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Disc Prolapse Surgery

Hi All,

  Last month I underwent a prolapse disc surgery in the L5-S1 region. The pre surgery symptopms were acute pain in the calf muscles in the right leg which was extending upto the ankle which made it pretty difficult for me to even walk one step. Thats when we did the MRI and found that surgery is a  must and hence operated. Post operation, I found that there was little numbness in the area where the pain actually occured. Apart from the pain in the incision area, I underwent a micro surgery
and apart from the numbness, I was pretty normal. I was able to walk comfortably within 3 weeks with the support of a belt to keep my back straight. But sitting for more than 2 hours caused some pain in the back, I mean this was the symptom after 21 days of the surgery. Suddenly yesterday I experienced some pain in the leg like the one that I had before the surgery. But it was not so painful like the earlier one but still made me panic. I am just going for some small slow morning walks as suggested by my surgeon as a part of post operative care and also started on some exercises  for the back. My question is when will this numbness and the pain in the leg reduce and when can I be absolutely normal ,like the way I was before even the pain occured to me. I am just 29 with a small kid of 1.5 years old and I have been advised not to lift her for the next 4 months.  I have been having a very active normal life and this sudden rest and surgery has caused worries in me. I am really worried if I can get back to normalcy, carry my daughter outside and be back to office.

Thanks in advance for you help.

BR,
Sowmiya
34 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi,

   How are you doing? I am doing good. Its been long since I wrote to you. How are things at your end?

   Things are going pretty good at my end. I am doing good now, but still the feeling of the pain and operation that I underwent is there in my mind and am worried if I dont use my ortho belt to support my back, I might get backache. I even tried that once and had a feeling of back pain.

   Now there is little bit of pain in the hamstring of my right leg, so my doctor has advised me to do some exercises for the same. Other than that the precautions are still going on  -> no bending, no lifting my daughter nor any heavy items.

   My daughter is growing great now a days. She is able to recollect a lot of names of the items in the illustrative books that I have got for her and she is also able to sing along with the rhymes in the DVD. Lots of good things to look and learn from her and I see that kids are learning pretty fast. My daughter is creating a positive atmosphere at home and am able to enjoy each and every part of her growth and she is more attached to me and the feeling of living for is giving me lot of energy and also paving way for the  speedy recovery.

  Thats it. Hope I bored you a lot with my huge mail.

  Take Care. Have a nice day and a good Week ahead.

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I am doing well, thanks for your wishes. Good to hear that your pain has reduced.
I think you need not diet. Initially you can start by spacing out your meal in small doses of 5-6.
You can cook high protein, high fiber and low fat diet. You can take this with you to office and serve yourself grandly.  
You should eat your food very slowly and should eat hastily as it takes approximately >10-15 minutes for brain to understand that your stomach is full.
Yes target of getting rid of 500 calories each day for a week from diet.
Weight reduction programmes are always complex, you need help of dietician to make it look simple.
You can contact one from Columbia Asia.
Keep me posted.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

  How are you doing? Wishes for a great week ahead.

  I am doing good. Better than what I was last week. The pain in my leg is slowly reducing . Its better than what it was last week. But still not completely fine  :)

As I have cut down on all my foods( junk ones :-) ) due to the dieting I am feeling little tired over the weekends. I am not sure as to how to overcome this tiredness without adding calories to my body which I cannot burn. Thought of seeking your advice from you on that.

Thats it from my side.

Have a nice day

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I think your plan would work as you have cut down on most of the things. You are also working out hence it would be easy shed some extra fat too.
I wish all the success in your weight reducing endeavor.
I know about pori and Dhalia Upamas.
Anyways,
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

    I indeed do all my household work now. My day starts at morning 6 Am , preparing breakfast and lunch and getting ready to office and continues in the evening too after 6.30 PM .. and goes on till 9.45 PM, sometimes this also goes beyond 10.30 or so.

  I had also cut down on all junk food. If at all I try to take any, I take only the puffed rice which we call "pori", thats it. No fried items. Earlier I used to make only chappathis for the dinner but now after the surgery I am unable to bend down and make rotis, hence making dhalia upmas in the night, which is a high fibre content food.

