Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for micro-d on 6/6/03 and just wondering about post op stuff. I've already accepted the fact that I'm having sx so I'm not too nervous about that, but I need to be prepared for afterwards. I wonder if my dr. is too optimistic. He says I can return to work 2-4 weeks post op. Can anyone tell me what they think? I can sit/stand at will but mostly I sit (at work). I also live 1 hour from work so I wonder if that will hinder my RTW date? Will I be in a lot of pain afterwards? And also, my dr. told me I could go home the same day as surgery depending on how I feel. Any insight? He did tell me that because it's been 14 months from my injury (car accident), there is a strong liklihood I will always have the pain and numbness in my foot (my neurologist didn't refer me to the surgeon until March 2003). I have more questions, but they're not coming to me right now. Hubby and I are getting ready to head out for the holiday weekend. Any tips or advise would be greatly appreciated! Hope everyone has a wonderful, pain free weekend! Thanks
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Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!
You may want to get comfortable & then read thru the 11 pgs of the posts titled "L5-S1 Hemilaminectomy" - it pretty much covers it all - great suggestions, experiences & support from those going thru the same thing.
Good luck on your surgery & come back & chat when everyone's back from Memorial Day wk-end! Laura
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10/02:Per MRI: Hern.Disc L5/S1 * Bulg.Disc L4/L5
03/03:Micro-Discectomy w/Hemilaminectomy L5-S1 (left sd)
08/03:PT @ 5 mos post-op for 6 wks: Results: Back & abdominal strength MUCH better - stretching exercises help only temporarily. Heavy feeling of pressure, restriction thru-out incision area post op. ~scar tissue adhering?
11/03:Working with "Rolfing" expert to release scar tissue - Jury's still out on this procedure
My surgeon is much more cautious than yours. He saw me 10 days post op, then 2 weeks later before he let me drive (and then specified short distances only). If you live an hour from work, it may be as many as 6 weeks before you feel good about the drive. Even then, you will want to limit sitting to 45 minutes at a time (for a total of 4 hours a day). This advice is extremely conservative. Feel free to ignore it.
HNP
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HNP at L4-5 late Sept 2002
3 months PT and Ibuprofen
Reherniation late Feb 2003
Nerve block mid March 2003
Microdiscectomy 4 April 2003
3 months PT (trunk stabilization)
Walk 4 miles daily from now on.
My doc as well is very conservative. I am 13 weeks post op and he still limits we in what I can do. Not that I always follow his advice because I think it is just very general but because I feel better as well. I drive 1 1/2 hours three times a week from LA to Santa Barbara usually pain free. I have to stop half way sometimes but the surgeon said that it was ok for me to drive. I had a hemilaminectomy and a discectomy on L5 S1 and he said driving is ok as long as I am careful about speed bumps and that I have enough strength in my leg in case of an emergency. That seemed to be his biggest concern, reaction. Good luck and I think you will feel much better after your surgery. I know I did.
-Coby
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Chronic back pain for 6 years
Epidurals, PT, occasional relief
Hurt back severely during college football
Ruptured L5 S1 and nerve damage
Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy, medial facectomy on 2-20-03
Pain is getting better every week
Residual numbness and pain in foot, butt, calf
Rehabing at new PT and getting better
Still have numbness and occasional pain in leg
Eric Davis goes to the same PT as me! I'm in good hands!
Thanks for the replies! I kind of thought he was being overly optimistic too. Laura, where in MI are you? I'm in the Holly area. Just came back from Sleeping Bear Dunes (I think that's my favorite part of MI). I plan on reading that long long long post about discectomies but it will take me about 15 min to load (my computer is very old!). Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep in touch.
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Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!
Hi! I'm in Troy. (S.E. MI) We've been here almost 2 months now - seems much longer. There's plenty to do here. Rains more than I expected - is this a typical Spring? Looking forward to "Freedom Hill" & Auburn Hills for concerts/fests/etc. We haven't had a chance to travel much yet - but plan on checking out the Great Lakes this summer - I understand those areas are lush & green & beautiful. We're planning on seeing the nationally famous 4th of July fire works (on the 3rd?) -on the Canadian/Michigan border - Canadian side where there's more room. (We'll try not to get SARS or Mad Cow disease the few hrs we're there) (apologies to any Canadian readers!) :0 We always try to see as much as we can in whatever area we live in.
How about you - what part of Michigan?
Take Care! :smile:
Laura
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10/02:Per MRI: Hern.Disc L5/S1 * Bulg.Disc L4/L5
03/03:Micro-Discectomy w/Hemilaminectomy L5-S1 (left sd)
08/03:PT @ 5 mos post-op for 6 wks: Results: Back & abdominal strength MUCH better - stretching exercises help only temporarily. Heavy feeling of pressure, restriction thru-out incision area post op. ~scar tissue adhering?
11/03:Working with "Rolfing" expert to release scar tissue - Jury's still out on this procedure
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03 (l5/s1), questions? 
Laura
