Microdiscectomy post operative issues

Paul, you are only 2.5 months post op. Did you get the op described to you??

The surgeon has cut through muscle, ligaments and tendons to get to your discs. I've had two MD's and each one took me 3-4 months to recover to the point I was at to return to work. However, it was another 3-4 months before I started doing any of the stuff I did before hand, MTB, playing sport etc, and I'm a PE Teacher.

You had 3 done at the same time so have much more healing to do.

Keep the walking going and you should be seeing a Physio by now.

You also say you have had the back/leg issues for years? If this is so you may get the feelings back in your feet/leg over time, but not in 2.5 months. It can take 2 years or more if not longer or at all.

I think you are pushing things too fast and you will regret that. Get to a Physio, keep walking and take your time.

Hi Paul, it is very early days yet.  I am a 66 year old woman and I had L3 - L5 decompression and fusion mid July (in NZ) and although I am healing extremely well with no pain now, it is a long recovery, months, possibly longer as there is a lot of internal healing to do.  I still get very tired. My surgeon, who is regarded as one of the best in NZ, tells me that I have to keep up with the walking but no physio whatsoever. From my results so far I do believe he is giving me the right information. You can overdo the walking, it is not necessary to walk for miles and miles - just enough to keep everything inside healing well and not stiffen up with scar tissue etc.  I was told to gradually build my walking up to 2 kilometres each day, one km in the morning and another in the afternoon but I'm no longer doing that, just making sure I get some walking each day. I don't think that you should even be thinking about running at this stage. Numbness is a common after effect of this type of surgery so don't stresss to much about that, it may go away over time as the nerves heal.  I hope all goes well for you and that you can be up and running again at some stage, patience is required for now! Best wishes, do let us know how you are going.

Have they done a post op CT Scan? You may want to ask for am EMG. It will show if there is any nerve damage in your leg and the time it takes a nerve to transmit an impulse can be measured to determine if damage has slowed the transmission process. Sometimes when there is pressure on the nerves to your legs too long from disc issues, it can create damage to the nerve transmission and leave the area numb. There could be post op swelling putting pressure on a nerve. Remember, numbness means something is compressed. A thin slice CT Scan would show if there is a nerve compressed. Dont let them write it off as "this could be permanent." Anytime there is something that is not functioning right, they need to run whatever test is necessary to tell you why.

I have had nerve issues after years of problems, 2 surgeries with my last 5 years ago for a multi level fusion s1 l3. I also had a lot of stenosis that needed to be addressed with some bone spurs.

After the surgery I still had the nerve problems in my legs, numbing/stinging/throbbing pain. My doctor told me the nerve was aggrevated before the surgery, and while cleaning out the canals where I had stenosis. Nerves take longer to heal. And that the issues should improve. He told me it could take 2 years for nerves to regenerate and heal. Hang in there. I know it can be extremely frustrating. Give yourself time to heal, and try not to expect too much too soon.

Wishing you a quick recovery.

Amy