i had a discectomy and laminectomy on the 30th march after 2 years of misdiagnosis in the end the pain had got that bad they had me in straight away for the OP and it was done the very night at the QE in Birmingham i had full paralysis in my right leg and couldn't feel my right foot and was taking tablets like sweets, that was a month ago and my recovery was swift but in the last 5days it seems like ive got pain back, i have pain where my kidneys are and in my groin. These where the same pains that started the whole journey 2 years ago and am worrying that it might be the disc out again. What i need is some advice as to if these pains are just part of the normal healing or if there could be something wrong again.
Any help and advice would be great.
Well the operations deal with the effects, for example removal of damaged or injured disc tissue, and deal with the immediate risks of harm, for example avoidance of permanent paralysis.
What the operations do not address is the context of the problem, in other words the factors that have caused the damage in the first place. Importantly, however, if cause remains, then effects can return. It is a criticism of medicine that it treats effects and not causes, sadly this if usually true, we can list endless examples.
By all means ask your surgical team what to do next in terms of rehabilitation: apart from anything else, they need to know the outcome, and check for possible complications. However, you may well be on your own after that. We see this time and again, that once the rocket science is done (and usually done extremely well, by the way), the less glamorous but equally necessary input is simply not there.
The good news is that there are many inexpensive therapies only too happy to try and move things on to the next stage, if you find you have been left high and dry, and the sooner you start looking into these areas the better. Unfortunately, wihtout close familiarity with the case, it is not possible to be more specific than that.
Good luck!
Hiya Polly!
What i need is some advice as to if these pains are just part of the normal healing or if there could be something wrong again.
I'm sorry to see that you are still experiencing pains and worries at 4 weeks post op, and I am very sorry to see that you experienced such a 'catastrophic episode' that led to your operation!
But it is still 'early days' in your 'post op recovery' period, so please don't panic! Keep a diary of the pains & symptoms, and details of what exercises you do, what drugs you take and how many! Your Consultant will need to see this!
My advice is, if you have not done so already, makes sure you get a post op consultation ASAP (for the reasons kvdp gave), and make sure that they give you a rehab/recovery regime to follow. Also, I would suggest, getting an appointment with a good and recommended physical therapist eg: Osteopath, Chiropractor or similar, (kvdp or stephen jeffery could advise on which is best) and ask them to assess (but not treat at this point) your spinal condition, in order 'for you' to understand whats happening with your back, right now! I have always found these sessions 'incredibly valuable' in understanding my condition and they have helped me join up the dots and the missing segments of knowledge!
Keep using the 'Healthy Pages' resources, their really helpful.
Best wishes 
SPINELF