  Me and my hubby are seriously working out on cutting down our weight. That also includes no sugar in coffees and teas that we take. So we both are really set to reduce our weight. I dont know how far we would be successful :)

  Hopefully I lose my weight  ;)

Take Care

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sowmiya,
Your weight is bit of a concern as you have undergone surgery of your back and your work involves you to sit most of the time.
This transfers the weight directly on to your spine.
Also that your job involves you to sit most of the time makes it more possible for decreased burning of your consumed calories.
I think it is indeed necessary for you to cut down on your calories and burn as much calories as possible.
Doing household work also makes you to burn lot of calories.
I am not sure whether you can join gymnasium or not, but yes it will be fruitful if you join weight reduction programme.
I think according to your height your weight should be between 60-65 kgs.
Keep me informed if in anyways I can help you.
If you get a regimen for weight reduction keep me informed as I also would like to cut down on my weight.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

  Thanks for your quick response. I will do take care. I am little plumpy. My height is 172 cms and weight is slightly on the higher side around 86kgs. During my surgery I went upto 90 kgs which was very surprising and now I have reduced, still got to find more ways of reducing my weight.

   Doctor was more concerned on my weight and asked me to reduce it via dieting. I was going for walking before I joined my office.. now i am kind of unable to go for my regular walking. So I am dieting by avoiding junk foods. So I shud somehow reduce my weight.

Regards,
Sowmiya

  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Hi Sowmiya,
How are you?
I think pain in hamstring could be due to some muscle pull while doing some exercises. You can do some stretching exercise to relieve this pain.
Exactly you should be getting an imaging study done as soon as possible to see for improvement and further healing.
You should take care in not bending much and not lifting weights as that would be produce additional stress on your back.
What is your weight and height?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
  
    Today Again I went for my checkup. There was some pain in the hamstring and some tiredness which I get. My doctor tested me and has taught me a few more exercises.

   I have also been suggested to take up another MRI sometime by end of this month. He said no sudden bending down or lifting heavy weights. Just some weight reduction programs, regular exercises. He also suggested that I be active so that I am out of all thoughts of not being well or so.

Have a nice day

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
It's glad to notice that you are recovering.
It takes long time for any orthopedic problem for complete recovery.
Prognosis is excellent for complete recovery in most patients.
Intermittent back pain may persist in some patients.
The complications you should be worried about are Degenerative disc disease or persistent pain from other causes. Repeat herniation at the same or other levels. Disc infection or arachnoiditis after discectomy
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

   I am doing good. My daughter is also doing fine.

   I spend around 8 hours in the office. Every one hour I go for a short break..

   I will definitely follow your advice on the physiotherapy exercises. I am feeling a little better as my mind is not idle now. The more I am indulged in work the more I am feeling good.  I do the cold and hot fomentation since my doctor suggested that it could bring down the inflammation in the affected area.

   I am feeling little better.. but really worried as to when I will be completely alright.

   Have a nice day

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sowmiya,
After a long time you have remembered us. How are you feeling?
That’s great news, congratulation’s to you on joining back your office.
How is your little one doing?
How many hours you have to spend at office?
I think you should be doing some stretching exercises in middle of your work which will help in circulation and toning of muscles.
Some of the exercises you can learn from physiotherapist and try to do at home. Do not over exert yourself.
You can take pain killer as when necessary, but do not sit on the pain and think that it will get better on its own.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

   How are you doing? Last Week I met my doctor. He asked me to continue with my multivitamin tablets and said that I can join my office with restriction of bending , lifting weights and sitting for long hours and advised me a pain killer only on SOS.

     We were little keen on the MRI to be done again, for which he suggested that the MRI can be done in another one months time.

      As of now its been two days since I am at office, so things are looking better. Am back to my normal routine of work but doing it very slowly. Two days have been good.

         I am also doing some hot fomentation and cold fomentation on my back for the last two nights. This is also giving me some good energy . So I need to wait and see how I am able to cope up with my office in the days to come.

Thanks,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sowmiya,
Your daughter’s weight is apt according to her weight.
I don't think you should be worried about vomiting; this is normal reaction in childhood.
About her thumb sucking too you should not be concerned as it is normal up to 3 years of age.
If thumb sucking continues beyond 3 years, then you can apply irritant to her thumb like femite, else it is not needed.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi ,
  My daughter is 1 year 8 months old now and her weight is 12.4 kgs. Her food habits are normal. This is when she gets scared. Will talk to my pediatrician and let you know on this. Once she gets scared, she vomits and after that she is fine for the next feed.

