overdoing things, haven't lifted anything heavy, etc., then most likely there is a mechanical reason for your pain. Don't wait to insist on getting it checked out or, if you should so decide, to get a second opinion.

I hope you will continue to post and keep us updated on your situation. I do wish you the best of luck.

Carol.........PS. It's been my understanding that following laminectomy or microdiscectomy, fusion is the next step. Please dont let that stop you from being checked out. Perhaps there is something completely unrelated going on.
 
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