Anyone had a discectomy for massive prolapsed disc?

[colouringindoors]

If so how was it?

I've had a massive prolapsed disc L5 since June pressing on S1 nerve, causing excruciating pain in back and leg (sciatica). A bit of an improvement but not much.

Saw a private spinal osteo in Jan who recommended surgery. I'm terrified (and single mum so tricky). But have had an awful week pain-wise, suicidal thoughts. So maybe I need to do the surgery...

Any suggestions/experience? Please be gentle though, thank you.

Thanks grateful, stars

Focus. hmmm. I have two dcs with additional needs. About to divorce ex who gave me ptsd.

At the age of 27 I had exactly the same as you, OP, (L5/S1) and the sciatica I had down my right leg was excruciating. I had a discectomy and the first thing I said when I came round from the general is, "the pain in my leg has gone!"
The relief was instant!! I am a primary school teacher. I was walking again almost straight away (the general anaesthetic took it out of me quite a lot) and was back to work after two weeks!!
Like previous posters have said, I have to be careful with my back, but if I do get pain now it is in my back rather that in my leg and it's more of a dull ache.
Good luck OP- I feel your pain and wish you every success for the op

Hi OP

I had an accident at work and badly damaged my lower spine. I found out in A&E that I was pregnant so couldn't have an x-ray.

I had a lot of pain throughout my pregnancy, which I was told was normal. I collapsed when I took my then 6-month old DS out of his highchair. Finally had a scan & they saw the damage. Like you, the steroid injection did nothing.

I was in an abusive marriage. I didn't want to have a general anaesthetic until my DS was older, so I took a decision to postpone surgery for as long as I could.

I was fitted for a custom corset with 4 steel rods inside - it really helped. Not the most glamorous article though!

I was being treated privately. My consultant sent me for an MRI every 6 months. When my DS was 4 years old, my consultant said if I didn't have surgery be paralysed 'soon'. My parents kindly looked after DS while I had a full spinal fusion (bone graft from my hip, titanium rods & screws) at L5/S1. The operation itself took around 7 hours. I knew as soon as I came round that it had worked - the post operative pain was nowhere near as bad as my old back pain.

I was in hospital for a week afterwards. The physios came round on the third day to get me up and about. They did that twice a day. I managed stairs on day 5.

Recovery was lots of walking and gentle stretching. I went back to swimming on around month 4 after surgery.

If your work has an occupational health department, I'd suggest letting them know about your situation. Mine were fab (this was a different employer to the place I had the accident). I went back to work on reduced hours 6 months after surgery.

Life now (16 years after surgery) - my back feels 'pinchy' in damp weather. I ache if I do too much (what is it with vacuuming?!). Heat packs work best. Nothing is as bad as the pre-surgery pain.

Good luck

chattercino thanks that's really helpful to know.

goldierocks wow. 4 years, respect.

@Kez200 did your husband have physio

@colouringindoors dod you have the surgery

He had some physio/osteopath work, but that was all. It's improved with time, and now he still has some numbness in his upper leg and occasionally feelings of spiders crawling up. But otherwise, he's back to where he was before and takes no medication anymore.

He's very careful though, and tries his best to avoid any repeat. He says what he's left with was worth avoiding surgery in his view given the risks that spinal surgery runs.

How are you?

@Deedoo no, I didnt. I ended have a steroid injection (maybe 2!) and a different procedure to try and reset the S1 nerve using an electrical current. They together, all helped a little bit. Plus time. But I basically have nerve damage as the content of the disc damaged the nerve root. If I'm still in any position its very present.

@colouringindoors did you get physio and how do they know it's nerve damage x

@colouringindoors who did the electric procedure xx

@Kez200 thats amazing did physio do any massages