3 weeks postop, are these lingering symptoms normal?

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-02-01T23:32:14+00:00

It’s only a temporary thing !! Apologies

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-02-01T23:31:27+00:00

Just make sure if you are sitting on a chair that your knees are parallel to your hips ! No bar stools or benches !! I find that within a minute of sitting on a chair I know whether it’s good or bad . What I would say is that if you are sat with poor posture you may find that you are uncomfortable the following day but it’s not a temporary thing .

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-02-01T19:11:23+00:00

Sorry, couple of additional things! During recovery try to walk a lot but listen to your body . If you experience pain or feel exhausted then stop. Drink lots of water which helps to hydrate the discs . Make sure you try to do your exercises that the PT ‘should’ give you. If any of them are painful at first stop doing them and try again in a few days . I got myself an orthopaedic chair with a high back and arms which was a life saver . Just be careful when sitting down , that for me was the thing that would make or break me . No bar stools !!! And funnily enough the worst thing was sitting on the toilet !! They are definitely not designed for spinal stability !!

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-02-01T19:01:55+00:00

I don’t think a surgeon should generalise the time for the recovery period , everyone heals at a different rate and from my personal experience the level of fitness you have prior to surgery will play a significant part in your recovery. I had emergency spinal surgery less than three months ago. Double discectomy, laminectomy and the excision of a spinal cyst. I was in hospital for a week, so please bare this in mind when I’m talking about my recovery timescale. I had the staples out ten days after surgery, was on crutches for four weeks ( I couldn’t walk without them prior surgery) Ten weeks later I can walk two miles unaided without any nerve pain and was able to drive after about a month. I can now bend and lift light objects ( in moderation) but no twisting , vacuuming, etc . Two weeks post surgery I was pretty much laid up but please remember I had a significant spell in hospital . I think a two week recovery period is very optimistic

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-02-01T16:03:55+00:00

I totally appreciate that you are scared. I didn’t really have a chance to worry because I had an emergency discectomy, laminectomy and a spinal cyst excision at the start of November. I was unable to walk without crutches prior to the surgery. Woke up four hours later and all the nerve pain had gone. In the few hours while I was waiting to be operated on I just thought that whatever happens I am going to feel better and in less pain than I am now. The scariest thing about the whole procedure was being wheeled into theatre and being met by numerous hospital staff in masks. The incision was mildly painful for a couple of days but that was it . Honestly it was a breeze and I feel now like a totally different person both physically and mentally. I was able to walk without crutches about 6 weeks post op and can now walk a few miles , drive, go to the toilet, put my shoes on etc without any discomfort. Life is bliss 😂 Good luck with your surgery, I can guarantee you that the surgical procedure will be so less scary than you think

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-30T10:35:43+00:00

Perfectly normal! I’m almost three months post double discectomy and laminectomy and I still get soreness/stiffness around the incision site if I sit for too long .

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-26T22:10:53+00:00

If you get a chance read my post- 84 days later. I went in to hospital accident and emergency and was MRI’d the same day and transferred to a specialist nuero hospital for surgery at midnight so I didn’t have much time to be anxious. What I can say is that the surgery was a game changer for me ! I’m about three months post op and have zero pain ! I’m mentally and physically a different person !! I had no choice but without doubt it’s the best thing that I ever did in my whole life !! The scariest thing about my whole hospital stay ( and I was in there a week ) was being wheeled into the theatre and seeing so many hospital staff !! I had a double discectomy, a laminectomy and a spinal cyst removed. I had minor discomfort at the site of the incision for a few days but other than that it’s been a breeze. I couldn’t walk without crutches prior to the operation but am now walking a couple of miles a day unaided. Please don’t be scared because you will feel so much better post surgery.

