You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. It's not always easy to precisely diagnose the symptoms related to nerve irritation around the spine. PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. Our physicians serve as innovators in technology, actively participate in national and international research studies, and areatthe forefront of medical knowledge. surgery. If the source of your discomfort wasn't accurately diagnosed, a nerve that sends signals to your legs may still be compressed. During the initial 2 weeks after a microdiscectomy surgery, the pain is most intense. Back pain can grow progressively worse and more disabling, depending on the cause. However, "it's important that patients get "back in the game" during lumbar discectomy recovery as quickly as possible," Dr. Liu says. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. According to a study in the Journal of Neurosurgery, outpatient microdiscectomy is 75 to 80 percent effective at eliminating sciatica pain caused by disc herniation. The great thing is that there is NO pain in my back!!!! He refers to a study, published July 2017 in the journal, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, which indicated that patients who did not limit their activities during the healing process actually returned to work sooner than those who adhered to specific restrictions. Ideally, after an L4-L5 matrix microdiscectomy, you should get pain relief. For example, your surgeon may perform a lumbar microdiscectomy to remove the herniated portionof a lumbar discin your lower back. Before going home,someone will instruct youon how to care for the incision site, along with activities to avoid. Post-Surgery Inflammation Shortly after a discectomy or a less invasive microdiscectomy is completed, you may not immediately notice any pain until the anesthesia wears off. For instance, if a herniated disc was irritating a nerve for a while before your surgery, it could take a few weeks or more for the affected part of the nerve to fully heal and recover. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. Now considered the gold standard treatment forremovingherniated lumbar disc tissue, a microdiscectomy procedure is an ultra-precise method that requires only atinyincisioncausing minimal disruption to surrounding healthy tissue. While it is hoped that any accompanying back pain . Your browser is out of date. Barricaid is FDA-approved for sale in the U.S. Barricaid is not available in Europe.For complete risk-benefit information:barricaid.com/instructions-for-use, Potential Reasons for Lingering Leg Pain Following a Microdiscectomy, A microdiscectomy is a fairly common type of spine surgery, and its one that often produces beneficial results, including a noticeable decrease in discomfort. The movements you notice that increase symptoms all stretch the nerve root so this would be expected for 4-12 weeks. Buttock pain after a minimally invasive keyhole discectomy procedure is most often nerve-related. However, some patients may have lingering leg painone of the classic symptoms associated with spinal nerve irritationafter microdiscectomy surgery. Another reason that the pain could be continuing is because of an unsuccessful surgery, which is a risk one takes before undergoing the procedure. Good night. However, long-term LBP due to degenerative changes in the disc may occur postoperatively . The two year anniversary of my microdiscectomy recently passed and I thought I should write an update on the long term effects of a microdiscectomy! Sciatica is a pain condition caused by compression of the spinal nerve. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following, Postoperative alif fusion pain in back of both legs, I have severe left hip and groin pain after a fusion. In this instance, treating the secondary source of pain may involve massage therapy, medication, and similar nonsurgical options.It Could Be Due to Scar Tissue or Other PossibilitiesPostoperative leg pain is sometimes caused by the formation of scar tissue. What should I do, other than physical therapy.. My leg is getting slimmer than the other and I am scared Its been six months already. Peekawho is right..you probably need a dose pack of steroids..I had the same problem after my discectomy..they put me on a dose pack, and after the first pill, the pain in my butt and down my leg went away..hang in there..my surgeon explained it this way."the reason you are experiencing that pain, is because the nerve that has been pressed on Although weakness has improved, pain and burning sensation has also reduced, I cannot stil lift my foot from the ankle or make a single twist or movement of my toes.. No dorsiflexion or plantar flexion, MRI results revealed thickened edematuos(10mm) sciatic nerve plexus on the left side with grade 1 muscle edema within the gluteus maximus, sub acute denervation muscle changes in the form of combination of athropy /fatty replacement along the territory of the injured sciatic nerve, During therapy, when The (EMS) machine pads are placed on myL5region using interrupted currents, my muscles contract and my foot is lifted up but when faradic current is set It doesnt contract, what could this mean? Microdiscectomy Candidates In NYC As a patient, knowing the telltale signs ofreherniationafter microdiscectomy surgery will help ensurethat you get the care you deserve. Is there a way to increase my physical fitness before work, so that the chance of having pain during the workday stays minimal? Even though most lumbar microdiscectomies are done on an outpatient basis, complications could dictate that you remain in the hospital for up to 72 hours. Microdiscectomy is surgery to remove part or all of a bulging or damaged (herniated) disc in the lower spine. The pain and other symptoms are typically relieved in a couple of months. Thus, we know there is a 3-6% risk of a recurrent disc problem happening after lumbar discectomy surgeries. Note:Reherniationdoes not occur with total discectomy because the entire disc has already been removed. For full benefit/risk information, please visit. Research has established that the SI joint is the source of pain in nearly half of patients who experience new or continued low back pain after fusion surgery. I received 2 spinal injections to try to calm the inflamation and nothing worked. Piriformis syndrome after lumbar spine surgery was defined as persistent or newly developed sciatica after surgery, sciatic notch tenderness and induced sciatica, and positive Freiberg sign. This fragment can push on the nerve root, which causes the pain to occur. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. Sometimes after a discectomy, scar tissue forms near the nerve root and can cause extreme burning or nerve pain even if the surgery was successful in relieving the initial pain. procedure may eventually be discussed and recommended. Diskectomy works best for treating pain that travels down the arms or legs from a compressed nerve. Although most patients enjoy noticeable pain relief immediately following the surgery, nerve recovery after a lumbar discectomy is dependent on a variety of factors. Dr. Cross notes that SI joints normally move less than 1 millimeter. About 2 weeks after lumbar microdiscectomy, most patients begin to experience significantly less pain and higher energy level. is a procedure used to remove all or part of a herniated disc when damaged discs are causing pain, numbness, and weakness ina patientslegs and back. Instead, take up walking, swimming, or another low-impact form of exercise. By ignoring the pain, you mayalso be neglectinga serious issue that could cause long-term damage. Its just a sort of sensitivity I havent had since the surgery. Standing, walking, swimming wasn't a big issue, however sitting down was . There can still be chances of symptoms despite a successful surgery due to the body mechanics. Dr. Liu also suggests that patients continue the herniated disc surgery recovery process by walking short distances during the first couple weeks after surgery and gradually building endurance until they can walk two to three miles a day. We strive toofferefficient and professional. However, if leg pain continues after 2 or 3 months, talk to your doctor or surgeon.The Initial Diagnosis Might Have Been IncorrectAccording to Spine Health, the top reason for leg pain after a microdiscectomy or similar decompression procedure is an incorrect initial diagnosis. Work hardening is a specialty in physical therapy so you might contact a specialist to see if they can help you. In the case of recurrent back pain accompanied bysciatica(pain radiating down the back of the leg) after total discectomy, another discmay have become herniated. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Regarding your situation, I think pain is normal after a microdiscectomy. Still, Dr. Liu cautions that, during the first couple weeks following surgery, patients should avoid repeatedly bending or twisting, lifting anything heavier than five or six pounds, driving, or performing tasks like lawn mowing, sweeping, shoveling snow or dirt, doing the laundry, running, jogging or other activities that can overly tax back muscles. In this article, we are going to walk through the potential causes of buttock pain after spinal discectomy surgery. By 6 weeks post-surgery, most patients discontinue pain medication, however, it is still possible to have painful flare-ups or stiffness that requires medication. During this time, the incision will likely become inflamed and there may be some drainage. All me back pain was home as soon as Hey All. by your doctor. Did I herniated my disc again by starting to walk and even drive too soon after the surgery -- the next day? Before surgery, I couldnt do this without there being a sharp, stabbing pain in my back, when lifting either leg, especially on the right side. If you or a loved one suffer from backor neckpain,call The Spine Center today at, once per month - call 847-628-8147 to confirm, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), Total Disc Arthroplasty & Total Disc Replacement, Non-operative Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis, Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. "Do what's comfortable. Minimize your risk forreherniationby not smoking, watching your weight, and eating a balanced, back-healthy diet. Still, because lower back pain can be the result of other problems apart from a bulging and/or herniated disc, it may persist after the surgery. Your surgeon will start with conservative treatment options in the form of pain medications, physical therapy, and activity modification. For patients with strenuous or physically demanding jobs,waiting three months or longer before resuming physical work activities is the norm. This . In fact, in many situations, it's often possible to treat or manage lingering leg pain following a microdiscectomy with nonsurgical techniques. So I can move my chin to my chest further, for example. Finding the actual source of your discomfort following an initial microdiscectomy may involve: It Could Be Due to Scar Tissue or Other Possibilities. Contact: Orthopedic and Spine Institute. I have been careful with avoiding sitting. The doctor put surgical tools through the . Special caution must be exercised for patients who have decreased skin sensation at the surgical site and/or pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes. For now I am taking pain mediciation to cope with the pain. The management of a re-herniated disc is much like the primary disc prolapse. The bones help protect the cord . Endoscopic microdiscectomy is usually performed in the lumbar (lower) region of the back after the failure of more conservative therapeutic measures, such as light exercise, medications, hot or cold compresses, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, and epidural injections, to relieve the nerve pain of a herniated disc, according to Dr. Liu. , the top reason for leg pain after a microdiscectomy or similar