Anyone had a discectomy?

[surlycurly]

Hi all, I have been having real problems with sciatica for two and a half years now. I'm getting a discectomy next month and I can't wait. Has anyone else had one? Can you tell me about your recovery times or the improvements you saw afterwards? I have very limited feeling in two toes, and cramping and weakness in my leg, never mind the pain in my lower back/ thigh. I'd love to hear your story.

DH had one and got told off by the nurses for not using his pain medication pump, but he said the pain of the op was less than the pain before !

That's really good to hear, thanks @DustyLee123 . I've been waiting for ages so it's good that it's finally coming round, but obviously I'm now thinking about what it will actually be like!

Bump

Pain free (nerve wise) immediately post op. Wound site pain took about 3 weeks to resolve with just cocodamol. I basically did nothing but sit and lie about the house for 3 months to ensure full healing of the disks and bone. Followed rehab given to the letter. I had full mobility back post op but managed to stop myself from moving about as I read several people feel so good they go about lifting and moving/working as normal and within a year they are back in worse pain than when they started. Then blame the op for not working.
I've been pain free for 12 years. But I never lift anything over 10kgs, (shopping bags get split into loads of light bags and multiple trips). I stay fit with cycling, walking and swimming and don't do anything to hurt my back. Gave up horses and riding. Cant stand for too long so concerts must have seating. Just started surfing but it hurts so might need to rethink. If I do too much I feel it so dial it back.

I had mine in 2011 so a bit hazy now! But it was very successful, I felt better as soon as I woke up in recovery, the surgery pain was so much "better" than the leg/back pain. In fact my recovery was so good that I did far too much and ended up back in hospital a couple of weeks later with awful pain - but totally my own fault and it resolved as soon as I calmed down a bit ( and took the drugs!). 12 years later I still have a totally numb big toe & occasional back pain but nothing like that awful pain before (I would have happily cut my own leg off at times). It made having a spinal/epidural for my LSCS a little more tricky apparently but it worked fine & no issues afterwards. I think pushing myself to do the physio was the best thing I did as it got me moving quickly (again so much easier than pre-op).

I put off having it done for months because I was worried but wish I'd had it done as soon as it was advised. Good luck

Thank you so much for your stories- I'm very guilty of doing too much so I shall follow recovery instructions to the letter! Thanks for sharing.

I had mine about 15 years ago - it was a microdisectomy L4/L5. Recovery fine but couldn't sit for 3 weeks or so. Still had a bit of nerve pain which can be normal as the nerve regenerates/heals.

Also a victim of doing too much and at the 3 week point out of boredom I decided to clean tiles in bathroom and fell off stepladder - was very very very lucky not to have put myself in hospital.

Have lots of food in - lie, stand, walk - watch box sets, take the meds and don't overdo it no lifting anything heavier than 1 kg

Back good since, but I do mind it and limit sitting for too long (have standing desk) - no vacuuming or other housework that puts it out and I don't ever carry cases or lift heavy things. It's slipped a few times since but usually resolves with ice/heat and anti inflammatories

I had a micro-discectomy around the same time as Tiger Woods and Andy Murray. I found a blog online for someone else who’d had one and read about their recovery. (Sorry can’t find it now)

I was told no driving for a month and despite having an automatic took 5 weeks to get back driving. I had to buy a mattress protector as my bed was too hard. I struggled to get upstairs so stayed at my parents as they had a stairlift. Make sure your family are ready to support you. Batch cook food if necessary.

Hope it goes well, sciatica is horrible.

I had a discectomy in 2015 at L4/5. This was only after years of Sciatica, and when I developed a drooping foot, though, and it was discovered that the nerve damage in my leg is permanent.

It took me 2 or 3 months to get back to work. As well as the bulging disc & Sciatica, I had hypertrophic facet joint disease. I never saw any improvement, in all honesty; I think the damage was already done. My GP sent me for another MRI a year later and it showed the disc ws bulging again, along with 2 others at L3/4 & L5/S1. I've given up now and just get by on pain meds.

I hope that you have a good outcome.

Thank you! Op is on Tuesday. Wish me luck.

ExDH had one, very successful. They had him up and about same day, albeit on valium. Pretty much instant benefit, he used to bang his head on the wall with the pain before.

It's blooming miserable, isn't it. I'm just sick of being medicated all the time and constantly limping about. Hoping I'll get out quickly too!

Yes, I had L5/S1 - cauda equina
Op was long for me (5hrs) and I walked to the toilet an hour after, discharged 21hrs post op and no painkillers
Back on a horse 8 weeks later

I did a LOT of rehab, paid for a PT, had physio and walked miles. I have some residual numbness in my leg and foot but that's it

Oh and I was alone from day 1 post op and it was manageable

@MrShady that's really helpful to hear- thank you. I don't have a lot of help so I'm glad to know that. Daft question- what happens about showering etc?

Double discectomy - I panicked a bit when I first came round as the pain (though much improved) was still there but was reassured that the nerves would settle and they soon did. Got my life back and would do it again in a heartbeat. Start planning all the things you will be able to do again in the new year. Congrats! You’ll be fine.

What a lovely positive post @Gringlewald thank you! I can't wait.

I had an emergency L5/S1 disectomy back in 2007 after I developed cauda equina syndrome. I won’t lie - it was rough and it took me 3 months to recover and lots of physical therapy after that.

In subsequent years I had several epidural type injections as was still in pain from time to time.

I still can’t feel the outer edge of my foot and get occasional acute back pain but nothing like the pain when the disc first went. I think I’ll always have a weakness there. Maintaining a strong core helps.

Best of luck with your operation. X

I showered as normal after the stitches came out (sink wash before that) but it was no bending/lifting or twisting so if I dropped anything I had to squat down!
They also told me to lie or stand, not sit and I was shattered for the first 2 weeks. Basically did nap, food, walk, episode of Buffy, repeat

I was back riding properly after 16 weeks and in the gym, but didn't run or lift heavy weights until 6 months