Microdiscectomy surgery worked like a dream for me !! I ...

I was scared, the opp had complications and I took 12 months to recover..... however .... I am fit as a fiddle now , no pain whatsoever and however grim it was for those 12 months I have to say knowing the pain free life I now live, it was worth it . Completely and utterly worth it and have no regrets. I think we learn to live with pain (I had) and to be free of that burden is amazing !

I would recommend this opp

How fantastic who was the surgeon?

Unfortunately I paid privately and my prolapsed disc was no better but it was l4\5 now i have 3 levels so guess I am at the end of the tunnel but maybe there is a help after well.

I bet you are over the moon but take care slowly slowly.I think you have been really lucky so please share the surgeons name. I would do anything after nearly 12 years to have someone competent.

Hi there,

I've recently just had myself the same surgery. A microdiscectomy for L5/S1.

Previous to this the level of training was a lot. And over the months of pain before my operation I was limited to certain movements because of this sciatic pain etc.

Now I know it's all dependant on the individual regarding recovery. But I am bow nearly two weeks post op ( still fresh ) and still have sciatic pain which is to be expected obviously. You mention how your swimming and doing stuff in the gym by weeks three? Did you attempt anything before hand or when you started feeling better of course?

I'm not worrying but it's good to get a guide, and I think your the first post I've seen where you have been active a lot more than others post surgery.

Any feed back would be hugely appreciated.

Clarkey

Hi my brother has this and been a year had the injection and nothing he has had enough wants to kill him self to get the pain away crying u name it on all sort meds tramdol. Am trying to do some research do u no what name of the private place u went at all any help much appreciated ty

It says you posted this 13 years ago?? What's it like now?

Good Morning..

I had a Microdiscectomy on August 20th 2020. It was a huge decision for me and one that made me feel really nervous and stressed; more than I have ever been in my life. My tale begins in February 2020 , when lower back pain and symptoms of sciatica include shooting pain in my bottom and the backs of my legs. The pain was chronic and I had never felt anything like previously, I was 51 and my life was active. I had been running 10 miles a week for the last 10 years without fail. From my teens to my 40s I had played football, 3 games a week. Although I had back pain, I ran it off and I just assumed it was stiffness with old age. But in February 2020 it hit me like a volcano. I tried the NHS first and they gave me a MRI AND AN X -RAY after my 6th or 7th visit , their first option was take pain killers. Eventually after the results of the above scans my GP stated this will get better with time, no further treatment is recommended. Personally I knew something was wrong with my body, the pain did get better somewhat but I couldn't move or pick anything up; and certainly couldn't run or compete in any sports. Fortunately I had health insurance and had never used them in 20 odd years unbelievable and I was assigned an Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. He saw me and examined me, within two hours he insisted on an MRI and X-ray on the same day. I had a follow up appointment two days later and he stated there and then that Physiotherapy, injections and other forms of back manipulation would not help me. I needed a microdiscectomy for my L4/L5 disc bulge but he said by all means try other treatments and then come and see me. I tried acupuncture, chiropractors and painkillers over 6 months - none of them worked. In - fact the the chiropractor who claimed to be the best made the pain worse. I certainly wouldn't let a chiropractor near me again that is my opinion.

After all this , I finally decided on a Microdiscectomy....by an Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. I know nothing about neurosurgeon for a discectomy and not an orthopaedic surgeon....sorry. After the operation I was stiff and then had right arm numbness and pain in my forearm for 2 weeks. The back was bad 3 weeks afterwards too and I was regretting the surgery, stiffness, I couldn't sit down, couldn't pick anything up etc etc....

But I am now nearly 9 weeks post operation and fingers crossed it is better. I am bending again for the first in years without real pain and although still feel some numbness in arms or hands it is getting better. My advice is have the surgery , the quicker the better......I was lucky I had private health insurance and took 3 months of work that was crucial. I won't run now until April or May 2021 but I am walking up to 5 miles a day without major pain. The physio works now not before the operation....

I was stressed out but my body was fit, So I was lucky. My consultant told me afterwards that in the end he only took minimal percentage of the bulge and it was the nerve route and passage that was the problem. I had bone spurs that needed cleaned up and all the back manipulation would not have helped my situation. I am willing to help anyone with a chat or email on this because it was the most traumatic time of my life. But I am back at work in November and my back and stiffness are getting better.

please feel free to contact me...someone who has been through a microdiscectomy.

So glad this has worked for you so well. That's brilliant. I have had mechanical low back pain for 20 years due to bulging discs at 3 levels. Finally one prolapsed in July this year and i had an emergency discectomy because of numbness in feet and groin area (cauda equina).. Strangely i had very little nerve pain with it.

Now 6 months on I'm getting strange nerve symptoms (pain, tingling, burning, freezing etc.) in feet, lower legs, also arms and chest! Neurologist thinks just slow recovery.

Also struggling to recover activity with a lot of mechanical back pain which gets worse the more i try to do. I'm ok first thing in morning but worse as the day goes on. Sitting only possible for 5-10 mins. Mostly lying down to get relief. Can still only walk a few hundred yards or so. Otherwise it punishes me the next day ..

Does this chime with anyone?

thank you so much for this! I am 28 in a few days and suffering with literally exactly the same thing! I have been in agony for months now and my next option is surgery although i am absolutely petrified about this. reading this post has really helped me so thank you!