[Rehabilitation / Postoperative Spine Surgery Questions] Question about 'new' symptom post surgery

[davemmevad]

Hi All,
2 weeks ago I had a Laminectomy at L5-S1. Should have been pretty standard, but the surgeon said he 'took a lot out', not that it went well or any of the normal pleasantries we gets used to after surgery. It got infected, and we are dealing with that. The thing that worries me is new pain.

Every since the operation, I can't sleep on my side (either one). I can start there, but if I don't fall asleep immediately, I'll notice a growing pain in my back that starts to go down the leg, next to, but not right where the sciatic pain went (that is still kinda there too, but better). This new pain happens on BOTH sides, and if I fall asleep, after an hour (2 when I was still taking the Roxicet) or so I wake up in agony, feeling like someone is trying to pry my knee apart. As soon as I roll over it goes away, but pretty soon will build up on the other side. I know the obvious answer is sleep on my back, but that doesn't work since the cervical fusion. And yes, I'm going to talk to the MD today about it, but was interested if anyone here had any input as well.

I guess my main fear is that we've created an unstable joint by removing the disc material, or introducing swelling etc, and I just want to know if this is a known complication or not.

Thanks
Dave

PS - isn't a lamy supposed to be easier than the fusion?????? Sheesh, this one is not going easy.

[Justin]

Every since the operation, I can't sleep on my side (either one). I can start there, but if I don't fall asleep immediately, I'll notice a growing pain in my back that starts to go down the leg, next to, but not right where the sciatic pain went (that is still kinda there too, but better). This new pain happens on BOTH sides, and if I fall asleep, after an hour (2 when I was still taking the Roxicet) or so I wake up in agony, feeling like someone is trying to pry my knee apart. As soon as I roll over it goes away, but pretty soon will build up on the other side. I know the obvious answer is sleep on my back, but that doesn't work since the cervical fusion. And yes, I'm going to talk to the MD today about it, but was interested if anyone here had any input as well.

Hey Dave,

What you are describing is normal. I went through something similar with my L4/L5 laminotomy at 17 years old. I had to switch which side I was sleeping on every hour while in the hospital, and almost as frequently at home.

I guess my main fear is that we've created an unstable joint by removing the disc material, or introducing swelling etc, and I just want to know if this is a known complication or not.

Inherently, your spine is "destabilized" from the surgery. However, I would not think about this as a "true" unstable joint. Your spine is compensating for what was removed. In due time when you can do physical therapy, it is key that you build a strong core to help stabilize your spine to allow continued healing of the area that was traumatized.

PS - isn't a lamy supposed to be easier than the fusion?????? Sheesh, this one is not going easy.

My laminotomy was rough--I'm not sure if it was my age (17) or if it was just rough. However, I was out of commission for 6 months and had to be tutored at night to finish my junior year of high school with everyone else. Good times.

[davemmevad]

Hi Justin,

Thanks! - good to find out from someone who has been there!

The good news is that I saw the doc yesterday, and the labs came back negative, so whatever it was, my body had pretty much taken care of it - but he also said he didn't place too much stock in the labs, given the stuff that came out of the site. So I'm continuing the Levoquine, and will follow p with him next week.

Having said that, I feel 1000 % (yeah, I know, mathematically not likely) better, and have been able to walk much further in relative comfort. So besides missing sleeping in the bed with my wife, I'm doing all right. Whew!

Take care all,
Dave