After he thoroughly poked and prodded on me and checked out the results of my MRI, he recommended a microdiscectomy. I am kind of nervous about getting surgery done even though he told me that there is about a 90% success rate. Can anyone offer up some opinions on the surgery, recovery, etc? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mark

Mark, I'm not that familiar with microdiscectomies, but I saw no one had replied yet. I believe there are folks on this board who have had them. I also think there are some people on the spinal cord board who have had them. I believe (from what little I know) that they're not that invasive as compared to fusion surgeries and the hope is to avoid that step. You can search previous threads, too, in the "search" bar in the upper lefthand side on this page.

Good luck!
- Margaret

I feel like I am dieing today... my back is so freaking sore and my leg feels like its in a constant spasm. I still haven't called to schedule the surgery... I am just so apprehensive after reading all the posts on here about how bad things are afterwards... this really sucks

Mark,

Please realize that the vast majority of the people hanging around the board are those that have had surgery recently, continue to have problems after surgery, and those considering surgery. The majority of the patients who have had successful surgery are out there busy living their life and really don't care to spend their time on the board.

I hope this helps you some.

Pepper

Hi Mark, of course only you can make the decision whether or not to have surgery and if your pain doesnt go away and really starts affecting your usual life, you may one day decide to do it. It is a scary thing. I know I was apprehensive about having laminectomies done. But my pain just got unbearable and I really couldnt walk anymore and couldnt enjoy anything so I finally caved in.

I also read on here many stories of bad outcomes, but I also read good ones. Luckily, I also was able to speak with a few patients of my surgeon and they had good outcomes. (my surgeon did not refer them to me or anything...I happened to go to physical therapy with them and we all live about an hour and 1/2 from where my surgeon is). I have also read that some disc surgeries may not be as invasive with much shorter recovery times. I'm sure some others will be able to offer more advice on that procedure. Though you might want to make another post with Microdiscectomy in the Subject title or something...that might bring more attention to it for you.

Hi Mark,

Just wanted to reply to your thread. I had a micro-d on L4/L5 in 2004. I felt the same way you did about the surgery. I can't imagine anyone not being nervous about any surgery. For me, the surgery had to be done very quickly. My pain was no longer tolerable. I felt relief right away when I woke from the surgery and was able to go home that same day. I had to be out of work for 3 weeks. At the time I was a high school teacher and on my feet all day long. I am hoping that your doctor has recommended PT after your recovery. I didn't have PT since my surgeon didn't say anything about it. The reason why I am saying this is that, everything was really good for me up until June '06. I have had pain since and have reherniated the same disc and have other problems too. This is not to say that this will happen to you. I am not trying to freak you out or anything. I am glad that I had the surgery. Take it very easy after the surgery. Follow the doctors orders completely. No lifting, bending, twisting. Even after 3 weeks of being away from my job, I was still sore from recovering. I hope this helps. I just wanted to share my experience with you. If you have any questions, please ask away.

Angie :)

Thank you all for the replies, I called the scheduler for the Dr. yesterday afternoon and left a message on his VM, hoping he calls back today. I have a whole list of things to do and what to expect, 30 days of iron supplements pre/post surgery, donation of two units of blood 15 days prior, PT starting afterwards. My doctor said that his patients average about 10 days of "downtime" after the surgery.... I know this varies from person to person, and I am typically a quick healer so I am praying that I am on the low end of recovery time. I work for a small company that relies on me being here. I am just afraid of not being able to sit for extended periods of time since it is pretty much what I do 9 hrs a day plus a half hour drive to/fro. I think driving hurts the worse actually... I would rather get hit with a hot poker than extend my leg forward.


ETA: Just wanted to add that surgery has been set up for Oct.1st, no anti-inflammatory medicine for a week prior to surgery, thats going to hurt.