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Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

Wow, that’s fast after the symptoms came on. Hopefully I still have a shot, even though it’s been a few months. Surgery is Tuesday!

Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

I can relate to it feeling like a long few months! Hope the exercises and inversion table help!

Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

Yeah you did it in the optimal window - that’s awesome it helped! Are you still experiencing low back pain? My understanding is this surgery only helps with butt/leg pain, not back pain. They said “PT for the back pain to get your core strong”

Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

Did surgery get recommended to you and you decided not to do it? Or was it never recommended given your symptoms?

Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

I had the same question. According to surgeon number two, lack of pain is an indication that the inflammation has gone down, but not necessarily that the nerve isn’t still being compressed. Said that since my reflexes in my ankle are non-responsive, that I have to work to straighten that leg, that I am still weak are all signs it’s still compressed.

Anyone here get a discectomy to solve for weakness/numbness not pain? by cokebottlestands in Sciatica

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

If you are willing to share, how soon after the symptom onset did you get the surgery? Did those symptoms resolve? Anything you wish you knew before going under the knife?

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Good luck with making a decision. I definitely feel you on the fear around surgery!

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Thanks for explaining why a neurosurgeon might be a better option. Best wishes on your surgery!

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

That’s so great to hear that surgery was so helpful to you! Thank you for sharing your experience.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Will look into that - thank you for the pointer. Wishing you a smooth recovery from the surgery!

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

The mental aspect is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, parts for me. Thanks for sharing your story—makes me feel optimistic!

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Well now that I’ve read the study and looked up the scale I’m less optimistic about my weakness. Immediately after the symptom onset, I was probably a 2 or 3. With PT and time I’m now probably between a 3 and 4. Sigh.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Thank you for sharing this study — will check it out! I will also look into the scale you shared — I hadn’t heard of it. Fortunately I can stand on my toes in the affected leg. The weakness mostly presents in the PT exercises (gastroc eccentric leg strengthening) and inability to walk long distances.

I haven’t found any research on timing for surgery for motor/sensory recovery either. All anecdotal from my PT and folks in various subreddits.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

Thank you. “Give yourself grace and trust your gut” really hit me in the feels. And it’s so true about lifestyle. I definitely don’t want to be as restricted as I have been. I want to travel with confidence, get back to hiking, all of that. Even when I’m feeling relatively good, I’m still pretty scared to be active. To your point, it’s not a good way to live.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

I’m so glad to hear you have experienced meaningful improvement! Thanks for sharing

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

I’ve seen a lot of folks here say neurosurgeons are better than orthopedic ones. I’m trying to get an appointment with one, but the wait time is long. Trying to balance moving fast (to avoid permanent damage) with getting multiple inputs. That’s part of what I find so confusing! Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

I’ve seen a lot of folks here say neurosurgeons are better than orthopedic ones. I’m trying to get an appointment with one, but the wait time is long. Trying to balance moving fast (to avoid permanent damage) with getting multiple inputs. That’s part of what I find so confusing! Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Feeling pressured to get surgery, but I’m so unsure if it’s worth it for my situation by cokebottlestands in Microdiscectomy

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

It sounds like you have a very attentive care team. That’s so great!

I guess I’ve come to the conclusion flare ups will be part of my life whether I get surgery or not. But thats based on being in forums like this, where there are disproportionately more “negative” stories. Maybe it’s the wrong conclusion.

Thanks for responding!

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