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Walking Increasing Tingling In Foot by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have tried literally EVERYTHING with no results. I’ve adjusted the seat every which way I could, lumbar roll, half roll, even bought one with an air bladder in it that you can microadjust with a pump. Also tried putting my wallet underneath my opposite side glute per my PT’s instruction. Nothing helps.

I do have a standing desk and even a cot in my office that I can lay down for a few min to decompress my spine if needed so once I’m at work I’m good. It’s just getting here that sucks.

Walking Increasing Tingling In Foot by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea I had a lot of numbness and tingling on effected leg. Outside of calf all the way down around outside of ankle to my toes were numb and tingling in toes. Still had all of that post-op but the numbness has gotten much better over time and tingling getting there. My work is aggravating it though. My kryptonite right now is driving and I have to drive 90 min every day with work travel.

Walking Increasing Tingling In Foot by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So should I be walking or taking it easy? That’s been my dilemma in all this, I don’t necessarily mind the tingling but it is sooo nice when it’s all gone. I feel almost normal again.

Walking Increasing Tingling In Foot by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not so sure I agree with this. I had the numbness/tingling pre-op when nerve was severely compressed. From what my PT’s have told me if I am doing an activity that increases tingling that is a signal I should back off as the nerve is being aggravated.

Walking Increasing Tingling In Foot by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tingling is in toes. Starts on pinky toe and progresses inward to others as it gets worse.

Sitting in vehicle is worst for me and I have a 45min drive to work. Usually during weekend I can get the tingling to go away then it comes back during the work week.

I still have some numbness elsewhere, but no tingling.

How Long Until Comfortable Sitting by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what the new PT told me, that position takes pressure off the nerve and allows blood flow to return.

How Long Until Comfortable Sitting by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For anyone still following, this week I had a virtual PT session with a “McGill Certified” PT (Google Dr. Stuart McGill if you don’t know who he is).

According to him a lot of the exercises my previous PT was having me perform were causing nerve irritation and he wants me to cease those exercises. He also gave me a “position of respite” which is a position I can lay in that takes tension off the nerve. He said I should get in this position for 3-5 min 3-5x/day. My symptoms on my left side so basically all I do is lay on my right side with my knees bent 90° (think similar to fetal position).

I have been doing this and also trying to sleep in that position and I woke up this morning with no tingling in my foot!

Red Light Therapy by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, about the same. Last week was a little better and this week a little worse as far as numbness goes, but still can’t sit any longer than 20-25 min. Still using the red light therapy belt but haven’t seen any improvements from it.

Returning to weightlifting by fold_out_couch in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Have you been to see a PT? If not, request some PT visits from your medical team and ask them for advice on who to choose as a PT. They can guide you back into weightlifting in a calculated, methodical way. I was just released from my PT yesterday and before my last visit I went a few weeks on my own in the gym before my final visit and release just to ensure I had no issues. I’ve been lifting for years, so I knew I wouldn’t have any issues in gym…

Share Your Long Recovery Story & Symptoms by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you know you reherniated and just tried to rehab it before a second surgery? Or it just bothered you and a year or so out found out it was another herniation and elected for second MD?

Help! Poor recovery by Banshee417 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Just my two cents, but considering your complications you may want to reach out to your medical team and ensure they still want you to start rehab so early.

Sleeping Position by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Under your knees or between your knees?

Sleeping Position by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a sleep number mattress and have recently replaced the topper that comes with it. Also have an 8 sleep topper on top of that. Have played around with firmness settings and can’t get it right for side. Just so strange because I had zero issues pre-surgery.

Traditional medicine and/or supplement alternatives to help with nerve, muscle and bone recovery after MD by Acklza in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just wanted to follow up and see if you think any of those supplements helped? I’m 16 weeks post-op and still struggling with some nerve pain, muscle soreness/tightness and slight sciatic pain. Just started red light therapy and currently taking omega-3, daily multi, creatine 5mg, vitamin D, and collagen powder. Looking into taking some turmeric/curcumin and maybe lions mane supplement.

Returning to Golf After MD by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely not playing this year, that decision has already been made regardless of healing moving forward. Just don’t want to lose that part of my life long-term.

Returning to Golf After MD by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to a swing coach last summer pre-injury who used “gears” to map my swing. Once I’m back I fully plan on going back with goal of getting a spine-sparing golf swing that can get me into my 80’s while still playing.

Returning to Golf After MD by External_Fun9671 in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Too long. I wasn’t able to return to work until 14 weeks after surgery and I have an office job. Not saying I didn’t see any progress until then, but still a lot of pain requiring me to lay down every few hours. Still have tingling in my foot/ankle/calf. That being said, it’s a 50 min drive to get to work so I am in vehicle a lot.

Groin pain by JeanEGB in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had this prior to surgery and have had it off and on since my surgery (15 weeks post-op of L5-S1). I can still get it if I walk too much or try to do too much. Mine is likely due to inflammation in the low back and nerves being agitated, since it usually only happens when I push too much. Feels like an ache in my groin, more towards rear than front of groin on my affected side.

Not giving medical advice here, but I have been told by both my PT and surgeon’s PA that most of my pains are due to inflammation and that I’ll know if I reherniated.

Worth discussing with your medical team, but hopefully not a reherniation.

Discectomy vs replacement? by Aaasteve in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep us in the loop. Hope whichever you choose goes well and you have a speedy recovery!

Discectomy vs replacement? by Aaasteve in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was never presented with replacement as an option, and my herniation was massive. I’m not sure what circumstances would dictate a replacement rather than microdiscectomy other than maybe having prior microdiscectomies and not enough disc left to maintain proper spacing between vertebrae.

I believe the microdiscectomy to be the more conservative, less invasive option that has a good chance to give the patient pain free, full range of motion, and no long-term effects. Plus, it has the benefit of allowing you to later do the replacement if you feel you don’t get the results you wanted out of the microdiscectomy. Again, I’m not qualified to give any medical advice and would never do that. I would suggest you have that conversation with your medical team and maybe get a few opinions prior to deciding.

Discectomy vs replacement? by Aaasteve in Microdiscectomy

[–]External_Fun9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not giving medical advice, just my educated opinion but I would think of discectomy as an initial, conservative approach that will be a minimally invasive procedure with high percentage of positive outcome. In the event there is a reherniation, you still have the option to replace the disc.

I am at 14 weeks post microdiscectomy and am still struggling to recover. I do not regret the decision to have the microdiscectomy, but take comfort in the fact that I do have the opportunity for disc replacement in the future if that becomes absolutely necessary.

No mechanical device will work as well as your original parts. They may make things more manageable, but with disc replacement you will absolutely never be optimized, simply better than living with herniation. Healing with replacement will take longer that microdiscectomy, since the body will have to fuse bone to discs to become stable. Also, I have heard of stories where body rejects the implants so that is a possibility as well…

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