Spinal decompression surgery - cauda equina

[MrsT84]

Long story short - after 20+ hours in a&e on Thurs/Fri an mri showed compression of the spine - cauda equina requiring emergency surgery. Discectony has been completed and I am now at home. Just wondering peoples experience of recovery from this surgery. I have a 7 year old and a 5 month old. Night feeds are hard work, as is keeping on top of pain whilst breastfeeding - only so much medication suitable. However, the fact the bilateral sciatica and saddle numbness has gone is simply amazing! Any tips on washing hair etc? Timescale of recovery?

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Sorry long link - but these things work!

Thank you - never heard of those before!

I had the same surgery a few years ago now. Personally speaking i found the recovery ok. I was in so much pain with a bad back before it, it was a bit of relief when it all went numb. Was you in pain before?
I think (with any surgery really), it takes time to heal. Don't push or rush it- it seemed to set me back, every time.
Have you been advised by the hospital, what you can do, in regards of showering etc? It was some years back that I had, but I don't remember not being able to shower ( maybe just for the first couple of days). I was surprised by how small the cut was ( in my head I thought it was going to be massive lol) !
What are struggling with , lifting baby etc? Maybe we can suggest some work round for you?

They told me not to attempt to shower for at least 3 days, no lifting and especially no twisting. No carrying baby upstairs. I had bilateral sciatica - burning pains down both legs and deep in hips, as well as saddle numbness to varying degrees over last 8 weeks. Today it is mostly the incision that hurts, still some left sided hip pain. I have noticed the dressing is coming away from my skin already on the bottom and side, so I have arranged to get it looked at and possibly redressed tomorrow. I have been OK feeding baby on the sofa although I shouldn't be sat for more than 30 mins at a time and she often contact naps still. It's really uncomfortable at night, trying to put her in the moses basket after a feed. Also finding a comfortable position to sleep - I usually sleep on my side with a cushion between legs, or flat on my back.

Yes I remember feeling weird when setting ( I know this is tmi , but my bum felt so strange to sit on !). I laid on my side on the sofa , would you baby be able to feed like this ? Do you have a partner who can help with the baby , lifting in and the basket, must be so uncomfortable and it is a sort of stretch lean, which can't be good at this stage. Or how about bending at the knees to lower them in. Do you have a cot, could you raise the bottom and then put the Moses basket in , just so it's not so low?

Argh oh for an edit button, sorry for the typos and missing words, but hopefully you can understand it !!

I had decompression surgery a month ago to treat right side sciatica. In my case, they did a microhemilaminectomy, which involved shaving away some bone that was impinging the sciatic nerve as it left the spine.

My incision stayed sore for at least a week. For a few days I couldn't lie on my back at all. The sciatic pain resolved slowly, starting at about a week post-surgery. I got one of those "grabber" gadgets to help pick things up off the floor and that was a help.

I started walking a few miles a day and feel much better as my right leg was weakened by the sciatica and is now much more balanced in strength with my left, so standing for long periods is much easier.

Don't be too impatient for results. I didn't feel fully recovered until the 3-4 week mark.

Thank you for replies. Hubby has been great and doing loads to help with getting 7 year old ready for school and bringing the baby to me/ getting her dressed etc. It's after the night feed I found most tricky last couple of nights as sit in the bed and feed her and she falls asleep. We have tried hubby then moving her into basket when settled but she tends to stir and wake up. I have to turn my legs out of the bed and shuffle along before lowering her into the basket. I think I just need to shuffle a little further along before trying to lower her. Hubby had a stroke in June and I hate disturbing his sleep as he gets so tired but I know deep down this recovery will be short term in the grand scheme of things as long as I look after myself whilst recovering. I think mum might have a grabber I can borrow - that might be useful. She already leant me a walking stick a few weeks ago. I have never had luck feeding baby led down otherwise that would be a great idea. I am looking forward to building up my strength for walking again. The physio in hospital noticed I was turning my right leg so I will have to be mindful of this when I get out and about a bit more again.