decompression procedure is an incorrect initial diagnosis. . If you haven't seen them, here are two videos I made in which I explain how I feel during the first day and third day after surgery: I took muscle relaxants for the first two weeks or so for the initial microdiscectomy recovery period. Hi, I am new to the forum, I suffered gunshot injury to my left buttocks and I have a footdrop, numbness on the foot and on the parts distal to the nerve Its been 6months of physical therapy. I have a sitting job, 3 hours total commuting per day. The risk of falling is too great and I'd hate to damage what good has already been done. Some days, there's lesser pain and soreness. please update to most recent version. Spinal discectomy surgery is a minimally invasive keyhole procedure in which a surgeon removes all or part of a disc in the patients spine. Results: Successful lumbar decompression or discectomy and absence of distal foraminal entrapment was . With it being the weekend, I am in limbo!!!! Here are somereherniation-prevention tips for microdiscectomy patients: At The Spine Center, were dedicated to providing you with high-quality, personalized back and neck care. Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 74 total). Was able to walk longer, and had almost no pain, except for the incision site stiffness. If youhave diabetes, practice good blood glucose management. Since you are only four weeks out and better than prior to surgery, the nerve is probably still swollen. What is a lumbar discectomy? . NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or other medications may be used to continue managing pain after opioids are discontinued. Lifting heavy objects while recovering, especiallythoseoff the floor, can worsen you pain. The disc may press on the spinal nerves and cause pain and numbness in the buttock and leg. The first month after my microdiscectomy was pretty much all about recovering from the surgery itself. I want to write about my lifestyle, pain levels, routine, and how things are generally going two years after my microdiscectomy. The good news is that many patients have significant pain relief from a microdiscectomy and can quickly return to their normal lives, generally in 4-6 weeks. If that treatment is not effective, depending upon symptom severity, I will order an MRI. I am happy to tell you that the buttock pain reported before has significantly subsided. C7-T1 Post operative pain - Neurology Pain Around Belly Button | 10 Belly . Peekawho is right..you probably need a dose pack of steroids..I had the same problem after my discectomy..they put me on a dose pack, and after the first pill, the pain in my butt and down my leg went away..hang in there..my surgeon explained it this way"the reason you are experiencing that pain, is because the nerve that has been pressed on by the disc for so long, is extremely "pissed off" and needs time to cool down.."it did finally cool down, with the help of the steroidsYes, be firm with the officegood luck..did you have foot drop?..if so, how severe?..and has it improved? !he read all of my issue and details and his replies really helped me in decidingi am now confident about my decision and i now totally understand the procedure thanks to the in-depth information providedthank you ever so much ! As fellowship-trained physicians with over, treating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment, including conservative care, non-operativetreatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. Right after your procedure, any numbness will likely not be any cause for concern. This is called recurrent disk herniation. Contact sports, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities may still be avoided. In addition to medication, ice packs and/or heat wraps may be used. A seroma is a fluid-filled pocket at the surgical site that develops after surgery. I had l4/l5 discectomy 25 days ago, because I suffered from lower back pain that quickly was replaced by a persistant almost daily sciatica for almost 4 months. Our physicians serve as innovators in technology, actively participate in national and international research studies, and areatthe forefront of medical knowledge. Thankfully, only minor complicationsusuallyresult fromalumbarmicrodiscectomy. Recovering from surgery to correct a herniated spinal disc is no time to sit "back" and relax. Thats going to be almost 12 hours on my feet a day. Your doctor made a 2.5- to 5-centimetre (1- to 2-inch) cut (incision) in the skin over the spine. If you or a loved one suffer from backor neckpain, call The Spine Center today at(847) 628-8147toschedule a consultation. These stretches performed too aggressively will piss off the nerve. I had a discectomy done in 2000..I had a severe herniation in lower level (L4/L5)..the discectomy helped, but I went back to work too soon, over did it, and ended up having to get it fusedIt ended up, bone on bone, so they fused itI had the same symptoms as you, with the pain in my butt after surgery..it was so bad, I could hardly take it..my doc put me on a 5 day dose pack of steroids, and boy o boy did it workit sounds to me like you definitely have the foot drop thing going onfoot drop develops from the nerve being pinched in your back, cutting off the mobility in the lower leg and footI had it so bad, that I was tripping, and falling alotthe classic test to do to see if you have foot drop is to stand up against a wall, feet, legs, butt, back, shoulders touching the wallonce flush against the wall raise the front of your feet, keeping your heels on the groundtry to get the front of your feet as high as you can, keeping your heels on the groundMy doc did this test with me, and my right foot went up, but the left stayed on the floor..he told me that my case of foot drop was the worst he had ever seenfortunately, after the fusion, it came back, and now It's back 100%some people aren't so fortunateit does however take time to come back..some cases up to a yearyou have to be patientI really think you have the symptoms