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2 back surgery on L5 and S1, still in pain
L5 and S1 servere ruptured disc. I had servere pain down my left leg, could not sleep, or sit. Had surgery on L5 and S1, after surgery, both of my leg hurt serverly, could barely walk, the disc that was ruptured ended up rupturing more, the doctor want back in and cleaned the disc again. I am in worse pain now down my left leg then I was before any surgery. I am using a cane, living on pain pills, and steriods. I was told the the sciatic nerve was flured up and it needs to heal. I don't understand anything, I am miserable. I thought that is way I had to the surgery so I would not be in pain.
Best Answer
I agree somewhat with the doctor. However if the disc is severly ruptured I would imagine they did a discectomy both times. Here's the problem, now they have remove your lower back's shock absorber. Now it is putting more pressure on the facet joints and they will become inflamed causing the nerve root canals to narrow. This narrowing pushes on the sciatic nerves causing the pain in the legs. You will inevitably need to fix the problem of the disc or the nerve will never heal. Two surgical procedures are used, one is total disc replacement and the other is fusion. If they infact performed a discectomy then you will probably only be able to get the fusion. (vital bone material needed to keep the disc replacement in place is removed during a discectomy). Otherwise you should be able to get the total disc replacement. I had the same case as you but went right for the total disc replacement after my wife had the discectomy and was not a candidate. We both had L5-S1 problems. Mine ruptured, hers herniated. Disc replacement recovery time is only 6-8 weeks while fusion is 6-8 months. Hoped this helped but consult another doctor.
Thanks Lobo. I will keep you posted. Hopefully this time I can get some relief. Thanks for helping me out. Hollie
Wow! A third time? I knew something wasn't right. I was gonna tell you that fusion was your only option at this point. I do feel bad for you and I can because like I told you before, both my wife and I had surguries within 4 months of eachother. Mine was first then hers. She had the fusion and it all went just fine. Her TOTAL time of recovery from surgery to finished with pt was 3 months. You can do it. And your girls will be fine too. Just do me a favor and seek a pain management doc as well. They will have you up and walking the next day.
I just found out on Friday, that the same disc reputured a third time. I was told from the doctor that i am the 1 percent of a patient who disc will keep reputering. I am getting spinal fusion on March 17th, not very happy about it. But I have no choice in the matter. I barely can not walk now. So in the end it will need be done. Very scared about it. I will keep you posted. Thanks Hollie
Thank you. It total makes sense to me. Time for a second opinion. Yes I did have two discectomey.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello!
Any nerve injury will take lot of time for recovery.
For herniated and ruptured disc at L5 S1 the recommendation is a surgical repair.
With recovery of your sciatic nerve your pain and other symptoms of your legs will decrease. You should continue physical movement with proper support. Adopt proper positions in your daily living and take intermittent pain killers.
Take a second opinion near a neurosurgeon.
Take care!
Any nerve injury will take lot of time for recovery.
For herniated and ruptured disc at L5 S1 the recommendation is a surgical repair.
With recovery of your sciatic nerve your pain and other symptoms of your legs will decrease. You should continue physical movement with proper support. Adopt proper positions in your daily living and take intermittent pain killers.
Take a second opinion near a neurosurgeon.
Take care!
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