Microdiscectomy anyone?

caspercb
caspercb Posts: 33 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi, apologies if this is in the wrong place. I have 3 prolapsed discs. Feb 2013 I had a Caudal Epidural, fab. Worked a treat for 8 months. 12 months later had a second, again great, but only for 5 weeks. Now I can't feel my right leg by the afternoon. Its numb in the mornings and by afternoon it's gone other than the inside of my calf and the odd shooting pain.

I'm in the UK, thankfully have Private Health insurance. I called up, booked an MRI for Friday and saw the consultant today. L3/4 L4/5 prolapses have improved, L5/S1 has receded laterally but re-prolapsed to the right, not so much back pain (the epidural though is helping with the pain) just loss of sensation which effect walking and muscle strength.

Waffling on. In the next few weeks I'll be going in for a Microdiscectomy. I know everyone is different but looking for ideas on recovery. I realise I won't be returning to my work for quite some time. I look after and compete horses, so regularly lifting 40kg's, running about, driving lorries and riding dressage at a high level, competing at Advanced Medium, schooling Advanced in the UK, level 4 I (I think) in America.

What are peoples recovery experiences? My surgeon suggested reading the AAOS site, recovery seems to vary so much and has confused me more. One page says just to let the wounds heal and crack on 1 - 3 weeks. Others say no lifting or twisting for 6 weeks, with stretches to be done up to 5 times a day for 12 weeks and no sitting down for more than 20 mins and lots of walking aiming for 3 miles. I personally am planning on taking up to 4 months off the horses. Taking it slow, lots of walking, then core strength training, no lifting for 6 - 8 weeks. I want to give my body the best chance of recovery.

Obviously I will follow the advice of my surgeon, I was just wondering if anyone on here had a first had experience of a Microdiscectomy?

Replies

  • caspercb
    caspercb Posts: 33 Member
    Anyone?
  • vastiris
    vastiris Posts: 56 Member
    I have had three epidurals myself, first one worked the best, the last 2 were okay. I too have prolapsed discs, but they're holding off on doing surgery for me until I start losing disc space (turns out, after the epidurals and some babying, my discs actually start to drift back into place). I am new to strength training myself, and have been terrified the whole time of doing damage (so far, so good) and have had to surgeries on my left knee that keeps me slightly off balance.

    In short, I haven't had the surgery, but I do have a vague idea of what you are going through. Honestly, if you are at the point where the parasthesias have gotten this bad, I think you're doing the right thing for yourself, but I honestly don't know anyone who has started up strength training after the surgery, but knowing about 6 people who have had the surgery, I do know the process can be slow and isn't the same for everyone. I would opt for physical therapy afterwards, and let them help you gauge things, but I think you can expect months from what I've heard.

    Good luck to you, and I wish I had better advice!!
  • caspercb
    caspercb Posts: 33 Member
    Vastiris - thank you for replying.

    I'm hoping to be able to start doing strength after 3 months and thinking about getting back on a horse 4 months post op. I've got my surgery date now, 8th May and my pre op in a couple of weeks. Post op physio will be discussed then too. For once in my life I will be a perfect patient and do as I'm told, recovery will take time, be brain numbingly boring, but it will be worth it.

    Wishing you all the best for your back.
  • vastiris
    vastiris Posts: 56 Member
    Hey, I couldn't find this post to check in with you, but I just found the search option :)

    How did the surgery go? I hope not too badly, hope the pain is under control. I know you're still in recovery, but best of luck for physio... it's not particularly fun, but keep your head up, you'll do great. As far as the 3 month recovery time, that sounds reasonable and at that point, regular daily activities should be much better. But please, do me one favor, with whatever you plan on doing - If something feels wrong, take a step back. I know that we get into thinking that pushing through pain means strength, but I don't want to see you hurt yourself. You will get there in time, I promise, but give yourself the time you need. Small steps are key, don't be afraid to say when enough is enough.

    That's all for now.... heal up!!!
  • caspercb
    caspercb Posts: 33 Member
    Hey, thank you. I'm doing great. I stayed in hospital for one night, that evening I was sat / propped up to eat my dinner, rested my feet on the metal strut of the over bed table and almost leapt, my right foot suddenly felt the cold metal, having not had proper sensation in my leg for quite a while it came as a shock, my parents had come to visit and they really thought something was wrong from my reaction.

    First few days out of hospital I didn't feel up to doing much, anaesthetic takes it out of me. I behaved, didn't twist, bend, lift much (keeping it under 1kg is bit unrealistic) pretty much did as I was told. Find when I do to too much the pain is instant. Had my first physio session after 3 weeks, the wound was assessed, it's healed really well. I've been given 8 sets of stretches to do 3x a day and I'm allowed 3 good 20minutes walks at 3mph (3 miles fair walking pace a day ) and inbetween I'm to rest and remember to massage the surgery site twice a day, move the flesh about to aid in healing and break up scar tissue and pootle about, just no sitting for more than 15 mins at a time and still no lifting more than 1kg!

    I've read on quite a few specific back sites that problems often occur around the 8 weeks stage, 2 months post op. People just doing too much, you feel great, you are healed but still weak, will heed your advice "If something feels wrong, take a step back".

    So it's going to be a steady road to recovery ahead but if it means it gives me the best shot at healing properly it's fully worth 3 - 4 months of healing, simple strengthening and then further months of gradually regaining fitness and strength.

    So all in all it's going great and I'm Very very happy =D
  • blakedebo
    blakedebo Posts: 130 Member
    Glad to hear you are feeling well! In March 2013 I had a discectomy on my L 4/5 and S1. I had excruciating sciatica and the whole time from MRI to surgery was very quick,as the herniation was so severe the doctors believed PT would not be beneficial. My surgery was fantastic, I went home that night- did my best to not bend, lift or twist for 6 weeks- this was very hard with a 1 and 3 year old home, but luckily DH was able to take some time off. Now, a year later, I still feel fantastic!
  • blakedebo
    blakedebo Posts: 130 Member
    and yes, don't try and do too much too soon, but keep moving!
  • emy_r
    emy_r Posts: 213 Member
    Hi, I also had a microdiscectomy in 2003. (L5/S1). I believe my doctor prescribed aquatic therapy at first and then some light strength training. It's been a long time! I know that I did lots of walking. My back has been great since. I have a couple of episodes a year of back pain (I also have some bulging discs), but I just take it easy and it resolves on its own. I stopped exercising a few years ago, and I'm just now getting back into it. I'm still very cautious with my back just because I know how bad life can seem when you have serious problems with your back.

    My daughter who rides horses had spinal fusion surgery to correct severe scoliosis last July. She was able to start riding again at around the 4 month mark. However, she began slowly, just walking for a couple of weeks, then moved up to trotting, and I think cantering/jumping at around the 6 month mark. She competed in her first horse show post surgery in March of this year. She's actually at a schooling show this week and won reserve champion in the Adult Hunters. I was very worried that her riding would be affected by her back surgery, but so far she is coming back strong. I remember her biggest issue when she started riding again was having someone help her tack up and then needing the mounting block to get off her horse. Her surgeon's sister was a horsewoman, and so he was very knowledgeable about the sport. He also understood her passion for horses and riding. I think some doctors are much more cautious in giving you the okay to get back on a horse.

    Wishing you the best in your recovery!
  • caspercb
    caspercb Posts: 33 Member
    Thank you both emy_r and blakedebo for your replies. Both really encouraging. Blakedebo, I find I have to be careful just looking after 4 dogs and myself let alone having little ones to care for. Fantastic news you are doing great a year on.

    Emy_r, riding is most defiantly my passion, dressage mainly, competing up to Advanced/ Medium, schooling above that. My Mum was competing last week, I laid out in the lorry living as she drove, then at the comp mooched about and called her test. Tacking up the saddle square got caught up under the saddle, I went to pull it out, nooooo bad idea. Ouch!! Hearing first hand stories about people getting back on their horses after spinal surgery is great and congrats to your daughter for doing so well getting reserve champion. I'll remember the mounting block tip for dismounting.
  • vastiris
    vastiris Posts: 56 Member
    YAY! I'm so glad to hear you're doing well!!! :)

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