recovery after lumbar microdiscectomy

4 weeks ago, I had lumbar microdiscecotomy on L5-S1. The herniation was very large. The nerve root of S1 was compressed by the thecal sac that was deformed by the herniation. The first few weeks I had hardly any leg or buttock pain. After 4 weeks, now I have a throbbing squeezing pain in the buttock/hip area. It feels like the pain I experienced a few months before the surgery. Is this normal? I still cannot sit for more than 20 mins. When I get up from sitting, the throbbing pain comes on lightly, then gets intense, then goes away or calms down. Walking sometimes bothers me as well as lying down. I try to walk as much as I can every day, but it is difficult. I have to take Advil everyday and vicodin at night. After 4 weeks, I thought I would be getting better, not having more pain. HELP!!

[bmeko]

I had the same surgery feb of 2000  I also couldn't walk without leaning over and the nerve in my rt leg was gone i was leaking fluid in my spin.  I finally had surgery and felt like i had a new body.  I had no pain was able to walk standing up and by may i was backto running everyday and never looked back.  i have pain now if i bed over to long but my life is great now.   to your question, NO I never got any of that back after the surgery.

[ginagbrl]

Like refinnej I have severe increase in pain in my buttock that runs into my groind area.  I have never had this before surgery, it's been 9 weeks since I had my surgery and I have heard that these symptoms will probably go away.  I'm scared that they're not, help.

[GYT]

7/8/2009 was the day of my  had my lumbar microdiscecotomy on L5-S1 today 7/21/2009 i am 100% better i know its only 13 days but for the last 3 months i had burning and shooting pain in my left leg and burning across my buttock/hip area  with little to no pain relief from the meds.
i hope i have the same good results as bemko

[pallavjha]

Hi All,
I was experiencing shooting pain in my right buttock, thigh and sometimes leg. The surgeon advised microdiscectomy.
I had L5S1 microdiscectomy surgery done on 24/7/09. Now I am on complete bed rest and some medicines to relive my surgical wound. I am having a stiff feeling at the place where operation was done (though its coming down). The surgeon has advised me not to bend, twist for the time being and given a belt. I will be undergoing my physiotherapy from this saturday. I am having slight tinkling feeling in my right foot. I have few queries kindly advise based on your experiences.

1) will this stiff feeling at my backbone area go off with time? and when would be the appropriate time to start the physiotherapy?

2) Is this tinkling feeling serious or is it normal?

3) What further steps shall I take in order to prevent any other problems happening in this regard.
What would be the general recovery time.?

I also have following queries wherein your personal experience can guide me.


1) How long will it take for me to come back to my normal lifestyle?

2) What permanent restrictions will I have to live with and will I be able to regain my touch with sports?

3) I am 23 years old so will my age have any role to play in the recovery period?

Regards,
Pallav

[GregRtri]

I had my surgery on L5/S1 on 6/22/09.  Prior to the surgery I had foot drop, pain deep in my left buttock as well as numb areas on the back of my left leg and the outside and heal of my left foot.  Post surgery I regained control of my left foot and the pain in my bottock was gone.  I still had some numb spots in my left foot.  About 2.5 weeks after the surgery I got back on my road bike and began doing some very easy rides every other day. My doctor said the numb areas in my foot may never go away due to the trauma to the nerve while it was compressed.   I kept riding regularly for 6 months with no problems.  We are now into January 2010 and I have incorporated swimming back into my workouts as well as some easy jogging.  I used to run regularly and it was my favorite aerobic activity.  My plan now is to run enough so I can start doing sprint triathlons again.   I dont plan on ramping up the mileage since running can be hard on the back due to its repetitive nature.  The sports/medical field seem to be split on opinion if running contributes to back problems but I feel if I take it slow my chances are good that I can have an active lifestyle for many years to come.      

[anymore]

hiya i had a microdiscetemy 3 weeks ago and im making really good progress. i still take regular medication more because im addicted to it then i need it!!! im fing=ding after a year on codine coming off it is a nitemare. i am now doing more normal everyday things like sitting, walking, washing up!! but wondered what the time period is before i can return to work. unfortuatly im a nursery nurse so i know i cant go back till im ready but when is a safe time to think about going back???

[reddog7378]

I am having a microdiscectomy of my l5/s1 on 6-14-10. I also have a buldging disk at the l4/l5 area. I have severe stenosis from l1-l5 disk. The surgery is for a protruding herniated disk on the l5/s1 disk. I have had severe pain from Feb. 5,2010 and now the are doing something. I just hope it helps because i cant even work sometimes and the pain never goes away. I went to the ER on June 1, and they had to give me 2 shots of morphine just to get the pain to go away. I am scared because I have to be back at work in 6 weeks after the surgery. I just hope this helps. Any comment would help.

[Terri7493]

Hi,

I just had a microdiscectomy for  L5/S1, one week ago today 6/10/2010.  I stayed in the hospital overnight.  I've been home since last Friday and am up and about,walking and able to shower.

I just took off the wound dressing yesterday morning, it looks good.  The cut is about an inch long.  The incision site was really sore and tight up until yesterday, feels soo much better now.  The first three days home after surgery suxed!  Was very uncomfortable getting up and down, once up, not a problem.  

I have immediate relief in my right leg, no more pain shooting down it and making my anke and foot numb.  Backs still a little sore but well worth the relief I'm already feeling.  

Best decision I ever made was to have the surgery.  I should be able to go back to work in the next  week or so.  Def out for at least two weeks.  Good luck with your surgery!!!    

[letsrock73]

I had surgery on my L1S5 on June 2nd 2010. before surgery I was in excrusiating pain on my left leg and butt! Since surgery I have gone back to work after a month of recovery time. I still get weak in my leg at times, and i can feel pain under where the incision is. I now get spasms in my back and soreness in my left leg. If i lay on my back, I get pain in my left calf as well as tingles in my right leg. Sometimes i get shaking in my leg and fall down. But it takes time to heal! A positive attitude helps! Good Luck!!

[wizbyu]

I had a double spinal fusion.  Been home two weeks now and I wake up with pain in my legs from the knee down, makes it so I cant sleep more then two to three hours with out my pain meds.  Is this normal.
Kym

[clint21]

I am 3 weeks after lumber disectomy and have new snagging pain in left buttock and some weakness in leg. Original pain is better. L4-L5 Herniation.