back pain after microdiscectomy

Question

I had a microdiscectomy 2 years ago for herniation of L5-S1 for severe nerve pain down the back of my right leg. The surgery immediately took care of the nerve pain down my leg, but within 2-3 months after my surgery, I began having significant lower back pain. Seems worse as soon as I lie down and try to move in bed and when I try to get to an upright position.. I never had actual back pain prior to this. Anyone else have this experience? I am being told that it is probably "scar tissue" and that there is nothing I can do but continue to take medication. I am only 46 and don't have to take any medications at this point but am now requiring 1-2 pain pills daily. Anyone have any recommendations...i have tried the ice/heat, anti-inflammatories hurt my stomach..have taken cymbalta with no positive results. Tried different sleeping surfaces, told the neurosurgeon who wanted to do a test for blood clots in my legs as I also now have almost nightly charlie horses in my right calf. Am thinking I have some permanent damage.

This discussion is related to 5 months post microdiscectomy and now experiencing pain in non-treatment side.

LyricalLove87 · Answer

I had my discectomy in January, 2013 at the age of 26. It took 8 years for a doctor to take me seriously about my back pain and do an MRI which resulted in the finding of a "large herniation" (my nearly-retired surgeon's words) and progressing arthritis in my spine and hips. Never felt pain relief. It eased my numbness and drop foot on the left, but I still have numbness in both legs 2 years later. About 3 months after my surgery I went in to see my surgeon again as I was experiencing the same pain. He put me in for Steroid injections. Again, no relief. I didn't do physical therapy as I have tried this in the past (nearly 8 months) and it only makes my pain so much worse. After the injections were unsuccessful, I went in for another MRI and he said the results were "promising" but my pain management doctor wanted to do some sort of burning of my nerves or a pain pump. I'm not okay with just putting a band aid on this issue, which is what both of these sound like to me. I am 28 years old and can hardly fold a load of laundry without having to take a break. Nothing eases my pain, I get maybe 1-2 solid hours of sleep a night. Walking, standing, sitting, reclining, leaning, turning, stretching.. NOTHING HELPS!! The pain radiates forward into what feels like my ovaries, down my legs, around my hips and up the center of my spine. If I move a certain way, which nowadays seems like ANY way, I pinch. And I know you all know what that feels like. ABSOLUTE TERROR!! I have given natural birth to a 10lb baby and been hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism and DVT. I would ALMOST rather do those things than deal with this endless assault on my body and youth. And yes.. I am scheduling another appointment with my surgeon ASAP as this latest round of my back "being out" has lasted going on 2 months. I walk like one leg is shorter than the other and am tired of people asking me why I limp and then looking at me like I've lost my mind because I'm so young and try to explain to them that I have the back of a 90 year old woman. FRUSTRATED!!

SweetSky · Answer

Hello.  I know your original post is years old but I was just wondering if they ended up finding the trouble?  I had a microdisectomy on 11-23 and now I'm experiencing the severe back pain/trouble walking.  Also, my body is literally crooked.  Maybe you will see this even though your post is years old.  Thank you.

Guzzy · Answer

Hi my name is John I had a microdiscectomy last May it took away my leg pain but I was left with chronic low back pain and spasms, so I went back to the surgeon and had more scans but he said he was happy and told me that to keep swimming and it would sort its self out but I done everything tons on core work swimming five times a week and so on but I got no better and I was left with a high hip as well. So I then went for a second opinion and then surgeon told me that there was still a problem there an he said a second microdiscecotomy would help, I had this on the 10/12/08 and I was great for ten days and then broke down in to the worst chronic pain and spasm in my back that I ever experienced I could not walk  to the toilet without help and to make it worse the surgeon was away for three weeks. So I had to have my Doctor come out to my house and he put me on morphine until my surgeon got back, man did I put in three of the worst weeks in my life. On seen the Surgeon he hospitalised me straight away I have had scans again and they have came back showing soft post opertive material on my root nerve and the surgeon said this can be normal and he does not think it is the sourse of pain so I am on a cocktail of drugs which are pain killer, diffine, and lyrica and I am no better I am in hospital to date . I will keep you posted on how I get on and it might help you hopefully there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for us. Your not alone the very best of luck John.