Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy?
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I had a lumbar disectomy (L5/S1).
I'd say it's important to not speed run the recovery, taking it as slow as possible, avoiding sitting, and I was only allowed to lift 1 - 2 kg of everyday stuff after surgery and told to stay off work for 6 to 12 weeks (I have no idea if these are general recommendations or different from case to case).
Physiotherapy is vital and physical reha is also great.
I was told I will have to do exercises for the rest of my live, because the hole created by the disc remains, so that's a weak point that needs support by the muscles. So I started with the exercises from my physiotherapist as soon as I was allowed to after surgery and have continued.
Wishing you all the best! It's a small OP for neuro surgeons and I was so much better afterwards!
@Mab_813 thanks, that’s so helpful to know, and very reassuring.
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura Best of luck and I look forward to hearing about your full and speedy recovery because I believe I may be in the same situation.
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura complicated by my having Malignant Hyperthermia which means anesthesia caution.
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@laura complicated by my having Malignant Hyperthermia which means anesthesia caution.
@rickscully that sounds scary. Fingers crossed you find a way to get rid of the pain!
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura My big sis had a cervical disectomy a couple years back. Had a synthetic disk implanted. I don't know how much that differs from a lumbar one though. I was there to help her out for part of her recovery and she was shockingly mobile much sooner than I expected for such invasive surgery. Up and about, able to do things for herself almost immediately. My help was almost superfluous. Very short hospital stay too iirc. I think just a day or two? Very minimal after surgery pain.
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@SarraceniaWilds just pulling out the part that’s pressing on the nerve.
@laura oh oh ok. my friend had that done, if it the same kind where they go through the back it is so much less invasive and their relief was immediate
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@laura My big sis had a cervical disectomy a couple years back. Had a synthetic disk implanted. I don't know how much that differs from a lumbar one though. I was there to help her out for part of her recovery and she was shockingly mobile much sooner than I expected for such invasive surgery. Up and about, able to do things for herself almost immediately. My help was almost superfluous. Very short hospital stay too iirc. I think just a day or two? Very minimal after surgery pain.
@Karstan that’s great to hear! It should only be 1-2 nights’ stay. I should be mobile very quickly, but have also been warned that it’ll take 4 weeks before I’m doing light exercise.
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@laura oh oh ok. my friend had that done, if it the same kind where they go through the back it is so much less invasive and their relief was immediate
@SarraceniaWilds yeah. Thanks, that’s reassuring to hear!
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@Karstan that’s great to hear! It should only be 1-2 nights’ stay. I should be mobile very quickly, but have also been warned that it’ll take 4 weeks before I’m doing light exercise.
@laura She was going on short walks in about 2 weeks, I think?
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura I had one a bit over a decade ago. Was a breeze. I was walking without pain up stairs about 30 minutes after I woke up. Left that day. They looped off some lamina for me as well.
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura Not quite. I had a spinal fusion in my neck. My recollection is waking up from surgery and feeling better than I had in several months.
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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!
@laura
No, but my back/hip/leg pain has now become a numb toe and I am awaiting and MRI!
Hope things go well for you - will be interested to hear about you experience. -
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