14 th Day Am I On Right Track Off A Recovery For A Diskoctomy L5-S1

[shawnjj]

Hi day 14th here.Staples now out of back .The right outside off foot still numb.Also the right leg from behind knee and calf was hurting last night.It did not want to go away.It sometimes feels ike a ache or maybe a spasam.It even feels like a tendent or something.When I sit for more than 10 min. which I do not do a lot thats where I feel it behind my knee and when I stand up it takes a few mins. befor I can put any weight on it.As well the feeling where they did surgery feels so funny like it jelly movinng in my back.How long befor this goes away can you give me some instruction like when I can bend,drive are their certain things i should do and not do.At the hospital it seem like what they told me was genral i guess they are so use to it.Just would like to know if I am on the right track.Would much appriciate all the advise Thanks Shawn.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

It's normal to experience some pain for a few weeks post-op, but you should see some kind of gradual improvement with time. Ask yourself if this better than before, or getting worse. Also, if there is any weakness or severe, persistent pain then you should discuss this with your surgeons ASAP. It's hard for me to say if you are "on the right track" as I don't know your baseline status prior to surgery. But for some people, especially those with other medical problems such as diabetes the road to recovery is much longer than for the average person. What we usually tell people here is that you take it easy for about 6 weeks. No driving or lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk. We also make sure adequate pain meds are given such as percocet. At follow-up in 6 weeks, if everything is ok then you can go back to baseline functioning with common sense about daily activities. Hope that helps.

[Fire/Medic]

We'll this would be my comment to you, I have gone through the same surgery as you three times and this is how things worked out for me. First of all you are only 14 days out give it time, a lot of your symptoms are probably due to swelling. Once the swelling goes down you will find that a majority of your symptoms will also dissappear, or some may persist for awhile. You will find that you have good days and bad days with your back, just remember that your back will never be the same so don't push it or you will pay eventually. Stay in shape  and keep your weight down and with good body mechanics things should be all right. The biggest thing is to keep a positive attiude.
Remember it is all what you make it. My injury has not stopped me from doing anything, I jusy go about it in a diffrent way now. It took me about two Months to get back to Work full time.

[JSK]

I went through the same surgery about 6 years ago.   I thought it didn't work because of exactly what you posted.   It does get better though.  Your back just went through some serious trauma with the surgery & your nerves are still irritated.  

I strongly recommend checking out "The Egoscue Method" by Dr. Egoscue (www.theegoscuemethod.com).   The surgery definetly helped, but I was never able to be very physical until I practiced some of his methods.  It really helped with my quality of life.   I'm lifting weights four days a week in the gym (3 years and no injuries[IMG]http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/contrib/ruinkai/biggrinyoyoA.gif[/IMG],  but I still have my good days & bad days) & back to doing some physical labor at work (I own an HVAC company).

Good luck to you.

[tilley]

I DO know what you are going through.  I have had three serious back surgeries myself.  After the 1st surgery and the similar symptoms as before I felt as though the pain and symptoms were my imagination.  As the Dr. who performed the 1st and 2nd informed me that surgery is not always a relief or a cure.  He was a total Saint.  I love him to death.  Two years later I had to undergo a 3rd surgery.  About this time I had given up on everything and lost all interest in family, health, work, God and myself. This Dr. that performed my last surgery was a tough cookie.  He told me to quit feeling sorry for myself and be thankful that I was able to undergo a serious operation.  He opened my eyes to just being grateful for what was available to me and others.  After the last surgery I did what he instructed.  It was painful believe me.  I walked for 1 mile every other day.  Some days I cried and swore that he was Hitler.  I started feeling better within a month/less than two.  If your Dr. tells you to walk-walk.  If he tells you to run-run.  I realize now that Dr's. DO know what is best.  He apologized for being so hard on me but now I can say to him "other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the opera?"  Listen to your Dr.  Don't go by everyone else's symptoms, cures etc.  It doesn't work believe me. Good Luck to you.  Don't think about the pain because thinking about it will definately make it worse. Stay off the pain medication if possible.  That will only contribute to other health problems.  Believe in yourself-take care of yourself and you will start seeing a drastic change.  I KNOW from experience.