Advice after the Op

[Gone !]

hi all

I had the microdiscectomy on 23rd October on the NHS. I was extremely lucky as there was a cancellation and had the operation within two days of being contacted. All has gone really really well. Apparently the prolapse was huge and another fragment was also removed.

I did not experience any real pain after the op and am planning on going back to work next week, all i get is cramping in the calf muscles so will start stretching now.

My question is that i was not given any real advice on what to do exercise wise to strengthen area hopefuly to ensure ths doesn't happen again.

Can anyone share any advice they were given?

Many Thanks
Stray

 

[pugswifey]

I am extremely pleased for you that you are feeling so well post op, however I am surprised you are going back to work so soon! Having had my first microdiscectomy May 2008 I am now awaiting further surgery as the problem has recurred. I was given gentle exercises to do post op to start stretching the nerves but these were done on the bed & involved no stretching. I would seriously advise you to contact the surgeons secretary as you should have had a physio referral at the very least. All may feel well at the moment but there is lots of healing still going on with the disc
Regards

Tracey

 

[FireElementNinja]

Hi

Thanks for the reply

I wasn't really given any advise so as i feel so good and daytime tv is so rubbish thought i might go back to work myself. Will do reduced hours for the first few weeks and my employer is brilliant so will be able to go for a 10-15 minute walk or a lie down on the floor (if i need) whenever i feel like. My MD is even going to give up his parking space so i can drive in! parking in the centre of bristol isn't cheap so that is much appreciated.

I will give the secretary a call however have spoken to a private physio i have been seeing for the last year and she thinks it's ok as long as i am only going part time - will also go back to her when ready to build up core stability to hopefully ensure this doesn't happen again. Think i am doing so well as even tho the prolapse was huge i had been doing loads of work with this physio to get core as strong as possible through out the year and must admit i was virtually pain free before op however my daily activities were extremely restricted - lets just say i new my limits and mainly stuck to it -calf and hamstring is my main problems at mo however am really serious about the core and want to ensure i will do everything i can to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Cheers
Stray

 

[JayJay]

Good luck with your return to work, just ensure you 'listen' to your back though, i did a gradual return in an admin role & returned without a work station assessment & it was the worst thing i ever did. There again the base i was expected to work at would have ruined anyone's back. Like I say good luck & keep up the good work
Tracey