L4/L5 awaiting surgery -advice/tips please

Hello I was off work on the sick with the same problems has yourself pains down both legs pin and needles been off work since last June and still on the sick now had the operation last July I had the l5 and s1 discs repaired to release pressure off my spine was reduced the amount of pain I was getting but while being in pain given meds for the pain my doctors left me far to long and lead to having bladder and bowels problems so keep a close eye and your toilet needs and don't leave it get to that stage all the best with your operation xx

Hi there

3 tips from my experience. I had a big rupture in my L5S1 disc and has surgery in June.

Walk daily after the op, even if not all the pain has gone. Resting will slow down the rehab of your back and abs muscles.

Check with your surgeon but aim to start physio after 4-6 weeks if you can, and do it religiously as directed

If you are feeling great early on that is wonderful but DO NOT take this as a cue to think you are fixed. The damage to the back will take several months to heal and stabilise. Keep to walking and physio for 12 weeks. Don't sit too much, don't bend lift or twist much if you can help it.

Do try to keep the leg and the nerve moving to help avoiding adherence of scar tissue. Ask your surgeon and/or physio for exercises and safe stretches for this.

And don't be scared. Most microdiscectomies are successful. Good luck.

Hi I have just had to give up my work due to my back problems, last MRI results read.

Loss of normal lordosis

Dehydration of disc at multiple levels

Modic endplate changes at L4/5

Diffuse disc post infectious on nerve root in left exit foramina

LUMBOSACRAL JUNCTION

Loss of disc space height

Broad base diffuse disc bulge at fifth of nerve root bilaterally with compression of nerve root on the left

LOWER LUMBAR

Further degeneration with change of facet joints and mild hypertrophy

Not really sure what it all means but am awaiting appointment with Neurosurgeon.I have had back problems for years and never regained feeling in my leg after first prolapsed disc. Is this report as bad as it looks? Or do they just make it look that way?

I hope you are feeling better

I had a microdisectomy nearly 2 years ago. My view is look forward to it, enjoy being waited on hand and foot and don't worry because you will feel immediately much better. Lay down in the car when you get picked up and lay in bed for a few days, but be careful when you sit up.The nurse should advise you. Get a grabber because you will find you'll be dropping stuff all the time and you won't be able to bend down to pick it up. 

Dont bend lift or twist for a few weeks. I am afraid it is a 6 week initial recovery process (not 4 weeks 6 weeks) and you should start to see a physio after about 2 weeks for some gentle strength exercises. Do mini walks after a couple of days, but don't rush it or you'll be back under the knife having re ruptured it done again.  The patient has to be patient.

The nerve recovers at a mm per day so it will be several months until it is fully repaired. you then just need to look after your back with core exercises etc.

Good luck.

Thank you both for the very speedy replies. It is so good to hear from others who have or are going through similar but not good that others are suffering this pain. Sarah Jane can I ask how long you had been suffering before your surgery? I have been warned (by physio and also neurosurgeon) about watching out for bowel/bladder, I do have some numbness at top of thigh, part of groin but it's not got any worse. In terms of medication I am currently on gabapentin (3x3 times day) dihydracodeine, baclofen, paracetamol as well as laxido etc. I am seeing gp today as pain seems to be increasing.

Michael thank you for the tips, how long were you before you felt better than before the surgery and how soon were you back at work? I have been off over 4 months and go down to half pay soon which not looking forward to but no option as can't drive far or sit etc, or concentrate any length of time. My work have been good and when ready I will have a phased return,

Thanks again

A

Thanks for info Anglo Saxon, it's encouraging to hear stories like this. I didn't realise that re nerve recovery, the neurosurgeon did say it takes some time but hearing it like this makes more sense.

Sarah Jane I am sorry to hear this re bowel/bladder, it's so scary and will keep this in mind. I am 49, female and I know that I have aged loads in past 4 months with constant pain.

With kind regards

A

Decompression is the way forward removing of discs but it may be worth taking about fusion or dynesys fusion to prevent further discs collapsing they. Can also do disc replacement. There may be s slight chance ur nerve could recover its a case of how longs a piece of string . They may not know the true out come until some time after surgery . Good luck

hi scotland disc  OMG i have exactly the same.  L4 7L5 Disc degeneration tyhat is upsettingthe S1 root nerve.

ive been through some scary testing for all the horrible stuff MS and ALS etc etc.  i was happy in a way to be told whats the problem.  but OMG now after 11 days in hopital now ive been back home a few weeks i cant do anything at all as the muscle spasms and electric shocks increase if i iritate my back. i have muscle wasting in calf muscle and in my buttock cheek/

 all my problems are with my right leg. but ive started to get the cramping and muscle twitching more in my lft leg now also so i am worried sick something is stil getting worse not better.

ive just bought an inversion table so im hoping that a little bit of spine stretching may help but i dont want to do any further damage   its hard to figure out what to do isnt it.

i think i may need surgery myself to relieve the nerve i cant go on like this watching my muscle disapear.....i sincerely hope it works for you.  did you get the intence electrical fuzzy feeling in your groin area aso  omg i did it was bloody horrible.....regards Terry...ps i live in lincolnshire i have some work coleuges live up your way on...

Hi all

So I have suddenly (since Monday night) developed pain in the side of my face (jaw, cheek and neck), on Tuesday morning I woke to find my eye and corner of mouth dropping. I saw the gp on Tuesday who thought possibly Bell's palsy and prescribed steroids, I have to see the gp again today till he reviews it. This morning it looks like just corner of my mouth dropping. My question is could this be related... I have read that stress can bring on Bell's palsy. Thankfully it's not getting any worse but wondering if 5 months off work, unbelievable o going pain and still waiting on date for surgery is causing this?

Thanks

Hi Scotland disc. I'm glad you've asked about tips etc. I'm also waiting for a discectomy on my L5/S1. Mine started playing up August Bank holiday weekend last year..and 10 days later I was unable to walk. I've tried alsorts of painkillers from my Dr. .but finally tried Gabapentin..and 3 weeks on, it's taking the edge off of the sciatic pain. I tried physio and saw a chiropractor but both aggravated the pain. I was referred to the spinal surgeon after my MRI results. I also have a L4 prolapse but it's not touching nerves..and the scan showed I have DDD in both discs and in L3.! The surgeon said there is no other option as the nerve is severely pinched and causing weakness in my foot aswell. It's nice to read comments from people that have been through it..!