Emergency Discectomy l4/l5

[meavelmetheft]

Hello all! As the subject says, had an opp as a 'medical emergency' about 8 weeks ago, although I have suffered with repeated sciatica and crippling pain for about 2.5 years previous. Long story short, got taken in to A+E as couldn't get off the floor! MRI and 3 days later, snip snip, micro discectomy! Now, in the words of the consultant 'don't worry about it prolapsing again as most of the inner part of your disc is in the bin' Seems the more the chopped the more came out...was home ay after opp, moving was quite sore but not excruciating, night time though, bad! Couldn't get comfortable in nay position and found the only thing i could do that was OK was to keep moving, especially during the day. 4 days after it felt good, had been for a walk, no problem, next day, agony! Felt like somebody was crushing my spine every step I took. I had called the consultant and told them the symptoms but they didn't seem concerned so I just put up with it. From that point on progress has been very slow, bending is still an issue, can't put my socks on or shoes without the aid of a massive shoe horn and still get pain across the top of the hips and into the abs. The follow up MRI looked to me anyway, to show that part of the disc towards the back was almost non existent yet towards the front, was about half the height it should be! I've been told that my recovery may well take 'longer than expected' and that my long term prognosis is 'fine' not exactly encouraging! I'm not sure how long to leave it before I should start asking some more searching questions as to what next, I don't want to be like this for the rest of my days as I have to young boys who need a good duffing up and a ball kicked about a bit, which is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment. Has anybody else on here had similar symptoms or could offer any words of wisdom as to how to cope and get on with it? Any experiences shared would be welcomed so I know I'm not going mad! Thanks

 

[123glamma]

willyboyt

Hi, I havn't got the answers you need but i think you would benefit from the Disectomy-After the operation thread. I'm recently discovered I have a 3rd prolapse in my back along with one in my neck. I can't give you advice on what to expect in a 'normal' recovery as I never seem to get there. But the folk on that thread will offer you help & advice
Hope that is of some help

Tracey