[Micodiscectomy, Laminectomy & Laser Decompression] New Member- L5-S1 Partial Discectomy Recovery

[caverT]

Hi,

I herniated my L5-S1 disc splitting firewood a couple of years back and have been dealing w/ back pain off and on over since. I tried the various conservative methods including rest, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and epidural injections but I kept aggravating the disc every few months. Finally got fed up when I started getting sciatic pain in my calf and foot last Nov. Surgeon said that I'd probably continue to aggravate the disc and at an increased frequency without surgery. In order to attempt to get back to my previous active life I opted to go through with the surgery.

I had a laminectomy and partial discectomy on 12/18/09. The first week of recovery was hell. Not only did the incision itself hurt but I had sciatic pain in my calf like I never had before. The calf pain resolved itself by the second week but then my foot hurt. By the third week I was feeling pretty good. 1st post-op was uneventful. Surgeon said my sciatic pain was from the swelling and having to move the nerves around during the surgery. Started physical therapy. Back to work full-time after 4 weeks.

I'm currently 6 weeks post-op and somewhat discouraged by continuing sciatic pain in my foot. It's worse than it was before the surgery and I generally only notice it when laying down. I guess I was hoping for a relatively quick and pain free recovery and not persistent symptoms. I keep thinking that maybe I reherniated the disc without knowing it and hate the thought of having to go for additional surgery. Was wondering what other peoples experiences were from similar surgeries.

caverT

[Justin]

Hi caverT,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

You are making a great recovery. It took me close to 6 months to feel good again after my L4-L5 laminotomy at 17 years old. When nerves are manipulated during surgery, it takes quite a while for them to "calm down." At 6 weeks post-op, you are still extremely "early" in your recovery and I would not suspect that you re-herniated the L5-S1 disc.

For all three of my spine surgeries, recovery has not been linear but "2 steps forward, 10 steps back." Unfortunately, it's just part of the recovery process. However, as you move along in recovery, you will notice that the good days will out number the bad and you will slowly work your way into feeling good (the surgical-induced pain should subside with time).

I wish you the very best and we are here to support you along the way--you will turn the corner soon!

I'm currently 6 weeks post-op and somewhat discouraged by continuing sciatic pain in my foot. It's worse than it was before the surgery and I generally only notice it when laying down. I guess I was hoping for a relatively quick and pain free recovery and not persistent symptoms. I keep thinking that maybe I reherniated the disc without knowing it and hate the thought of having to go for additional surgery. Was wondering what other peoples experiences were from similar surgeries.

caverT

[scduggan]

CaverT,
Welcome to SPS. I have just one word of encouragement similar to Justin's. My husband had a laminectomy at L5/S1 in October 2006. He also took quite a long time to heal, and a long time to even know if the surgery was a success. He is doing really well now....back to running several days a week. Hang in there!
CD

[caverT]

10 week post-op update - Went to see the doc today for my "final" post-op checkup. Surgical incision has healed up nicely and pinch in back is gone. Still plagued, however, by burning pain in my right foot. It's not constant and only bothers me when I'm lying down and sometimes sitting (like now). Doc didn't seem overly concerned since the pain wasn't constant. I asked if he thought I should get an MRI and he said not at this point. As long as it's not interfering w/ my life, give it another couple of months. If it still is bothersome then, come back. Not the most satisfying of doctor visits but I guess I didn't expect anything else. Hopefully the pain is just part of the healing process. I guess it could also be scar tissue (which there's not much that can be done) or I may have a disc fragment floating around or reherniated (although I would think I'd have significant pain if I did that). But if I did, I don't think it's bad enough at this point that I want them to go back in and risk further complications.

[Gilbert P]

Hi And

I had a foramonatomy at L5-S1 to re- leave pressure on the nerve from a herinated disc from 15 years ago, and a Micro Disco at L4-L5 In Sept 18 2009. I am now ,walking every day on a treadmill or outside ,Riding a stationary bike, and stretching twice daily, Also working as a ski racing official and yes Skiing again I still get some low back pain if I over do it .But no sciatic pain in my right leg witch was a 10 and sometimes in my left from L5-S1 DDD,

Some times I will take A Vallum to reduce spasims and some advil to reduce inflamation

Nerves take a long time to heal and will do funny things Its not the same for all

Be patient and positive you will improve,listen to your body.

All The Best

Gil

[bigkey66]

Hi caverT,
I hope you still check this site... You have no idea how grateful I was to find your post and subsequent comments by other users! I literally cried! I am 16 days post-op and since my surgery was just before Christmas, my 1st post-op visit is not until this coming Wednesday because my surgeon was out of town! I have been an emotional wreck for the past 2 days because I have been experiencing numbness/tingling down my leg, still not walking properly, pain behind my knee and in my calf and top of foot. I was certain that the surgery had not been a success because of these symptoms.

As I read your post, especially the part about the pain maybe having something to do with the moving around of nerves during surgery, I felt quite a bit relieved! Anyway, it is helping me to hang in there until my Wednesday appointment, LOL!

So, I thought I would just check in, since it has been a while after your surgery, and ask if you wouldn't mind sharing how you have been, what your PT was like, etc. I truly hope that you are well and active!

Much thanks and warm regards,
Carmen

10 week post-op update - Went to see the doc today for my "final" post-op checkup. Surgical incision has healed up nicely and pinch in back is gone. Still plagued, however, by burning pain in my right foot. It's not constant and only bothers me when I'm lying down and sometimes sitting (like now). Doc didn't seem overly concerned since the pain wasn't constant. I asked if he thought I should get an MRI and he said not at this point. As long as it's not interfering w/ my life, give it another couple of months. If it still is bothersome then, come back. Not the most satisfying of doctor visits but I guess I didn't expect anything else. Hopefully the pain is just part of the healing process. I guess it could also be scar tissue (which there's not much that can be done) or I may have a disc fragment floating around or reherniated (although I would think I'd have significant pain if I did that). But if I did, I don't think it's bad enough at this point that I want them to go back in and risk further complications.

[Gilbert P]

Hi Carmen

I hope you are getting better.

As my Micro disc did not last very long because I pushed it and re herniated ,now looking at major surgery.

Please take it slow and steady.

All the best

Gil