Microdiscectomy Recovery – Returned Pain Week 5 Post Operation
Posted , 25 users are following.
Hi Everyone,
I’m a 33 year old, male and I've recently had a microdiscectomy (6.5 weeks ago 21st July 2014) to remove a large L4/L5 herniated disc which was pressing right central on my sciatic nerve. This was causing severe pain in my right buttock, occasionally moving to the left, and pins and needles in my legs. I struggled to sit, drive and for the final couple of weeks before the operation walking had become painful and I would have to rest every 500 metres or so.
I’ve been using this forum over the past several weeks and would like to thank everyone for their contributions which have been extremely useful to assist me (and put me at ease) in my recovery period.
Post operation my recovery was going really well up until week5. Late in week 1 light pain returned in my right buttock, this intensified over weeks 2 and 3. Week 4 the pain significantly reduced and I was feeling really good. Throughout my recovery I have walked every day, building up my distance and I also incorporated swimming into my rehabilitation on week 3. I had been told not to do any Physiotherapy (PT) between the operation and my follow up appointment with my surgeon on the 25th of September (9.5wks post surgery).
So on week 5, I went for an early morning walk, along a flat path. I was well rested and it was my first walk of the day. Pre-walk i felt no pain in my buttock and just a very dull ache remained around my incision area. Approximately 15minutes into the walk I felt a twinge in the right side of my back. I hadn’t slipped or tripped on anything, it just seemed to happen. I immediately sat at the nearest bench to recover and then went home.
The rest of the day I minimised walking as the ache in my back was a little more noticeable, but nothing alarming. The following morning when walking I noticed that the pain returned to my right buttock. This pain intensified as I walked and light glute stretching and priformis stretching intensified this pain. My hamstring on my right outer leg also became very tight when walking. The pain in my lower back was still present but there was also some noticeable swelling of area. I therefore minimise activity but still avoided sitting for periods in excess of 40 minutes.
Although I continued to experience pain when walking, I attended two swimming sessions on the Thursday and Friday of around 20 mins each. These sessions demonstrated that no pain was encountered when kicking, using kick board on front or back. Walking backwards also removed the pain to a degree.
Walking had become extremely painful and I often found that I had to hunch over to recover from the pain in my right buttock, after very short distances, much shorter than pre-operation. On the Saturday and Sunday using a GPS tracker, I undertook several short walks from my house and found that when setting off, I was relatively pain free. As I walked past 100/120metres pain in my right buttock would appear and intensify, this pain spread to my right outer hamstring. At a distance of around 200-220 metres my leg and buttock felt on fire and I could not continue to walk without severe discomfort. I now feel the pain when standing for periods also or sitting down. I find that I am most comfortable lying on my back with my knee slightly bent and my right foot elevated.
I have since been back to the hospital for advice and was tested for Cauda Equina Syndrome. They concluded that I was not at risk and I am therefore waiting to have an MRI scan on the 21st of September (3 weeks from now) and I will then see my surgeon on the 25th as planned originally.
Anyway so that is where I am now. I’m back at home, 6-7 weeks after the operation, in very similar pain I had before the microdisectomy. I’ve decided not to return to work unless the pain lessens.
I’d just like to ask if anyone has had any similar experiences or issues and if so what was the outcome? - It really feels like something is pushing and angering a nerve when I walk and stretch my right foot forward.
To go from week 5 with almost no pain, to week 6 and now 7 with pre-op pain and symptoms is frightening, I’m guessing it could be a re-hernation, but I’m hoping it may be just scar tissue or even just muscular, the area around my wound is still very inflamed, to touch the surrounding area feels like it is swollen and squidgy. There are also small hard lumps assumed to be scar tissue.
Any advice would be most welcome.
Many thanks,
Peter
4 likes, 46 replies
antony04377 peter1980
Posted
Hi Peter
I know it's been 3 years but after reading your post it sounds do similar to my current situation.
I had to wait a year for my microdisectomy of my L5S1 disc due to NHS wait times. So long for Physio then again for an MRI scan again till my op.
My disc had curled over and I was in severe pain with sciatica down my left leg.
Because I'm still in pain (exactly the same) but not as severe, I had another scan and I'm waiting for my neurology appointment.
It's been nearly 3 months now and I'm managing pain relief with medication but plan a phased return to a modified role at work which doesn't involve driving or lifting. I need the money!
So how long did it take you to recover?
Are you ok now?
I know my body and I don't care if people disagree, I'm experiencing damaged nerve pain and back pain still.