Thanks,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sowmiya,
What is the age of your daughter? What is her weight?
How are her food habits?
If her weight is appropriate according to her weight then you need not be concerned.
If her weight is not apt for her weight or if she losing her weight after these vomiting episodes, then I think we need to intervene.
I would like to start her on Lansoprazole for 15 days and see the difference.
After she is  being examined by her pediatrician and if he also wants to start I would prescribe you the dose.
Keep me informed about her weight and age.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

  I am doing good. I will be working from Feb 1st week. I want to do those physiotherapy exercises and put myself into lot of endurance tests at home and see how my body is responding before I start with my work.  As of now he has asked me to do the Pelvic Tilt Exercise, Prone Lumbar Extension, Alternate Leg Extension and Double Knee to Leg Extension.

  My Daughter is doing good. I have a big books of rhymes with lot of illustrations. She loves them and likes to hear me singing those rhymes for her.

   There are two things given below which is of a little concern.

a) The moment she gets scared of something, she starts crying and vomiting. Me and my husband are a little worried about her.Our pediatrician suggested that this is just a reflux and need not worry for some more days. He has asked us to observe this pattern of hers and if this continues then he said he would give her some medicine. Pls let me know if we need to start off with some medicines for her right away. Cos this is a very rare incident that happens might be twice or thrice a month and it started only during last Diwali of 2007.

b) She has a thumb sucking habit, only for induction of sleep.We used the FEMIT solution for her hand as per the direction of our pediatrician but with the FEMIT on, she was still sucking her finger. I am wondering as to how to put an end to this habit of hers.

It would be really greatful if you can help me on these concerns.

Thanks,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
How are you doing?
Have you started your work at office?
Propioceptive techniques and abdominal and back-strengthening programs are essential.
The therapy program should include lower extremity stretching and strengthening.
What exercises he has planned for you?
How is your little one?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
I would love answer any queries regarding your daughter.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

  Yes indeed, Columbia is a very good hospital. The doctors over there are too good, caring and concerned. So is the service of all the hospital staff. Currently I am just doing it for 10 mins and 3 times a day and not more than 10 mins. My physiotherapist wanted me to do it slowly and he also suggested that first let me strengthen my back with these exercises.

   Thanks for you kind and concerned posts.

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
What I wanted to know was that if we know the cause we can avoid the same circumstances.
Well, Columbia is a nice upcoming hospital. The Neurosurgery department is good.
The physiotherapy department is also standardized.
You should be going slowly on physiotherapy.
Do let me know if you have any queries?
I am a physician, specialized in child health.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

   Infact we ourselves were shocked to see me at that state.  I dint know whats the reason and how I got into this problem. It was a sudden onset and a very severe one for which surgery was the only solution.

    I got the surgery done at Columbia Asia Hospital in Bangalore, Hebbal.  The physiotherapy is also going on with the same hospital.

Regards,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I understand from your post that you take care of your health pretty well.
It is indeed important to take break after every hour so that you won’t tire your eyes and back.
But then how did you got hurt at your lower back?
Bangalore is a nice place to stay, where did you get your surgery done?
Was the surgery done at Manipal Hospital?
Is your physiotherapy planned at Manipal Hospital Rehabilitative Services?
Keep me informed.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

    Thanks for the reply. I am still doing it slowly only not overdoing it.

    I am talking to my doctor about my progress often.

   I am basically a software Engineer. My job is normally a 8 -9 hours job, but its been my practice to take breaks every one hour for 5 mins. Go relax myself with a small walk and then come back and continue. This has been my practice for the last 3 years.

     I am in Bangalore now. After my daughter was born, my office work has always taken back seat. The work that I do is only at office and once I am back home my time is all for her and no going to work in the weekends.

   So thats on it.

Thanks,
Sowmiya
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
That's great news that you are recovering faster, Congratulation's.
I think you should go very slowly on physiotherapy, as sometimes as our recovery is faster we tend to overdo it and later we lend up in trouble.
What is your occupation and how much time normally it takes you to be on laptop?
I think it would harm by sitting on laptop for long.
This is the best time you can enjoy with you little one and make her as brave as you.
Which part of India do you belong to?
Keep me informed.
Bye.
Helpful - 0
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