Microdiscectomy, 6 months post op...still in pain.

02-11-2005, 02:48 PM

Hi all, after suffering for many years i finally underwent a microdiscectomy on L5-S1. After surgery i was not convinced that the problem was rectified as the pre op symptoms were still persisting, however i was told it would take some time to see an improvement.Well here we are at 6 months post op and there is no real improvement, indeed i would say that things are worse as i now find symptoms that were not present before surgery, i.e severe muscle spasms in both my right calf and hamstring, weakness in my right leg (this is slowly improving), and what can best be described as a change in sensation on my right leg. The surgeon who operated requested another MRI which i had a few days ago and depending on the conclusions of this, they are suggesting another microdiscectomy. Now to say i'm not over enthusiastic about undergoing the same surgery again is a bit of an understatement, given that the medics are advising the chances of complications have now doubled and the chances of a successful outcome have now halved. Any of you went for a second microdiscectomy and was it beneficial ? Anyone offer thoughts on the muscle spasms ? My doc was not keen to treat it with medication as he advised that Quinine based meds were not very effective given the severity of the spasms, and the only effective meds that would bring relief would mean i would not be in any fit state to work. Comments on the above gratefully recieved.

02-11-2005, 03:34 PM

Stonecutter:
1st off, Welcome! You have come to a great place... the people here can make light out of anything, which I personally find comforting!

I feel your pain, literally! I too had a lami/mico on L4 thru S1... I too am 7 months post op, and I have no improvement, and actual worsining symptoms as each day passes. Unfortunately I am looking at a possible fusion, rather then another micro/lami.... At any rate, I feel terrible that things aren't looking up for you! Muscle spasms are a real pain - no pun intended... The only thing I can suggest is asking for a muscle relaxer... that might calm your spasms down enough to help. Unfortunately it is more of a band aide effect then a real fix. I would get a 2nd opione and go from there.
Good Luck!
~M~

08-06-2005, 03:29 PM

At 12 moths post-op the contents of post one are still valid.The future looks rather uninspiring at this rate.

08-06-2005, 05:50 PM

What is the success rate or microdiscectomy/laminectomy? So far from the site I've only heard bad things? My next solution to my pain problem is micro/laminectomy. I'm kinda scared hearing that it hasn't worked for people

08-06-2005, 10:02 PM

Stonecutter,

Can't address microdiscectomy even though I've had 8 spine surgeries - all very successful. However, what I can tell you is that with my discectomies, I had instant relief upon waking from surgery and out of the hospital the next day, back to doing most things after a short time of 2-4 weeks, but then my discectomies were standard openings and not micro. Yes, I had a 3-4 inch incision, which did well, pain was minimal and nothing compared to the disc pain, but I'm an older individual and the fact that I had a 3-4 inch scar versus a 1 inch scar meant little compared to the pain I had with the massive herniations.

Hope you are seeing a spine specialist, although I know that general ortho and general neuro's can and do handle many discectomies. However, as you are not having an immediate great outcome, please consider getting an opinion from a spine specialist who is dedicated to working on just spines and has completed a spine fellowship.

Best wishes and let us know how you are doing.

Microdiscectomy, 6 months post op...still in pain.

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