Sciatica, Leg Pain, Radiculopathy
Posted on: Tue, 08/19/2008 - 16:03
Update on Micro Discectomy

Hello guys, Bit of an update and a few questions................................................................. Finally got my date for my op for 4th September, scared but pleased Ive now got a date, Having a microdiscectomy for L5/L4 S1. Trying to sort out after care as I live on my own with my 12 year old daughter, so some questions:-

Will they put a catheter in me?
How soon will I be on my feet and able to walk?
How long am I likely to be in hospital for?
Im in the UK if this is any help.

Thanks, any info would be gladly received

Sally xxx

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Sally-Anne

Micro Discectomy on L5 S1 on 4th September 2008. Back pain on and off for 12 years since having my daughter. Signed off work May 20th 2008.
33 yr old single mum


Posted on: Tue, 08/19/2008 - 16:40 #1
Hi Sally-Anne

Glad that you have a date set.About after surgery care.I live in the States,but it is the same procedure,right.
So,I started walking a few hours after surgery.Was in the hosp over night.No catheters.
The sooner you start walking the better,but use caution.You'll need help for a week or so since your range of motion will be limited.Remember to avoid bending,twisting and lifting.
If you have more questions,I might have more answers. Eye-wink

Cheers,G.

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10 yrs of back pain,MicroD at L4/5,12/22/07.Spinal infection post op,still recovering.Bulging discs L2/3/4;Central protrusion at L5/S1.Other than those,no complaints from life,or whatever is left from it....

There's someone in my head,but it's not me...

Posted on: Tue, 08/19/2008 - 20:38 #2
I live in the US also. I

I live in the US also. I went home the day after my microD. I had the surgery around 3 in the afternoon and went home around noon the next day.

As far as the catheter goes I woke up without one in me and was able to get up and go to the bathroom in the hospital about an hour after I woke up. Just be sure they help you go to the bathroom and show you how to roll out of bed properly with your back brace on so as not to bend your back.

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Microdiscectomy L5-S1 in 2005
Microdiscectomy L5-S1 May 21 2008
Disc reherniates ESI= Epidural Steroid Injection June 2008
Improving and back to walking and bike riding end of June 2008
PT is going well. I am off of all prescription pain meds. I'm also off all over the counter pain meds. The things that helped me the most after my disc reherniated were the ESI and taking Neurontin. Those two things got me back on my feet and walking every day and also gave me the ability to start physical therapy which has helped me a lot. See there is life after a microD and a reherniation.
38 years old

I'm released from physical therapy and joined a gym. I'm now on my own with the PT exercises, still going well. I do treadmill no incline, exercise bike, weight machines, exercise ball, exercise bands, swimming. All weight machines and ball and band exercises I was trained by my PT to do properly. I also cannot just do any weight machine. Some are not safe for spineys.

Posted on: Wed, 08/20/2008 - 06:01 #3
Thanks guys, thats really

Thanks guys, thats really helpful. The hospital have said I will need to stay in a minimum of 2 nights and then Im going to stay at my friends for a few days. If I think of anymore questions I will get back on here, Thanks

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Sally-Anne

Micro Discectomy on L5 S1 on 4th September 2008. Back pain on and off for 12 years since having my daughter. Signed off work May 20th 2008.
33 yr old single mum

Posted on: Thu, 08/21/2008 - 05:11 #4
operation advice

hi there i am in uk. Monday I had my surgery and you have to lie flat on your back all day and night proceeding surgery. Next day the physiotherapist gets you up and shows you how to move . Then you are allowed to go home with your medicines etc. You have to get some one to change your dressing every day till the 5th day when a district nurse has to come in and check your wound and remove clips . I did not have clips mine will dissolve so depends on what your surgeon reccomends. Not sure your daughter can change the dressing, so you will have to tell them for a nurse to come in daily.

It is different in states so don't go by what they tell you. You must not do anything for first few days just the exercises 4 times a day and rest . You will feel tired a lot and certainly your daughter will have to look after her self for a while. Hope that helps don't worry you will be fine okay. You will have to wear stockings that they will give you to prevent blood clots. I like them keep you warm.
The first night of operation have every pain killer you can take that i promise will be the worst , then you will be okay , I am not in pain at minute just back hurts where wond is thats all . Good luck you will be fine . zolenniaq

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L5 S1 microdiscectomy 18th August. Pain 9mths recovering at home now.

Posted on: Thu, 08/21/2008 - 05:30 #5
Welcome Zolenniaq

Hi and welcome to Spine-Health. Below is a link to some pointers our moderator Ron put together to help new members with the forum.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact (PM) any one of the Moderators here Priestess , Bruce , Paulgla , DiLauro

Again welcome.......Paul

For an introduction, Click on :

Welcome To Spine-Health

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Cervical myelopathy, 15 surgeries to date, Severe OA, bilateral knee replacements, DDD, 13 MRI’s, 4 sets of spinal cortisone procedures and dozens of cortisone shots in other areas for OA. Upcoming scheduled surgeries include laminectomy and removal of synovial cyst located at left facet joint of L4-L5 (may require fusion); Right resection of A-C joint (left was done 12 years ago, by far the most painful of all my surgeries)

Posted on: Thu, 08/21/2008 - 21:50 #6
Everyone is Different

on how recovery goes. You may need to prepare not to be able to twist and use tissue after bowel movement. You may need an extra reach thing since you will not be able to pick underwear up off floor, etc. Good luck and I hope that it goes as well for you as the others that posted.

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I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic Microdiscectomy,Laser Surgery
Methadone, Percocet, Soma, Welbutrin

Posted on: Mon, 08/25/2008 - 09:03 #7
OMG.... only 10 days to go until Microdiscectomy

Im getting really nervous now!!!!!! Will they put a catheter in me??? I have been told they will keep me in for a minimum of 2 nights so hopefully they will let me go soon after that. Weird thing is the lower back pain and leg pain is not as bad as it has been?!?!?!?! but still got numbness in my left bum cheek and back of my left left and 2 toes. Keep taking tablets for a urine infection but have a funny feelings my bladder is playing up in connection with my numbness??? Anyone else have any ideas on this????

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Sally-Anne

Micro Discectomy on L5 S1 on 4th September 2008. Back pain on and off for 12 years since having my daughter. Signed off work May 20th 2008.
33 yr old single mum

Posted on: Tue, 08/26/2008 - 17:36 #8
I live in MI. I didn't have

I live in MI. I didn't have a catheter, but wished that I would have! I had to wait until my brace was delivered at the hospital before I was allowed to move about. SO in the mean time, I had to use a bed pan. That was SO embarrassing. I went in on Monday and came home Tuesday. My sciatica is about 85% gone. I still have the numbness, but that is a small price to pay. The difference is like night and day.

Good Luck!

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L5S1 Disk Herniation
July 21, 2008 Microdiscectomy