Slipped disc caused by labour - any advice?

[Calico1]

I had my son three weeks ago after a long difficult delivery ( forceps delivery in the end). I had severe back and leg pain throughout and an MRI scan a few days later showed that I had a serious prolapsed disc in my lower back. Any one else experienced this? I had to have surgery on my spine a week after Lewie was born as I was losing sensation in my buttocks and legs due to pressure on the sciatic nerves. I am recovering but would like to hear from any one else who had a similar experience.... and find out how long it took to recover. Not easy looking after a new -born babe after back surgery!

Thanks for any advice

Hiya,

I also have a slipped disc, just between my sacrum and L1 - so very low down. Have had pain for years with it.

Only got diagnosed 4 months ago, had steroids via an epidural 2 months ago and no difference.

Consultant seems reluctant to operate so its good that they did yours so quickly. I also have pains down my leg into my foot, no loss of sensation though.

Wish you a good recvery.

H i thanks for the info. My slipped disc was also very low down and I was operated on because of the nerve damage rather than the pain....otherwise I think they would have just given me pain killers and sent me home. Sorry to hear you are still in pain - it is excrutiating. My pain disappeared since the surgery. I was also fortunate that I gave birth at Stoke Mandeville hospital as they happen to specialise in spinal injuries so I had a top surgeon on the maternity ward within hours!

Can I ask what sort of surgery they did? How long was it before you could walk afterwards, is it the sort of thing where you're in bed for days after.

I'm seeing my consultant tomorrow and he's said the next step is srgery

I had a discectomy or sometimes called a decompression. Basically it is a removal of the prolapsed disc material that is pressing on the sciatic nerves. The op took about an hour and I had to lay flat for the first 24 hours afterwards and then after that I was encouraged to get up and walk around. I was in hospital for about 4 days afterwards but able to get up and about pretty well. It's been nearly three weeks since the op and my mobility is now very good - it's just the nerve damage that I have to recover from now which is where the disc was pressing on the nerves. Op really wasn't too bad and the scar is quite small, so if you are in pain I would try to persuade your consultant! Good luck....

Thanks for the info. I tried to convince the consultant but no luck. He says that my nerve is irritated but not trapped as I have a good range of movement in my leg. He seems convinced it will get better by itself in the next few months.

God knows why as it has been bad for 4 years. Still am seeing him again in 3 months and he says he may consider surgery if not better by then. I think if I couldn't move my leg well then it would be done now.

Hmmm - I know several people who have had a similar problem to you and it did get better one its own - but takes quite a while. I literally couldn't walk across the room without two people supporting me so I guess my mobility was pretty poor. Someone suggested pilates is good gentle exercise - as long as the instructor is told about the slipped disc. I haven't managed much exercise at all yet - except pacing the floor with the baby each night!

Good luck with your back and I really hope it does recover quickly on its own.

Hi, I have a history of lower disc prolapses since teens, I’m also soon to give birth, what advice if any can you give so I can be prepared anaesthetic/delivery method wise? Thanku x