of foot drop..has your doc mentioned this to you/and or explained it?the tingling is from nerve pinchingthat nerve is super pissed off, hence the pain and tinglingmake sure you mention to your doc the oral steroids..if I were a betting woman, I bet that would relieve your pain, and reduce the swelling of the nerveplease keep me posted, and good luck with itif you don't have one already, I suggest using a cane to walk around with..I used one, and it helped me so much..especially with the foot dropkeep me posted.. my L5 / S1 disc herniation mainly lead to severe left-side buttocks pain when stretching the nerve. On the other hand, be careful not to overdo it. Called my surgeons office, spoke with nurse, seemed to care less-pain getting worse-follow-up appointment not until four more days!!! So, says Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, medical director of the Atlantic Spine Center and a world-renowned endoscopic spine surgeon, who performs a minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic microdiscectomy and advises his patients to stay mobile, get out and walk, to expedite microdiscectomy recovery and minimize the formation of scar tissue. You will beaskedto keep theareaclean and to cover it while bathing or showering. My back was inflamed afterwards, and I had some hip pain the following day, but I didnt think much of it, because those episodes happened during my previous recovery and would resolve with rest>rest in 2 days max. that are efficient and professional, deliveredwith integrity and honesty in a cohesive, family-like environment. Using small surgical tools, your surgeon will create a tiny incision and move aside the muscles and nerve root. "Patients leave the hospital the same day or the day following the procedure and can begin microdiscectomy recovery immediately.". I so appreciate your time and info. These differences may be due to compression at another site or a nerve root tethering to epidural fibrosis. Your plan is good. Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. A long pain-free interval after microdiscectomy and subsequent development of symptoms may more clearly point towards a possible re-herniation. Endoscopic Spine Surgeon Dr. Kaixuan Liu Offers Tips to Speed the Recovery Process after a Microdiscectomy. Dont stand forextended periodswithout putting one foot up on something and alternating feet every few minutes. If the pain is still there after 3 months, it is unlikely to improve on its own. I am aware it might not be a positive test, but I was just wondering whether it meant anything. Buttock pain after a minimally invasive keyhole discectomy procedure is most often nerve-related. After 6 months of phyiscal therapy and epidural steroid injections I opted for surgery which was done 4 weeks ago. At Wake Spine & Pain Specialists our goal is to relieve your pain and improve function to increase your quality of life. So for example moving my chin to my chest or trying to form a round lower back would immediately provoke this pain on the left side of my buttocks. A reherniation after microdiscectomy may occur in the immediate postoperative period, a few weeks to few months after the surgery, or within years following the surgery. And although recovery from lumbar microdiscectomy is quicker and less painful than more invasive types of back surgery, youwillstill need to take some precautions. One more thing gritch..DON'T OVER DO IT!! Below are a few reason why leg pain may . Had microdiscectomy L 4/5 on 08/13/09. While pain medications may not be needed by 4 to 6 weeks after lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, some patients may need to continue with pain medications for much longer. These symptoms might be annoying but dont pay too much attention to them as these paresthesias tend to go away over time. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. A new treatment, Barricaid, which is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce reherniations, was specifically designed to close the large hole often left in the spinal disc after microdiscectomy. But its still there with the same movements as before but later in the movement. As fellowship-trained physicians with over50 years of experiencetreating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment, including conservative care, non-operativetreatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. Pain from a spinal stenosis may be resolved with decompression surgery. If this service is not available, try to do activities at home that mimic your daily work schedule to develop muscular conditioning and a reserve for the initial days at work. This surgery is designed to relieve pressure on a pinched vertebral nerve..Microdiscectomy surgery may be suitable for patients who experience leg pain for at least 6 weeks who have not found sufficient relief from conservative therapies. Abstract. Same as you, the right foot is fine. One of the most common complications of any spinal operation involves the patient continuing to experience pain after surgery, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 2. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. Your doctor made a 1- to 2-inch cut (incision) in the skin over the spine. Herniation can occur due to back injuries, undue spinal stress from heavy lifting or participation in sports, and even the normal aging process as the spinal discs dry out and become more brittle, forcing a disc's outer membrane to crack and its inner core material to ooze out. Also known as spinal decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and is typically performed on patients with severe symptoms or those with symptoms that are worsening dramatically. Althougha minimally invasive procedureisoften considered the best practice for dealing with damaged spinal tissue, no surgery is completely without risk. Dr. Bergin has a special interest in medical research and maintains membership in the Scoliosis Research Society. I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff.