I just saw my ortho spine surgeon who said I should have a discectomy to remove a big piece of disc (in the L5-S1 area) that's sitting on my nerves. I was wondering if anyone else has had this sort of surgery and whether or not is was helpful? My doctor said he couldn't guarantee that the surgery would help the numbness, weakness from the nerves being compressed but that it would help the sciatica pain. I'm really not sure what to do. :confused:

my husband had 2 disks removed in nov 2004. immediately had relief down his leg, hip and groin. Sorry to say it all came back with a vengeance about a month ago. had an MRI done last friday. won't know the results until he sees his dr. again hopefully tomorrow.

I just saw my ortho spine surgeon who said I should have a discectomy to remove a big piece of disc (in the L5-S1 area) that's sitting on my nerves. I was wondering if anyone else has had this sort of surgery and whether or not is was helpful? My doctor said he couldn't guarantee that the surgery would help the numbness, weakness from the nerves being compressed but that it would help the sciatica pain. I'm really not sure what to do. :confused:
Did you ever have discectomy?? I am now considering again one year after previously scheduled and 2 years after just recently 7th epidural, more PT, yadda yadda. Have lost 2 years of my life and newest MRI shows larger herniation (L5-S1) with lots of stenosis and arthrosis on L's and something at L4-L5 also (don't have MRI handy)....Please respond if you had surgery! Thank you and hope you are better!
Sam

hey tlc ,
what kind of pain or symptoms are you having, have you tried more conservative methods such as shots ,pt, medications, ect.... The l5-s1 area micr-d is mainly done to help with sciatic leg pain from butt to toes, alot of times this surgery does help with weakness and numbness, but most docs wont operate unless pain is present... how long have you been experiencing this problem? There are alot of people here who have had surgery and can help with questions so ask away..... bass

I had a disectomy 4 weeks ago and was doing very well up until last week. I now have terrible pain when I get up in the morning and it takes approx. 2 hours before I can move around without horrible pain. I get some relief during the day by reclining, taking pain medicine and using a heating pad. My surgeon did tell me up front that this might not work. He really wanted me to consider a fusion, but right now it is out of the question. I am going to see the surgeon this week. I am hoping that I am still in a healing process, but I really don't believe it. The surgery is worth a try if you are in enough pain. good luck !!!!

Hello , I had an open traditional discectomy of the lumbar spine (l4-l5) about a year ago. The pain was horrible pre surgery. After the surgery my leg felt better and Im still going strong.... no pain ... GO FOR IT ...

good luck

I had a microdiscectomy at L5-S1 in September of 2006. My symptoms included a significant foot drop/weakness, sciatica pain, numbness in the lower left leg, and lots of low back pain. I could not walk for more than about 10 feet without having to stop to recover from the pain.

I think my surgery was a success. The foot weakenss has improved a lot, but I still have numbness and some nerve pain in my foot. Relatively speaking, however, it is much improved.

Unfortunately, I have reherniated the same disc and have lost most of the the disc height at that level so I am having other problems now, but the surgery itself seemed to work. In fact, the pain I experienced in recovery was nothing like the pain I had endured before getting it done.

The doctor who did my surgery told me that he could not promise that my symptoms would get better, but that he felt the chances were very good that surgery would keep them from getting worse. It was not exactly the news I wanted to hear, but in the end the surgery did make things much better.

I can tell you more if you want ... best wishes.

Hi, had a discectomy 5 weeks ago. I was great for approx. 2 1/2 weeks and now have pain in a completly different area. I can hardly walk in the am without holding on to the furniture. It gets gradually better during the day but I am never pain free. I see the Dr. tomorrow, and hopefully he can tell me if this is "normal", will it get better? As for the surgery itself, it was a breeze and relatively little post op pain. Hope you do well. Edna

Hi, I had a discectomy 1/06. My surgery was at noon and I was sent home at 6:00PM the same day. I had sciatic pain that decreased weekly and by week 8 I felt great and ready to go. The pain from the surgery was very minimal for me. I had about a 4 in incision in my back. Be very careful not to overdo it after you feel better. I did (excercising, weight lifting, running, etc) and feel that is why I had to have a fusion 7 weeks ago. My advice is to go for it, and take care of your back when you feel better.................................D ebbi