4 months post microdiscetomy and still experiencing pain!!

[belikelance]

I had a double microdiscetomy (L5-S1 and L4-L5) back on Dec. 21.  Since then, I have been slowly improving.  But the pain in my back continues, and I have not yet returned to training.  I am a competetive road cyclist and was hoping to race this summer.  I am also a high school teacher, so I am on my feet for at elast 6 to 8 hours a day.  I cannot ride for longer than 30 minutes without being in pain later in the day.  The pain is mostly in the area of the surgery, although occationally it will travel down the back of my leg, but not past the knee.  Also, I have been experiencing pain on the non-problematic side of my back as well.  
I have three questions.  
1. When will the pain stop and allow me to train again?!!!
2.  Should I be concerned about the pain on the non-problematic side?
3. Is there anything else other than taking pain meds that I can do to help speed the healing?

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

Unfortunately I cannot answer question 1

I don't know why you had the surgery but microdiscectomy is indicated for small focal disc protrusions that are thought to be causing neurological disability or severe pain. They mst be small or it will not work. It takes time for the wound to heal, and there may be assocaited muscle injury or strain also.

I would suggest seeing a sports medicine specialist as you are a comeptitive athlete, as well as pain meds a graded physical therapy program will be just as important. Standing 6-8 hours a day will not help too much either, sitting down for some of that may help.

Good luck

[nowherechild]

Did you go back to your surgeon?  You may need an MRI to rule out another rupture, or another disc protrusion.  Also, sometimes after surgery the nerve roots are irritated, and a short course or two of oral steroids calms things down a bit.

But start with consulting your surgeon.

[belikelance]

I did go back to see the surgeon at about the 10 week mark, and the MRI showed that the area was healing extremely well.  I called a couple of days ago, and the doc said that this was just part of the healing process.  He said it should be feeling better in a few days.  Although the pain has improved since I called on Tuesday, it still lingers, more than it did a week ago.

[andrealucille]

A related discussion, my microdiscetomy surgery was started.