Re: Sciatica following microdiskectomy

Posted By Amy on February 19, 1999 at 12:41:11:

In Reply to: Re: Sciatica following microdiskectomy posted by Dr. D on February 16, 1999 at 10:58:09:







Karen,
I had an L5-S1 herniation a few years ago that went on for almost a year until the decision was made to operate and do a diskectomy.
I had hoped for immediate relief following the surgery, but it took at least 6 months for the sciatica pain to completely resolve itself.
I was so concerned the first month following surgery that I saw another doctor, but he assured me that when the scatic nerve root has been compressed for any significant amount of time that even after surgery the nerve needs to heal completely.  In your case it is most likely still swollen and irritated to a certain degree.  It will subside in a few months, and you will have pain that is similar to what you had to a lesser degree until then, but I can say that after 3 years I have no residual problems, the sciatic pain is gone completely.  I did lose the the reflex at the back of the foot (but am told it's no great loss:)....if I lie flat on my back there is a little stiffness in the area of the surgery, but it's barely noticeable.  So hang in there, my surgery was a success, sciatica was no fun, and for me surgery was the best thing...good luck