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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
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
Hi
I was visiting the doctor every week for the last one month. Seeing my recovery rate now he has asked me to meet him every third week from now on. So I will be meeting him sometime next week. He has also asked me to start off with the simple exercises for the back and might be during the next visit he might ask me to go for physiotherapy.
Will keep you posted on the developments. Thanks for your kind replies. You too take care.
Regards,
Sowmiya
I was visiting the doctor every week for the last one month. Seeing my recovery rate now he has asked me to meet him every third week from now on. So I will be meeting him sometime next week. He has also asked me to start off with the simple exercises for the back and might be during the next visit he might ask me to go for physiotherapy.
Will keep you posted on the developments. Thanks for your kind replies. You too take care.
Regards,
Sowmiya
Dear Sowmiya,
I think you are doing the best and also proving her that you are the best mother in the world. Also due to rest you are always at home with her, playing with her, feeding her among others. I think this would also help you in faster recovery.
I think you are of innovative character as you are playing games which do not make you run around for her.
As far as your surgery goes Microscopic Discectomy uses microsurgical techniques and the METRx™ system to decompress the nerve root with minimal invasion. There are lots of benefits as compared to other procedures.
There is enhanced illumination and visualization.
Limited tissue disruption and quicker recovery times are all benefits offered by the microscopic discectomy surgery procedure.
I think it is a good idea to do go in for physiotherapy, you can discuss with your surgeon about this on your next consultation.
Physiotherapy will help you in back strengthening and lumbar stretching exercises.
For yoga you can take consent from your surgeon and join. There are specific yoga postures for lower back surgery patients.
What monitoring has the surgeon planned for you? How frequently has he asked to follow up? Did he mention anything about prognosis of your back pain surgery?
I would like to listen from you about your health and follow ups with your surgeon.
Tell my big hi to your daughter.
I think you are doing the best and also proving her that you are the best mother in the world. Also due to rest you are always at home with her, playing with her, feeding her among others. I think this would also help you in faster recovery.
I think you are of innovative character as you are playing games which do not make you run around for her.
As far as your surgery goes Microscopic Discectomy uses microsurgical techniques and the METRx™ system to decompress the nerve root with minimal invasion. There are lots of benefits as compared to other procedures.
There is enhanced illumination and visualization.
Limited tissue disruption and quicker recovery times are all benefits offered by the microscopic discectomy surgery procedure.
I think it is a good idea to do go in for physiotherapy, you can discuss with your surgeon about this on your next consultation.
Physiotherapy will help you in back strengthening and lumbar stretching exercises.
For yoga you can take consent from your surgeon and join. There are specific yoga postures for lower back surgery patients.
What monitoring has the surgeon planned for you? How frequently has he asked to follow up? Did he mention anything about prognosis of your back pain surgery?
I would like to listen from you about your health and follow ups with your surgeon.
Tell my big hi to your daughter.
Hi.. Thanks for your post.
I am doing better now. My daughter is also doing fine now. Yeah she is eagerly waiting to run around and play with me. Currently we play games like sitting in one place and play with blocks.
I was unable to stand or walk and even while lying down in the bed, I was able to lie down only flat not move this side or the other. When I was hospitalised before the surgery, I was given pain killers, the pain dint subside at all. Hence the surgery was done. The surgery was microscopic discectomy. Also the neuro surgeon who was along with the orthopaedist said that it was a big portion of the disc which was hitting the nerve root.
I am feeling better now except for the pain in the legs which come once in a while. The doctor suggested some exercise to start with the simple ones. I am also going for some walking. I will also look for the option of going for physiotherapy and yoga after consulting my doctor.
Thanks a lot for your post. It has given me some positive feelings. I am sure I will be alright in a few days to come. Will keep you posted on my health often.
I am doing better now. My daughter is also doing fine now. Yeah she is eagerly waiting to run around and play with me. Currently we play games like sitting in one place and play with blocks.
I was unable to stand or walk and even while lying down in the bed, I was able to lie down only flat not move this side or the other. When I was hospitalised before the surgery, I was given pain killers, the pain dint subside at all. Hence the surgery was done. The surgery was microscopic discectomy. Also the neuro surgeon who was along with the orthopaedist said that it was a big portion of the disc which was hitting the nerve root.
I am feeling better now except for the pain in the legs which come once in a while. The doctor suggested some exercise to start with the simple ones. I am also going for some walking. I will also look for the option of going for physiotherapy and yoga after consulting my doctor.
Thanks a lot for your post. It has given me some positive feelings. I am sure I will be alright in a few days to come. Will keep you posted on my health often.
Hi Sowmiya,
How are you feeling now? How is your little one doing? She must be waiting for momma to get back to normalcy and play with her.
I want to know, whether any conservative treatment was planned and if so, how helpful was that? Why was decision taken to do surgery?
As far as I believe initial treatment is non-operative; surgical intervention is reserved for patients for whom non-operative therapy fails or who present initially with severe symptoms.
In general, surgical intervention is reserved for patients for whom aggressive non-operative treatments have failed. I think because of problem with pain radiation to knee and ankle, they would have probably opted for surgery.
Operative therapy is more effective in treating symptoms related to the lower extremities than those related to back pain.
Usually the back pain is common after surgery. Postoperatively, patients may have recurrent or new onset back pain, with incidence rates up to 14%.
What type of surgery they have done for you?
Is it Open Discectomy, Laminectomy, Laminotomy, Microscopic Discectomy or Endoscopic Discectomy?
I think you should consult a physiotherapist for your better recovery.
How are you feeling now? How is your little one doing? She must be waiting for momma to get back to normalcy and play with her.
I want to know, whether any conservative treatment was planned and if so, how helpful was that? Why was decision taken to do surgery?
As far as I believe initial treatment is non-operative; surgical intervention is reserved for patients for whom non-operative therapy fails or who present initially with severe symptoms.
In general, surgical intervention is reserved for patients for whom aggressive non-operative treatments have failed. I think because of problem with pain radiation to knee and ankle, they would have probably opted for surgery.
Operative therapy is more effective in treating symptoms related to the lower extremities than those related to back pain.
Usually the back pain is common after surgery. Postoperatively, patients may have recurrent or new onset back pain, with incidence rates up to 14%.
What type of surgery they have done for you?
Is it Open Discectomy, Laminectomy, Laminotomy, Microscopic Discectomy or Endoscopic Discectomy?
I think you should consult a physiotherapist for your better recovery.
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