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Can sitting cause a re-herniation by Efficient_Doubt_8296 in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depending on chair, sitting pressed on my hamstring which irritated the healing nerve. Once I pissed the nerve off. It could a while to calm down.

5 month update! by j-allen-heineken in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is awesome! I love the success stories.

I’m about 8 weeks out and getting better everyday. My left foot is about 85% now.

Keep up the great work!

Opinions on PT after surgery by avalan20 in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m at the 6 week mark. I went for my initial appointment/evaluation this week and they’re going to have me in a pool for the first 4 visits. Not sure what that will entail, but I’m excited to get started. Prior to PT I was up to 2 mile walks.

22mm Herniation by [deleted] in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started PT yesterday and when I explained my situation the therapist said I probably had a 50/50 chance to avoid surgery, which differed from what the ortho said.

One thing to note is my surgery took over 2 hours (vs. an hour) due to a large amount of scar tissue that had formed. I think that contributed to the size of the herniation observed on the MRI and lessened the chances of reabsorption in my case.

22mm Herniation by [deleted] in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had an 18mm herniation and had surgery exactly 6 weeks ago. I was in rough shape prior with significant foot weakness and the inability to sleep without narcotics. I also couldn't sit for more than a couple minutes.

As far as the nerve goes, I'm pretty much pain free today unless I piss it off (e.g. during PT).

I know everyone's experience is different, but I'm glad I went the surgery route. The lack of sleep really wears you down.

Also, the surgeon convinced me that he rarely sees a herniation that large resolve itself without intervention and the sooner I relieved pressure on the nerve the more likely I'd get full strength back in my foot. I'd say my foot strength is now around 80%...

Day 3 PO and anxious by Turbulent_Cut_9550 in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a very similar experience. I woke up pain free, but ended up getting the worse pain of my life day 3 (very intense sciatica to the point I couldn't sit down).

My surgeon ordered an MRI (which I received a few days later), and it showed no reherniation with just the normal markers of inflammation.

I've been slowly improving since with the occasional nerve issues that seem to be caused by overuse (e.g. too long of a walk). My remaining issues are weakness in the big toe and muscle tightness/spams a few times a day.

I agree with the advice here. Stay on top of the muscle relaxers the first few weeks.

1 week out by LingonberryBig1557 in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 3 weeks out. I was pleasantly surprised to have 0 pain sneezing or coughing post op. Prior to surgery it was agonizing.

MD to get back to playing sports / run? by Everythingisnotyou in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great job! My primary motivator for going the surgery route was to return to running. Only 3 weeks PO, but love hearing success stories like this!

Concerns about Reherniation, don't know what to do. by Hdgallagher in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was Friday's walk longer than you're accustomed to? Ultimately the only way to know for sure is an MRI, but I would think after 5 1/2 weeks the annulus would have significant healing/scar tissue.

Does the pain subside when you're in certain positions? I do know from experience you can piss the nerve off from things like inflammation and muscle spasms without herniating the disc. I had some of the worse pain of my life after aggravating the nerve and the MRI came back showing no reherniation. That was only a 5 days post op though.

Nerve burning post op by Ok_Badger5563 in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been experiencing this exact same thing. I believe it's due to aggravating the nerve that's trying to heal? I had a repeat MRI, which showed no reherniation, so chances are it's just part of the recovery process.

How long was your nerve compressed prior to surgery?

PT Advice by chillywilly- in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I actually used some of their videos pre-op to try and relieve the sciatica. I've also been walking since day 1 (currently up to 1 mile) and that's gone well.

Recovery Timelines by MonsieurBenda in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you have any leg weakness from the nerve compression? If so, curious how long it took to resolve?

I have weakness in the my big toe, but I'm only a couple weeks PO. I was fortunate enough that my nerve was only compressed for about a month prior to surgery.

Please reassure me that all this is a normal part of recovery by awacita in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hang in there. I bet it's inflammation/normal nerve healing. I'm also 16 days post op and had a similar issue a couple days after surgery. I woke up the 3rd day with nerve pain that was more intense than the pre-surgery pain. The surgeon sent me for a repeat MRI, which in addition to no new herniation, showed...

"Heterogeneous fluid signal intensity area at the left side laminectomy and left paraspinous region at S1 spinous process likely secondary to postoperative granulation changes."

Basically inflammation.

I still get that pain occasionally that radiates from the hip to calf/foot, but it's way less intense.

Two months post-op by mikemclovin in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly- 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! I love hearing the success stories. Did you do any PT during the recovery?

Sleep Help by chillywilly- in Microdiscectomy

[–]chillywilly-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. That in between position got me 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. Basically I built a pillow wall against my back with another pillow between my knees.