Stumbled across this blog of someone who has successfully recovered from a microdiscectomy. It's useful to relate to some of the post op aches and pains and know that it is normal. It's the best one I've come across and quite like the light hearted nature. Best of all it was a success!
It's a bit confusing to navigate as there are lots of other topics he's writing about but if you click on March 2013 in the archives list on the right and scroll to the bottom of the page and work your way up. Then when you get to the top select the next month.
[url]Top of the bell curve: March 2013[/url]
Hi Hugh
Yes I skimmed through the relevant bits last night and as you say some interesting bits. I particularly liked the pictures of the operation site. Know now what it looks like.
However, that said I find what he has got up to in the first fortnight a little alarming. OK he feels fine he says, but I think the instructions to build up gradually and for sitting to do little (or in the case of some surgeons instructions) virtually none except for the bathroom for the first fortnight are there for a reason. I think although they do not keep you in long it is still a fairly serious op in that if you overdo things too quickly you could well get slippage. Anyway to each his own. Must admit a two hour pub lunch and a trip to a football match are not on my agenda anyway early on.
But thanks for passing it on. There are some very useful comments in it. Particularly interesting for me was the bladder comment as for a while I have had a lot of problems - frequency and a little leakage - which I know ( from experience) are not infections but also feel they are not the dreaded EC as bowels OK and no numbness in that area. It made me fairly hopeful.
Hope the journey back home was OK and lovely to be back with your wife and son.
Just be careful he does not get behind you and hit you in your back!!!
Angela
Hi Angela,
Yes I certainly would not advocate copying his recovery routine. Everyones situation and recovery will be different so your neurosurgeon and physios are best placed to advise on your own specific situation. That said it was just nice to read a rather light hearted successful recovery story.
I finally returned home yesterday after almost 2 weeks recovering at my parents. It took about 40 mins in the car so we stopped after 20 mins so I could get up and walk about. The journey wasn't too uncomfortable but I did have a few twinges afterwards but nothing too serious. It's great to be home with my wife and wee boy and I think phsycologically it will help with my recovery. My 1 year old boy was so happy to see me I'm not ashamed to admit it bought a tear to my eyes.
Nice to know someone read it but...
It is nice to know someone read my blog and if it proved useful in any way that is great.
Modern thinking on recovery from this surgery (and indeed many forms of surgery) is that you want to try to resume normal movement as soon as possible. That doesn't mean you should overdo it. But if you lie/sit and do nothing for two weeks you run the risk of your body healing incorrectly. By introducing normal movement as early as possible your body will heal accounting for the normal range of movement. I have heard this directly from the Professor of Anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons, as well as from my neurosurgeon. You need to build it up gradually, everyone will have a different tolerance level, and your body will soon tell you if you have overdone it..
The Royal College of Surgeons provides this guidance:
[DLMURL="http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patients/get-well-soon/discectomy/what-to-expect-after-the-operation"]What to expect after the operation — The Royal College of Surgeons[/DLMURL]
Their 3 Golden rules for a speedy recovery are:
- Stay active
- Keep a normal daily routine
- Keep social contact with people
The Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford agrees, saying you can start exercising the day after the operation: http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files%5C100720laminectomy.pdf
Addenbrookes says to start with short walks and build up
http://www.cuh.org.uk/cms/sites/default/files/publications/PIN0546_lumbar_microdiscectomy.pdf
From my experience, the walking etc that I did was tiring but not risky. I certainly wasn't cavalier about it. Lifting things on the other hand would definitely be something not worth trying until you are having physio and have strengthened your core.
6 months on and I am pain free, moving well, playing squash, and have been umpiring cricket matches since June (5-6 hours on my feet each time). Maybe I got lucky. I had a neurosurgeon at Addenbrookes who is at the top of his field. But I also followed the guidance I was given.
I accept however that individual cases differ, and there may be something about your operation and physiology that means a more cautious approach to rehab is required.
I hope all goes as well for both of you as it has for me.
It is nice to know someone read my blog and if it proved useful in any way that is great.
Modern thinking on recovery from this surgery (and indeed many forms of surgery) is that you want to try to resume normal movement as soon as possible. That doesn't mean you should overdo it. But if you lie/sit and do nothing for two weeks you run the risk of your body healing incorrectly. By introducing normal movement as early as possible your body will heal accounting for the normal range of movement. I have heard this directly from the Professor of Anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons, as well as from my neurosurgeon. You need to build it up gradually, everyone will have a different tolerance level, and your body will soon tell you if you have overdone it..
The Royal College of Surgeons provides this guidance:
[DLMURL="http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patients/get-well-soon/discectomy/what-to-expect-after-the-operation"]What to expect after the operation — The Royal College of Surgeons[/DLMURL]Their 3 Golden rules for a speedy recovery are:
- Stay active
- Keep a normal daily routine
- Keep social contact with peopleThe Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford agrees, saying you can start exercising the day after the operation: http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files%5C100720laminectomy.pdf
Addenbrookes says to start with short walks and build up
http://www.cuh.org.uk/cms/sites/default/files/publications/PIN0546_lumbar_microdiscectomy.pdfFrom my experience, the walking etc that I did was tiring but not risky. I certainly wasn't cavalier about it. Lifting things on the other hand would definitely be something not worth trying until you are having physio and have strengthened your core.
6 months on and I am pain free, moving well, playing squash, and have been umpiring cricket matches since June (5-6 hours on my feet each time). Maybe I got lucky. I had a neurosurgeon at Addenbrookes who is at the top of his field. But I also followed the guidance I was given.
I accept however that individual cases differ, and there may be something about your operation and physiology that means a more cautious approach to rehab is required.
I hope all goes as well for both of you as it has for me.
Hi there, sorry just seen your reply! The one thing I have found is that there is a lot of conflicting information and it can be confusing. Whilst the internet is useful it can be the source of a lot of misinformation. My thinking is that everyones specific situation and surgery is different and the best people to advise are your neurosurgeons and physios who know your specific case. However I also think that trying to get back to normal as soon as possible is the way to go but letting your body guide you, as you've said it will soon let you know when you've over done it!
I'm 7 weeks post op now and other than lifting and sports (mountain biking/Golf) I'm almost back to normal levels of activity. ie I can drive, go out shopping, go for a meal etc... It feels great to be almost back to normal. I've got 1 more week off work then I'm back and I'm really looking forward to returning as that will feel like I've returned to normal. I will however try to limit how long I sit and this I think will be good practice for the rest of your life.