Tony
peter1980 antony04377
Posted
Sorry to hear you might have to have a second op also. Looking back now it seems like a bad nightmare as I’d consider myself to have made as good a recovery as I could have hoped for. Even after my final (successful) second surgery I went through dark times of crippling pain where I’d crawl about on the floor unable to support myself. As you’ve probably read the key for me was seeking quality tailor made Physio advice rather than the standard post surgery recovery moves which I think are good for the initial recovery but them hold you back if you don’t take it further. I get niggles but Ive learnt how to manage them through trial and error. I’ve experimented with football, touch rugby which I quickly abandoned due post game pain which was unbearable, but have settled on 5k runs (I have run 10k but it does hurt the next day - pinched nerve I think as I do recover quickly), stair sprints, light weight training, low impact interval training and I’m overall in pretty good shape. If I ever have trouble I always revert back to Pilates even though I find it a bit dull. I think regular core strengthening is the key and I like to do this nearly every day. The worst thing for me is spending a day watching the tv. Ive learnt daily movement is essential to my maintenance. Without helping you much I suppose my situation shows that there can be light at the end of the tunnel even when things seem bleak. Anyhow good luck if you do have the second op and all the best for a full recovery.
antony04377 peter1980
Posted
Hi Peter
After just a couple of days on a phased return at only 2 hours a day I'm now signed off again.
I struggled even though I was just sitting down but one day I couldn't even stand upright and the pain was the same as when my initial disc prolapsed.
I'm now back on full doses of medication and having to use crutches to get about again.
Still haven't had my follow up appointment with me neurologist and haven't heard about my emergency mri scan. The NHS is so backlogged I'm waiting ridiculous times whilst struggling to live.
Got another doctors appointment on Thursday so I'll ask if it's worth trying morphine pills but being on 60mg oxycodone longtec and 40mg shortec a day on top of 3600mg gabbapentin, 1000mg naproxen, 3000mg paracetamol, 20mg amitriptilyn.
I'd say nothing else will help my pain.
peter1980 antony04377
Posted
Sorry to hear your still struggling and that your having to take all them meds’ just to get through the day. I share your frustration with the nhs timescales, I would continue to ring and email them if you have their details. Amazing how you ask a few questions and all of a sudden your appointment comes through. I hope you get your appointment soon as it’s pretty clear you’ll need a second op and wish you all the best. Take care Peter
antony04377 peter1980
Posted
Hi Peter
I hope people read these threads as they have helped myself in knowing that I'm not alone with this pain.
I received a letter today from my neurosurgeon, well it was a reply to my doctors letter but I had a copy sent to me. It was very short and stated that they had seen my emergency mri scan and that there was post operative changes with some residual compression.
That was it, I'll be reviewed in his outpatient clinic in due course.
What does this mean? The scan was taken BEFORE I had my latest increase in pain where it honestly felt like the remaining disc had slipped. I feel it shows something but it's so vague to say the least.
I know the NHS are busy and understaffed but this neurosurgeon does private work also, so if like to think he could be took the time to contact myself or add more information. I'm in so much pain and discomfort it's unreal! My doctor has been good but I'm just back on full meds.
Any ideas?
peter1980 antony04377
Posted
yandri50933 peter1980
Posted
About your condition now, after that prosedure, how are you now mate? Do you feel severe pain, weakness, do you can running, swimming, playing football or basket? I just confused because i am young 24 and very active person. Thanks for you.
peter1980 yandri50933
Posted
Sorry for the late reply.
You may have read my previous posts but historically I have a post operation problem of impinging a nerve and I had a reoccurrence three weeks back, first time since feb 16 so I was waiting to see how it panned out before replying, but I have now recovered with rest and walks and back to normal now.
To answer your question I can run but distance is governed by my speed, I can do 5-7km at a reasonable pace for me of 4.5min kms, but I can suffer tingling sensation in my leg following (I think this is down to impinged nerve issue- the more fatigued I am the lazier my steps ), so at a slightly slower pace I can do 10km and feel ok the following days with rest. The best form of running is intervals up steps and walk down. I think this is because I have to think and place each foot with care which prevents the lazy striding I can do with long distances. I can swim no problem. When you say football I presume you mean nfl, American football is similar to my old preferred sport of rugby and I don’t think I would ever go back to a sport allowing multiple uncontrolled collisions with rotation. My Physio suggested my history of rugby may have been the reason for my back with gradual weakening of my disc over the years, so I would avoid contact football. I can play soccer, but have to be conscious of lazy plays and so don’t play as competitive. Just with work colleagues.
There are lots of professional althletes that have surgery and continue playing so I suppose it is all up to the individual. If your still suffering then the mri sounds like a sensible thing, It should at least put your mind at rest and then you can consider the type of treatment once you know what the problem is.
If your symptoms are mild try stretching your periformis, a tight periformis can result in the same symptoms as a slipped disc and regular stretching may get rid of your problem. Just look on YouTube for examples of periformis stretches.
