Micro Discectomy

[Daniel T]

Thanks Spinelf,

I will check with the GP regarding the rehab courses. I saw the physio at the hospital last week, she was really good, seemed pretty pleased with my progress. Still got this nagging pain in the top of my leg, and when I sit and tilt my head forward I get a pull half way down my leg - bit odd that one!

Saw the surgeon last week too, he seemed surprised how little pain I have, but kindly signed me off work for another two weeks, taking me into January.

Definitely keeping the rehab exercises going, and swimming most days now, really happy that I had the op.

Good luck to everyone, and best wishes for a pain free Christmas!

EB.

 

[daddysgirl]

Here Here

 

[kro]

TO ESSEXBOYBACK

Hi

I've just come across your post and a lot of it is very familiar. I had a discectomy on L5 on 26 November - so a little after your's. I must say I wish I'd found your posts earlier then I would have known what I had coming!. I've not had my follow up with the surgeon yet - it should have been this week but the hospital have cancelled it "due to unforeseen circumstances". I wasn't given any rehab exercises to do and I'm feeling a bit "abandoned" at the moment.

How are you doing - I hope you are still making progress.

 

[rhgioxrj]

Hi ShellyC,

Good to hear that you are following along closely behind me, I hope you are doing OK. It is dreadful that you didn't have any rehab exercises to do, I had some basic stuff when I left the hospital, and then after a month I went back and saw a senior physiotherapist, she has been great. I have seen her once a week, gradually ramped up the exercises, until two weeks ago when I was getting a lot of sciatic pain in my left leg, mainly in the back of my thigh, but down into my heel too. This coincided with my return to work, so I was a tab worried it was the commuting that we causing the problem. She suggested that maybe all of the work we were doing was aggravating the nerve, and as i had full movement back maybe the nerve needed a rest, so for a week I just went to work and did no exercises at all. This seems to have worked, the leg feels a lot better, so this week I plan to get back to the swimming and some light gym work.

I am still not sure I am fixed, the twinges are still there, but I am determined to carry on working it until there is no pain - positive thinking I guess! If it all goes wrong, it won't be for lack of trying to do the right thing!!

I know we are all different, but from my experience, recovery needs patience and doing the right thing. A few times I have lifted something stupid, done too much, and frightened myself, setting the recovery back a few days.

Let me know how you are getting on with your recovery,

Essexboy.

 

[Angel Torres]

Hi Essexboyback

You could actually be writing exactly what I've gone through myself - even down to the pain in the back of your left leg when you bend your head forward. I agree this is most odd and it makes hair washing a nightmare - LOL. Like you I find that if I have "overdone it" then I pay for it the next day. I did quite a bit of walking on Thursday and Friday/Saturday were pretty painful.

Yesterday I decided to try anti inflammatories to see if that would help the pain in my left hip and lower back (I have these prescribed for AS but I've not taken them for ages). Today when I woke I don't feel at all bad - so I think I will carry on for a week or so and see how it goes. Please keep me up to date on your progress

 

[wushuboy001]

You both appear to be presenting with the symptoms of L 5/S1 level nerve impingement, the impinged nerves at this level, send transferred pains down the 'back' of the legs and feet, as apoosed to L 4/5 which usually transfers pains down the front. Keep doing core stability and walking execises and monitor how you get on. If things don't improve, get another consultation and check that its not a second level issue which will need dealing with, I sincerely hope it is just a post operative reaction!

Best wishes


SPINELF

 

[Patrick D]

Spinelf,

Thanks for the advice, as always appreciated. I will keep up the core exercises as you say, watch this space!

EB.

 

[adultgirl]

SPINELF

Yes that is correct, the consultant did say it was L5/S1 which was affected. I would love to keep doing core stability exercises but unfortunately I was not given any exercises at all so I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't know if you have a medical background or just know so much through experience but either way if you can give me any pointers as to what to do, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks

ShellyC

 

[idic5]

I am so sorry that I have not replied earlier Shelly, I lost the post!!

My experience and knowledge has come (sadly) as a result of 18 years of undiagnosed lumber spine pain, followed by a 3 year period when I recieved the wrong diagnosis. During this time, I had GP's, Physiotherapists, Orthopaedic Consultants and Spine Surgeons telling me things about my body and condition that 'I knew' were fundamentaly wrong. Even when I was presenting with contra-indicative symptoms, they would not reassess their diagnosis. For 3 years I was a 'good boy' and did as I was told, but none of the treatments helped and most made my condition worse!! The last straw was when a Senior Consultant said to me, if you don't get better with my treatment, you will have to have a spinal fusion, is that what you want? IS IT ?

I was confused!! I thought that spinal fusion was a treatment for the improvement of spinal pain, DID SHE KNOW SOME THING I DIDN'T??
It turned out she did!! Research proved that fusion is a shockingly destructive and clinically unsound treatment for patients in the medium to long term!!.

I decide at that point, to research my condition on the internet myself, using medical research resources used by the medical proffession.
Through a process of elimination and acurately matching my symptoms, I was able to correctly diagnose my condition myself! I then sourced and purchased 2 MRI scans, an X-ray and the written reports. They all confirmed my diagnosis!! I then showed this evidence to my Spinal Consultant and he was forced, by the weight of the facts, to accept that my diagnosis was correct!!

I even researched, sourced, procured and privately funded a minimally invasive, endoscopic, laser, nerve root decompression at The Spinal Foundation in Cheshire. This completely cleared my right L 4/5 sciatica without any callatarol damege.
I am now trying to get NHS funding a second decompression of my L 5/S1 disc leak impingement at the same clinic.

Regarding your exercise request Shelly, speak to your GP, and ask if there are council run cardio-vascular/skelito-muscular rehabilitation courses, run at your local sports centre, if not, ask your GP for a referral to a Physiotharapist, who will be able to give you core stability exercises to do at home. If you feel finacially flush, consult with an Osteopath, Chriopractor and other manipulating therapists for information on how to exercise your muscles groups safely and effectively.

I hope that helps.

Good luck and best wishes


SPINELF

 

[Qughousac]

Hi Essexboy,

Just wanted to know how's your recovery going on.

Hope all is well now

 

[darwinsfriend3 AM]

DITTO ESSEXBOY!!

HOW ARE YOU? STILL GOOD WE HOPE?

All the best

SPINELF