Microdiscectomy recovery

[notforonesecond]

I’ve been suffering with horrendous sciatica since last summer. I’ve tried everything and am just about surviving each day on a cocktail of pain meds.

After being really messed about by the NHS and incredibly long waiting lists I’ve decided to go private and have a microdiscectomy surgery booked now for next month to hopefully sort out the massively herniated L4/L5 disc currently crushing my sciatic nerve.

I know the surgery is absolutely the right choice for me, I’m just looking for some insights on what to expect after the surgery.

I don’t currently have any back pain, it’s all in the leg, but I’m assuming my back is going to hurt like buggery after the surgery?

How did you feel after yours? Am I going to be tired/sleepy for a while?

I know everyone’s different but I’d love to hear your stories.

Please don’t tell me about how yours didn’t work though. Positive thinking is about all that’s keeping me going at this point!

I had one done a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the recovery. The leg pain was gone as soon as I woke up from surgery but my back was very stiff/sore for about a week. I was very sleepy until I was able to come off the opioid based medication. After that things gradually improved - still had nerve pain twinges for about 6 weeks but nothing compared to pre-op. Went back to work (reduced hours) after 2 weeks with no issues. You’ll be fine, OP. It’s definitely worth it - I’m fully recovered and haven’t had any pain since

oh thanks for responding, that’s really reassuring.

I’m not sure it’s physically possible to be on more opioid painkillers than I already am so maybe I won’t notice much difference 🤣 I’m very excited about the prospect of my leg not hurting any more. I can’t even remember what that was like!

I had one in 2017. No painkillers after. Mine was done as an emergency L4/S1, cauda equina, 4.5hrs in theatre

tips
get stuff done before you go in - bedding changed, easy meals, anything you need to drive for, laundry etc
take or wear slip on shoes to hospital!
walk afterwards, little and often to stop scar tissue adhesions
very very basic core exercises, plenty on google but stuff like standing on one leg brushing your teeth and work your way up, if you can afford a few sessions with a rehab PT it’s worth it and I also paid for a sports type massage or two
don’t bend, twist or sit, I was either lying down or standing for most of the time, I would squat down to feed the cat!
I was really tired so I would walk, eat, nap, watch TV, repeat
shopping centres are good for walking afterwards as flat, no trip hazards and you get a coffee break I took the rehab v seriously and ended up building up to walking 5k by playing Pokémon and exploring the local cafes

my recovery was quite hefty as it was so damaged but I was back on a horse after 8 weeks