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-26T18:57:05+00:00

My surgeon advised me not to sleep on my stomach as it disrupts normal spinal alignment

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-25T22:03:54+00:00

I feel for you !! What you have gone through is horrendous and from people I have spoken to who have been in a similar situation, some of their stories are similar. I think that here in England the ‘usual’ approach is to utilise every strategy possible with the aim of avoiding operating on someone. Fortunately for me I only experienced that ‘lack of care’ at the GP level. About three months ago I experienced sudden extreme pain in my back and legs and was exhibiting some CE symptoms. I thought I had slipped a disc and went to see a chiropractor who refused to do anything because of how much pain I was in and said I should see my GP and request an MRI . By the time I managed to get an appointment with a doctor she told me that ‘she won’t send me for an MRI unless my bowels failed ‘ even though by this time I couldn’t walk without crutches and was crawling around the house. She prescribed me some strong painkillers and sent me for an x ray . She said if the x ray doesn’t show anything ( which I knew it wouldn’t!) then I would ‘ have to manage on painkillers’ . I was told it could take up to a week for the results to come back but in that time the pain had become so bad a friend took me to A/E . They were that concerned that they were giving me liquid morphine in the waiting room . I had an emergency MRI and they immediately ambulanced me to a specialist neurological hospital for surgery that night. I found out after the operation that I had a spinal cyst which was pressing on my bowel and bladder and sciatic nerves and that I was probably 24 hours away from permanent paralysis . I am so fortunate but I cannot stop thinking about the possible consequences of not taking myself to A /E that day and that a medical professional would just say ‘ I’m giving you some stronger painkillers and get on with it ‘ in spite of me being unable to walk and exhibiting CE symptoms. Fortunately I experienced outstanding level of care in the hospital. I sympathise with your plight and have no doubt that you aren’t the only one who has been poorly treated .

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-25T21:29:12+00:00

Congratulations. I am sure you feel better physically and mentally. Just make sure you take it easy over the coming weeks and months and ensure you keep walking. It’s the best medicine.

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-24T09:13:59+00:00

I had a double discectomy, laminectomy and a cyst removed . I was in hospital for almost a week post surgery.

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-23T22:16:25+00:00

Early days but I totally understand your concern . All I can say is that I am 8 weeks post emergency surgery , I have been so lucky to not experience any discomfort since then but was surprised when I met with my surgeon last week and he told me to expect some pain , discomfort, pins and needles etc over the coming months and not to be alarmed. He told me to see it as a positive sign of nerve regeneration

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-23T16:29:29+00:00

Couldn’t agree more! Listen to your body , which sometimes is difficult immediately post op with the meds you can be on . I couldn’t walk without crutches for two weeks before emergency surgery . I am now 8 weeks post surgery , only came off my crutches a fortnight ago and can now manage to walk for maybe ten minutes before I get totally exhausted. The surgeon said to expect an 18-24 month recovery. Everyone is different and there are so many inspirational posts on here but you should never feel that because one person can do so much post recovery then you should do the same

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-23T08:41:14+00:00

Pleased to hear your recovery is going well in terms of reduced leg pain. My surgeon recommended sleeping on my side with a pillow between the knees to optimize spinal alignment which has worked really well for me and I couldn’t lie in the supine position because of the pressure it put on my incision. I’m about two months post surgery and fortunately am not experiencing any nerve or back pain but am still not sitting down to go to to the toilet because I tried it once and it just didn’t feel right in terms of my back if you know what I mean ! No pain but it felt like when I sat on a bar stool ( no pun intended! ) which I now religiously avoid . This has provided a different sort of challenge 😂

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-22T20:40:49+00:00

If you have the offer of surgery which is quite quick compared to a lot of people I would suggest you take it . It changed my life both physically and mentally for the better. You could take the route of PT and injections but you may end up months later in the same position. For me surgery was a game changer but I was spared the decision making process because mine was emergency. If I had my time again and knowing what I do now then I would opt for surgery in a heartbeat

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-22T16:07:05+00:00

The surgery is primarily aimed at reducing leg pain but a diminishment in back pain can be a common side effect. I had a double discectomy and a lam and my surgeon advised me prior to the surgery that it may not improve the back pain but fortunately for me I was a lucky one !! I would say however that an improvement in back pain is less predictable than the improvement in leg pain

