Laminectomy for lumbar stenosis

Mistina

Hi there!
I am 3 months post op from laminectomy/discectomy. I know that it is definetely gradual. It can take a good year or so to heal after a lamy. My doctor said that I was doing well but had a ways to go still. I know my first 6-8 weeks were pretty crappy then I started to feel 'well' again. I have alot of back pain though from the bone growth and enlargement of my facet joints. I went back to work 2 weeks ago and it has gotton to be real hard on me but before that it was improving. I know it is a long process but sometimes you may feel like your just getting no where when you have a flare. It is like taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. It takes time. It's not something that happens over night. How does your back feel? Did they have to cut through your muscles and ligaments?
My big problem now is swelling at the surgery site. I went back to work and it is flaring over the incision where he did all the bone removal from the spurs. I can tell ya, it is definetely a process. But, you just having a leg problem, recovery for that is probably much less!~ Just remember that walking is the best. Probably not yet though. I was walking 30 minutes a day before coming back to work as it has set me back.
I wish you luck and keep us posted on your recovery. Any questions that you have I'll try to answer.

Mistina


[QUOTE=Kokomo]HI- I am two weeks past L4/5(one level) laminectomy for lumbar stenosis which radiated pain down both legs. Feeling fairly optimistic. While I feel definite pain relief, I wanted to know if anyone is aware of how long you will continue to experience improvement, and if there is a gradual or largely a more immediate relief of pain just following surgery. I had no other surgery as it was indicated for relief of leg pain only. Am interested in anything people could share about their laminectomy.
thanks, Kokomo[/QUOTE]

StillWater

Kokomo,

It's encouraging to hear that you're doing well. I know I will have to have surgery, but don't have it scheduled yet. Out of the 3 surgeons I've seen, the one I trust most says that a medial laminectomy and facetectomy is what he recommends. One of the others said I need a fusion, and the second one I saw said maybe laminectomy and maybe fusion. I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time making a final decision. I'm really glad to hear from you though. Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

StillWater

sherwoodman

hello there i am almost 6 weeks post op..doing well but still no bending twisting or lifting over 10lbs,,,next dr appt is on the 7th of oct and not sure what to expect there . all and all doing very well better than i thought i would be but the key to all is time,,,walking is great ... i had L4 ANDL5 LAMI AND DISCECTOMY,,so i had two levels done ....all my leg pain and hip pain is gone also my knees are doing better but the back pain at the surgical sight is still there but very tolerable...on a scale from 1 to 10 about a 4>>> hoping in time to be pain free,,,or atleast a little better than i am now...any way keep us posted on your progress thanks brian

teteri66

Kokomo ~ I believe you had just the laminectomy, right? Often this is done as part of another procedure, as is the case with the other posters. From your post, I think you had the laminectomy only.

If that is the case, I should think you will heal fairly quickly. Most people experience leg pain relief right away...but it all depends on how badly the nerve or nerves were compressed, how much inflammation there is, etc. If your pain is stemming from an irritated nerve, it can take a long time for it to recover. Nerves heal very slowly and it is not unusual for it to take up to 12 months...sometimes longer.