Post Discectomy Operation L4/S1

[thnhvvsd]

Hi All,

I had my discectomy op last Saturday, this followed on from a nerve root block which was unsuccessful on the Thursday.The facts of the matter are that a nerve root block op has only a 30% chance of success and in my case actually made the pain even worse until fortunately I was taken back to theatre within 48hrs to undergo a full L4/S1 discectomy.

From the time I was woken in the recovery room, I had "NO PAIN" (the first time since Jan this year (Day or Night).

Now, within a week, i am a little sore with the wound ( nothing that a paracetomol doesn't sort )

To all of you sufferers, please hang in there, do what you have to do to get it dealt with properly. If you get into hospital, do not allow yourself to leave without getting the problem sorted.

Does anyone out there now what you should or shouldn't do after the op by way of exercise, when is it ok to drive? How long off work etc?

 

[spliff cat]

Hi Paul,

For the first 3-4 weeks you should not drive or sit down for long periods of time. Try and get out for short walks 10-15min. Do a lot of relaxing and just let your body get over the operation.

You should have been given a few exercises from the hospital. You need to try and stretch you bum muscels, hamstrings and calves. I put some exercises in the topic "Discectomy after the operation" have a look through there.

Hope recovery goes well and do not rush back into work until you feel safe with your body.

Cheers Olli.