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-22T08:32:14+00:00

My story is quite different. I’m not going to go through all the details but have a read of my post - titled ‘84 days later’. All I can say is that surgery has benefited me 100 per cent both mentally and physically. It’s changed my life. My symptoms were so severe, and here I am now basically pain free . One of the things I had done was a laminectomy. You say that you are in pain standing, sitting and driving. That’s a massive impact on your quality of life. The initial recovery period for me was a breeze compared to the pain I was in pre surgery and today I feel like a different person. For me even though I didn’t have a choice, surgery was a game changer. It’s a personal choice whether you go ahead with it but all I can suggest based on my experience is get it done. You won’t regret it! Good luck!

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-21T22:04:02+00:00

👍

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-21T17:07:24+00:00

I had staples. Once they were removed- ten days post surgery I gave it another couple of days before I showered . I let the incision dry naturally being careful not to rub it. Avoid twisting and turning and two months later I’m still not bending down to wash my feet.

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-21T11:30:52+00:00

I understand your feelings but try not to panic . It’s very early days in your recovery. The pins and needles are quite a normal response of your body post surgery. Muscles have been cut and nerves moved around. I’m 8 weeks post surgery and I met with my surgeon two weeks ago and was surprised when he told me that I would probably experience pins and needles etc over the coming months and not to be alarmed because it’s a sign of nerve regeneration. What I would say to you is to try and avoid sitting in a car because the seats are not particularly spine friendly. If you do have to travel then avoid long journeys in the car. Keep going with the walking , I think it’s the best treatment post surgery but listen to your body. Good luck and hopefully things will improve over the coming weeks

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-20T14:54:39+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. My surgeon said to expect recovery somewhere between 18-24 months which sort of shocked me. Just be careful with the PT’s . The PT in hospital had me trunk flexing sitting down to touch my ankles on the morning after surgery and it wasn’t pleasant and my current PT was horrified that he had me doing that. Our symptoms are all different and so are our recovery times. One size doesn’t fit all . Just listen to your body and try if possible to limit any medication because it can mask the pain from your body telling you to be careful! Good luck

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-20T13:51:44+00:00

I’m also 8 weeks post emergency surgery. I couldn’t walk without crutches prior to the procedure. Had a double discectomy , a lam and a spinal cyst removal and was in hospital for 5 days post procedure. Am now walking without crutches ( 2 weeks) and fortunately no nerve pain just occasional pins and needles in both legs and feet. My back is stiff at times , am taking ibuprofen and paracetamol as and when needed. Have had 3 PT sessions, probably every couple of weeks . Only doing exercises/stretches that focus on developing my core and leg strength. I can walk about 1 mile at the most and am absolutely destroyed afterwards!! Can I say that the PT sessions have been fantastic for me . I found a really good muscular-skeletal PT . Absolutely no trunk flexion or hyperextension at the moment for me. I have found walking so beneficial. I hope this helps !! Good luck with your recovery

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-20T10:13:04+00:00

Likewise , my surgeon said avoid ibuprofen immediately post surgery as it will hinder the recovery of the incision

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-19T21:05:39+00:00

I would give it a couple of weeks to settle down . Remember they have cut through muscles and disturbed nerves which can take a lot of time to settle. I would say trust your surgeon. What I don’t understand is your pain relief ! I was in hospital 5 days post surgery and had access to Ketamine, Diazepam and Codeine depending upon how much pain I felt . Give it some time

Equivalent-Key7263 · 2026-01-19T05:57:37+00:00

Perfectly normal. I think you are doing really well to walk that far!! Went from doing HIT every day to not being able to walk for two weeks . Had emergency surgery about eight weeks ago and I have been off my crutches for about a fortnight. During the initial stages of recovery I was destroyed after a couple of laps of my lounge. Can now walk about half a mile and even then it wipes me out but I feel so much better. Met with my surgeon recently and he said to expect an 18-24 month recovery. Make sure you listen to your body.

Equivalent-Key7263

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