L5/S1 Microdisectomy.
Hello all,
After a good old read of many peoples troubles not just L5/S1 but other lumbar disccs and trapped nerves, i thought that it would be good to share my experience in this subject. I hope that what i write can only be positive and also help many people decide whats best for them as an individual because everyone is different. I hope not to bore.
Many years of graft has left my lower three lumber discs L3 L4 L5 with moderate degeneration, this was only brought to my attention after months of pain forever getting worse.
All of the classic examples like numb bum, shooting pain straight down the right side of leg also of which could be constant at times, pins and needles and numbness of the right foot. these all could be really testing at times as you cant begin to explain the amount of pain. After pain got a little too much to handle eight weeks off work on and off aint no joke. I have four children to support so you can imagine.
I would like to emphasize that not all areas in which we live are the same as ive read that some people are almost fobbed off with pain relief, injections etc etc...
I could count myself lucky i suppose because after a few visits to my doctor then came the MRI Scan, before i knew it i was in front of a specialist (3 weeks) that day i signed a consent to remove the prolapse compression on S1 nerve (7 weeks). I was obviously told ins and outs mainly positive may i say. They did however tear the nerve slightly which is also part of the risk to which meant that i lay in hospital for five days feeling rather rough.To which the nerve actually repairs itself. If however there were no tear then one night in hospital is sufficient i'm told.
These neurosurgeons have very good knowledge and are very good at understanding what as a person you have gone through. I have now been home since 6th December and have been given a new lease of life so far, ok 6 week before work again and fully mended by 6 month but i wouldnt have done this any other way. I have to build up the strength in my right leg yet especially, nothing a few walks and physio wont solve, also just mild numbness on outer right foot which hey if doesn't dissapear then so be it, it's only damage from the previosly trapped nerve. A very big thumbs up from me.
So if anyone out there is suffering in silence do speak up to your GP and insist MRI because pain relief is not the answer. I hope this is a little bit of useful info.
Good Luck
On going back pain
Hi everyone, have only just come across this thread and have been quite astounded at the amount of positive messages it contains.
I hope you don't mind but I thought I'd post you my experience and where I currently am.
I am in the process of leaving the Armed Forces but in Summer 2008, after having constant back pain for a number of years, I collapsed in the garden. Couldn't stand or move, I eventually shuffled back into the house on my back...have to say this was the most excrutiating pain I had ever experienced.
2 weeks later I managed to get back on my feet, no physio and the docs weren't that worried as I was up an about.
Anyway, summer 2011, it went again at work, and then it was on and off for about 3 months. Eventually had physio but, once my pain has gone, I am fine so physio didn't really help. However, a numbness in my left leg was now present.
Hey ho, this summer it went again, whilst shaving. My own brand of treatment is initial rest, painkillers then, after a day or two, start to get up and about. Unfortunately, the leg pain is more present and more painful. Have had months of physio and a 3 week intensive rehab course but still no MRI, as the docs have said it's a simple case of degenerative bone disease!!!!
After being discharged from rehab, I was told that this was it for the rest of my life......pack pain on and off and a constant numb left leg. Well on Sunday, whilst putting my shoes on, it went again...this time it was pretty bad. It's Thu today and I have only just managed to get up and about. However, what I must add is that the previous Fri, after joining a civvy medical practice and seeing a civvy doctor, I had an MRI scan and I am now waiting for my results.
For me, after years of pain, physio, exercises and rehab have not helped one bit. I am very fit, the rehab physios commented on my core strength but my back just goes for no reason; it's incredibly depressing.
Like I said, I am waiting on my MRI results which will hopefuly shed some light on my problem. If I needed surgery, I wouldn't think twice but will let you know my results when I get them.
Would just like to say that the positive messages on here have really helped me see that it's not all doom and gloom when it comes to constant back and leg pain 🙂
Regards JG.
Hi everyone, have only just come across this thread and have been quite astounded at the amount of positive messages it contains.
I hope you don't mind but I thought I'd post you my experience and where I currently am.
I am in the process of leaving the Armed Forces but in Summer 2008, after having constant back pain for a number of years, I collapsed in the garden. Couldn't stand or move, I eventually shuffled back into the house on my back...have to say this was the most excrutiating pain I had ever experienced.
2 weeks later I managed to get back on my feet, no physio and the docs weren't that worried as I was up an about.
Anyway, summer 2011, it went again at work, and then it was on and off for about 3 months. Eventually had physio but, once my pain has gone, I am fine so physio didn't really help. However, a numbness in my left leg was now present.
Hey ho, this summer it went again, whilst shaving. My own brand of treatment is initial rest, painkillers then, after a day or two, start to get up and about. Unfortunately, the leg pain is more present and more painful. Have had months of physio and a 3 week intensive rehab course but still no MRI, as the docs have said it's a simple case of degenerative bone disease!!!!
After being discharged from rehab, I was told that this was it for the rest of my life......pack pain on and off and a constant numb left leg. Well on Sunday, whilst putting my shoes on, it went again...this time it was pretty bad. It's Thu today and I have only just managed to get up and about. However, what I must add is that the previous Fri, after joining a civvy medical practice and seeing a civvy doctor, I had an MRI scan and I am now waiting for my results.
For me, after years of pain, physio, exercises and rehab have not helped one bit. I am very fit, the rehab physios commented on my core strength but my back just goes for no reason; it's incredibly depressing.
Like I said, I am waiting on my MRI results which will hopefuly shed some light on my problem. If I needed surgery, I wouldn't think twice but will let you know my results when I get them.
Would just like to say that the positive messages on here have really helped me see that it's not all doom and gloom when it comes to constant back and leg pain 🙂
Regards JG.
On going back pain is sometimes very difficult to treat. But since you are a positive person - you could well find hypnotherapy helpful.Pain is literally all in the mind. Until the signal reaches your brain there is no pain - and hypnotherapy can prvide you with tools to stop the signal or reduce its intensity.
I am sure you will find a practitoner close to you who could help you
ouch
hi all....i first started suffering with severe back pain when i was around 5/6 months pregnant with my 4th child....at the time i just assumed it was because id put on so much weight and being pregnant etc etc...anyway about a year after having my baby the pain was no better,i was in constant pain all the time,anyway dr booked me in for accupuncture,didint work,then back specialist..didnt work..then i had an mri scan which showed ive got 2 slipped discs...i was offered the operation but i was too scared to have it,i was worried about it going wrong and ending up in a wheelchair etc etc...anyway its now 6 and a half years later and im still suffering...lately things seem to be worse...i normally only ever manage to sleep for about 3/4 hours sleep a night as im constantly tossing and turning because of the pain...i try to remain as active as possible..i have horses and try to ride as often as i can..i walk my 2 dogs at least 2 miles everyday...i work as a childminder in the daytimes and a carer for the elderly at night...but now im seriously considering going back to my dr to find out about the op...i was just wondering if anyone could tell me how long the recovery is and how it was for you?....sorry its so long winded...thankyou,x
iloveeyore
Hi, the age old answer to your question from most sufferers will vary significantly as people go about rehab differently and have differing physical states. Surgeons will say 8 weeks to be back to normal.
From experience of surgery I would say 16 weeks to be at a level where you can feel/see a real difference and 6 months to be 90%+ recovered. However if you have 2 discs this may alter the outcome as it will be dependant if they do a microdiscectomy or fit a cage.
Im aware im not helping but suggest maybe messageing SaliMali on the forum as she had her pain following pregnancy and is currently recovering from surgery (week 14-16).
SaliMali I apologise for singling you out but you will have a much better idea than me about how far you have come.
Reply
Hi
Sure, no problem microsuccess, I don't mind, happy to help!
Yep I would agree with the time scale thing that microsuccess points out. My recovery has not been the 8 week recovery that I was told by the surgeon! I view the discectomy as a success as pain reduced significantly since the surgery but its been a long haul and at 15 weeks post op I see myself as about 60% recovered so far! My herniated disc was due to pregnancy and childbirth. Mostly due to me being fairly small and having a 9lb2 baby!! I struggled with back pain and some leg pain before he was born but was told that it would 'go' after delivery! How wrong they were.....straight after delivery, there was the damage, couldn't stand or walk, let alone look after a newborn! Anyhow, 5months later had the surgery and wish now I had it sooner as it has eased leg pain but recovery takes work. Having said that it is easier for lots if people and all depends on amount of time nerve is compressed and how severe compression is. If you read microsuccess post on recovery it's very helpful. Too much googling on the Internet can make you panic about the operation but if the pain is unrelenting and you feel you have exhausted all other options, do not be scared of it. If I can help at all, I am happy to answer any questions and do inbox me a message if you prefer!
SaliMali
6 months later
Hi
Just read your post. I'm six months post op l4/5 discectomy. I would say I'm only now feeling about 80%. I was very active before but am definitely not back to my pre op level of fitness yet. I can swim 40 lengths and walk 5 miles but suffer the tingling in my right leg afterwards. Its far improved from before surgery when I couldn't even stand so definitely worth it for me.
The consultant told me 6 weeks for recovery but I feel that was totally unrealistic. I went back to work at 6 weeks but only 4hrs a day and office based but I personally think it was too soon and should have waited until 12 weeks after.
I'm really keen to be fully fit as I want to start a family but think I've got a little way to go yet.
Good luck iloveeeyore!