Anyhow hope your problem isn’t as bad as first envisaged, keep us posted with the outcome, all the best Peter
michelle09316 peter1980
Posted
Hi Peter,
I am now one year and 3 months s/p microdiscectomy surgery.
At one point, I never thought the shooting pain going down my leg and into my buttock would go away, but little by little it has.
I have to say, I spend a lot of time while in recovery standing and sitting minimally. I use many different things to help myself.
I currently use a standing desk with a "wurf board" at work..I stand 80-90% of the time.
Movement for me makes things so much better than sitting.
I also take anti-inflammatories such as turmeric, fish oil, and read that St. John's wart tincture is helpful for back pain so have been taking about 10-15 drops in the morning ( with a little juice because it's bitter).
I know when I don't take these supplements, I do have some pain so I know that I am most likely keeping things at bay.
I prefer not to have to end up back at a doctors office.
I no longer need to use the Tens unit.
I've only had one episode of very bad back and leg pain, and that is because I sat for a period of 20 min on the hard ground and also when I have to take a plane flight and am forced to sit for a prolonged period of time. I am looking for a good seating cushion at this point.
diane55018 peter1980
Posted
Hi Peter
My husband had microdiscetomy 9 weeks ago, all going pretty well until this last week. Now a lot of pain in buttock & legs. Carried a bit of shopping getting ready for Xmas only for a few steps.
Not sure if this has done it or is he not walking enough, difficult with the icy weather etc
Anyone else any advice on this please ?
lisa07056 peter1980
Posted
Hi all
So glad I've found this thread.
Lots of great info and don't take this the wrong way, but nice to know we are not alone during this stress time.
My 17 year old has suffered with his back for 4 years. Finally got him referred for an mri last December which confirmed l4/l5 prolapsed disc. He had steroid injection in April, that gave him a few days relief. He had coreleason surgery in August which gave him 4/5 days relief and then a microdiscectomy on 23rd of October so 11 weeks post op. So seen surgeon and They've re referred him for another mri for end of next month. All though this surgery has relived symptoms a little. The last week he's got severe pain around his op area and we've noticed tonight it's swollen. Hes not due to see surgeon till February. He's on paracetmol, ibuprofen, codeine, gabapentin and amitriptaline and nothing's easing the pain. Do you think it would be advisable to try contact his surgeon or take him to A&e at Sheffield hospital that he's under?
doreen18567 peter1980
Posted
Hello Peter & everyone,
I had a disk decompression and microdisectomy at L4/L5 5 weeks ago and up to now I was doing really well with pain management, so much so my GP put me on lower dosage of gabapentin and codeine with a view to dropping slowly off them completely. Over the last couple of days I have experienced mild back and leg pain but today it is worse and I'm worried that this could mean surgery hasn't worked. I am back on painkillers but reduced dosage but pain is still there. Has anyone else experienced this? Because I have been moving around more freely could this be part of healing process? I haven't started to drive yet as was told to wait until 5-6 weeks post op and have just been doing small amounts of walking and light chores around the house - dusting with a long fibre duster for instance.
I would be interested in post op experiences.
Deriaj peter1980
Posted
I am in almost the same situation. I am not getting any answers from my doctors yet and it seems like I'm never getting out of this pain. I have a knot just to the left of my incision that I can trace all my pain back to so I'm pretty sure something isn't right. its hard and now I'm really depressed because I can't work and can barely take care of my two daughters so everyday is a struggle. Good luck to you, i hope you can get to this so called pain free stuff I kept hearing about before surgery. BTW I'm 7 1/2 weeks past surgery
NEOmatrix peter1980
Posted
Suffered with chronic bk pain all 2019. Was refused MRI 5 separate times. Finally given routine one and cauda equina was discovered at L4/5 level. Had emergency surgery. Immedoate improvement and after 5 weeks felt brand new until at 8 weeks it all relapsed. Then followed another year and a half of chronic pain and refused MRIs before June 14th this year where they relented and yet again found I had cauda equina.
I was given emergency surgery (5 days later) and am now 7 week post op. Nothing has improved. I am in agony all night and all day. Laying with legs bent at knees and bk supported by pillows is the only way I am comfy.
I've had an MRI which shows the disc is bulging again but other than that I apparently should be fine.
My body is noticeably twisted, I hurt just standing up straight and despite doing physio 3 times a day I see little improvement.
I too am still sore to touch in the affected area and wonder if it's just swelling compacting or if lying around for so long prior to surgery has done long term damage?
No medical professionals are interested as surgery done so Jon done in their eyes. I am desperately trying to seek help as cannot spend the rest of my life like this!