Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst

Posted By Amy C. on April 27, 1999 at 10:45:40
Three weeks ago (4/5), I had surgery to remove a 3cm Tarlov cyst from S1/S2/S3.  The surgery was very tedious and lasted over 4 hours with a 4 day hospital stay.  Before the surgery, I had constant pain in my lower back and left leg (sciatica)for over 2 1/2 years.  The pain in my lower back is now gone, but I have some questions below for which I'd like your opinion.  
1.  I know this type of condition and surgery are rare.  Where can I find more information to become better educated as to why this happened and what to expect in the future?
2.  After surgery, I have an area of numbness between my legs (on my left side only) which extends behind to the middle of my left buttocks.  I get short stabbing pains in this area - does this mean the nerve is healing?  The NS said the cyst was really wrapped around S2&S3.  (I had to go back in to ER because my bladder stopped functioning but that is better now.)  Will I have permanent nerve loss?  Will this affect my ability to achieve orgasm?  (The left inside of my vagina is also numb.)
3.  My incision site where they did the laminectomy is only mildly painful.  However, three days ago, I had a terrible headache (like what I had after a myelogram) which lasted for two days.  Every time I stood up, I would feel pressure at the top and back of my head - when I laid back down it would get better.  I spoke to the doctor who said to stay in bed and call if it didn't get better.  It was better yesterday and today I have no headache; however, I'm afraid I may have had a CSF leak.  Can they happen at 3 weeks postop?  Can they be a slow leak where I will have good days and then bad days?  My NS said one of his concerns was getting a good seal on the surgery site to avoid this problem.  Also, he said there is a danger the cyst will reform.  Do you know of any history for this rare surgery?  What would tip me off that I have a CSF leak and/or reocurrence of the cyst?
4.  My biggest area of discomfort now is pain from the sciatic nerve in my left leg into my calf.  I have a difficult time sitting for more than 20 minutes.  It will hurt at a pain level of 7+ if I have been sitting, 5-6 if I have been standing, and a 3 if I lay or recline on my right side.  I am taking 2 Lortabs 3 times a day for pain which helps somewhat.  It will bring the 7+ pain down to a 4-5.  Is there anything that's more effective?
4.  Lastly, I am a 41 year old woman who is President of a new bank.  I have a tremendous amount of pressure to perform in this position but have the support of the owners of the bank to take as much time as I need to get back to 100%.  My NS is encouraging me to go back to work now after 3 weeks.  I've been getting my mail/messages/work on a daily basis and have been staying on top of things from home with a laptop/fax/phone.  I attended two social functions at the bank last week where I spent 2-3 hours on my feet and paid the price later.  With the level of activity and responsibility of my job, there is no way I can go in for just a few hours a day -- with customers, staff, and daily work, I'll be there at least 6 hours with a 1 hour commute on top.  I can't sit that long plus I can't think as clearly as a bank President needs to while I am on pain meds.  I am torn -- my NS thinks I can start back to work and encourages me to "push it".  If I had a non-public, low-responsibility job at a desk where I could leave after 4 hours, I could; but at my position and responsibility I can't.  Once I go back in, I'm there.  My boss said after major surgery, he doesn't expect me back until at least 6 weeks or more.  I feel if I don't go back, I'll disappoint my NS and he'll think I'm lazy.  What has your experience been with this type of surgery?  What is the normal time before resuming full responsibilities such as what I have?  Should I wait until my sciatic pain is improved before I return to work?  How long might that be?
I realize this is lengthy and apologize for that, but I value your opinion immensely.  Thank you so much for your response!










Follow Ups:


Re: Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst CCF MD GS 4/28/1999
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Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst Amy C. 4/28/1999
(5)

Re: Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst CCF MD GS 4/29/1999
(4)

Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst Becky 6/10/1999
(3)

Re: Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 6/27/1999
(2)

Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst lynne 7/10/1999
(1)

Re: Surgery to Remove Tarlov Cyst CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 7/11/1999
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