Discectomy - After the Operation

[Zotvzobzkpfum]

Please tell me your husbands exact diagnosis?

You told surgery was "emergency". That probably means he had cauda equina or partial cauda equina syndrome.

Only problem after CES is that somethimes bladder and bowl problems can stay present for life. Yes, it sounds strange but its true. So please tell me his diagnosis.

After surgery treatment of diagnosis that caused neurological deficits you mentioned, physical therapy is MUST HAVE!

If nerve was under compression, he is now experiencing problem because blood is not freely going trough nerve, and nerve needs some time to heal. Some older doctors often say that nerve healing time is equivalent to time of nerve compression.

Kind regards and good luck in his recovery.

 

[Question Man]

Thankyou Melza - it's good to hear from people who understand. I'm still at home, waiting for the latest blood test results which I should have today. The pain is now worse on my left side, in my hips, bum and groin area. Yesterday I had tingling and numbness in the bottom of my left foot and also a bit of a 'dead arm', also on the left side. I am going out of my mind with worry, not knowing if I should be moving or resting or which might make it better or worse. I'm also stressed about work and the fact I'm having more time off. I think so many people, who are fortunate enough not to have ever experienced back pain, underestimate the tiredness, frustration and mental anguish that comes with it. I am close to tears the majority of the time and I feel as though one more comment about me skiving or being off on a jolly will be enough to drive me over the edge. I don't want sympathy - just practical support and advice from the people who are in the know so I can go on leading some kind of normal life. But answers are few and action takes forever. Does anyone have any advice regarding paying for your own scans and other tests privately and how the system works? Would it speed up the process? Or would I simply end up in the same hospital as before, something which I am truly dreading. I have asked for a referral to a consultant who is willing to see me, in another county, but I have been told there is currently no funding available for this on the nhs. I expect if the blood tests come back negative I will be sent back to hospital for further investigations - if that is the only option available then of course I will pursue it but maybe I have other choices?

 

[Mellmell Eleven]

The surgeon said he had a prolapsed disc that was pressing on his spinal cord that was pressing on his bowl and bladder nerve.

The surgeon said they had to perform the discectomy immediately as if they didn't, he could be in a nappy for life. They were quite amazed he could walk!

I'm terrified the bladder problems will remain.... however I tell myself he will be ok as he is slowly regaining sensation and can feel more every day in this area. I'm hoping this is a good sign.

Nobody has mentioned any physical therapy - can you tell me exactly what you mean - you mean exercises?

He stopped passing water/stools about 28hours before the surgery was performed. I'm hoping this was not too late to regain the nerves.
Thanks so much for responding.... I really appreciate it.

 

[LP640]

This sounds like cauda equina syndrome.

Spinal cord needs time to heal, as there are many nerve structures there.

When I said physical therapy, I wanted to say he needs to go some thermal springs or spa, and he will there have physical therapy (exercises and several other types of therapy).

 

[Ingrid]

I had the same thing done on 26th November - no one told me what to expect after the surgery so after the relief that the pain in my leg had gone and the morphine had worn off - the true pain kicked in. I wish I could tell you that in a few days you will be fine. The reality for me was that it got much worse before it got better. One step forward and three back is the only way to describe it. There will be days when you are so uncomfortable and sore you won't know where to put yourself - but then you will have a good day and you feel more positive. The discomfort gets worse the closer you get to having your clips removed they get tighter and dig in and that is painful. Things do get much better after they are removed.

I'm almost two months down the line and although my leg pain has gone I still need to be careful not to over do it. My back is still very sore but I guess the inside needs longer to heal that the outside. I've not been back to see the surgeon yet (hospital cancelled appointment) so I'm not sure what to expect from here but fingers crossed that soon I will be back to doing pretty much what I like.

Good luck

 

[ladyofGod]

Few days after discectomy. How many people lost old pain symptoms but gained new ones in new areas? Is this common?

 

[dqensushismiefers]

Yes it is! All too common!

These are usually caused by 'colatoral damage' as Surgeons cut through your skin, tissue, nerves, muscle and bone as they gain access to the area where they worked on you. Also, any damage or work done on nerve strands that previously did not cause any problems, could well create new areas of pain or even tranferred pains anywhere in the autotomical system. Whether these new areas stay painfull for good? Only time will tell.

Don't panic yet though, these may just be post operative & reactive spasms and pains, and might go away with time & excercise.

Best of luck


SPINELF

 

[Altestets]

After traditional open discectomy, according to some studies you have around 30-40% chance of your pain returning from any source.

After traditional open discectomy, most frequent problem is in facet joints.

 

[XiongMao91]

Hey guys,
Another quick q - how long until you opened your bowels after surgery? My husband has been waiting 10 days since the last time and he's taking all manner of laxatives/stool softeners.

How long until we really, really panic that he's not been - he's already very uncomfortable and has enemas and suppositories.

Sorry if this is too much information....

 

[ShAkiL ImRaN]

I've seen some papers that suggest that this failier rate for discectomy/laminectomy procedures are 50 - 60%.
The poor clinical outcome for 'spinal fusion' procedures are stated by some research as being as high as 80% at 3 years post op.

You are right about the facet joint post op issues. This is usually caused because the Surgeon carrying out the discectony/laminectomy, has to 'cut a window' in the healthy vertabra/lamina, in order to be able to see the area he/she is going to work on. Surgeons would also cut and damage other small ligaments and muscles as a matter of course.

SPINELF

 

[Riot]

This is aready 'too long' in my humble opinion . Seek urgent help from your GP asap!


Best wishes & good luck.

SPINELF

 

[Keri]

Depends on several studies. Numbers I wrote are approximate based on several studies.

As far as I know, problem is not because of removing part of lamina. Every human can live without part of lamina's on several levels.

Problem is discectomy itself. In open discectomy, larger ammount of disc material is removed. This corrupts spine biomechanics, and this causes hypertrophy of facet joints.

 

[Bob Sanders]

Hey Keano! You seem to be very well informed and I have a new question to ask. I am due to have a cervical laminectomy soon (my blood test was normal!!!) and I have a lot of pain from a lumbar discectomy that I'm guessing went wrong. I seem to have pain all over the place and wonder how much of the pain I feel is due to something being wrong in my spine. Is it possible that my body is over reacting? I know I'm not imagining it, it really does hurt, even between the base of my shoulder blades. And if it is my body over reacting how do I calm it all down, I've run out of bright ideas.

I'm hoping other people have a similar problem...please god!

 

[SIR CUSTAC CANT]

I've read hundreds of scientific articles, so yes - I can give some advices and answers. But you should not always rely on them. I do not have real medical background/education.

The thing with cervical spine is that in general, cervical problems are somehow easier to solve.

Your body cannot overreact, if you have pains, then you also have a pain source. Something causes your problems and you need to investigate what exactly.

Sometimes cervical problems are connected to lumbar problems. This is best to talk with spinal surgeon.

 

[Foof]

Yes, you are right Keano, when you say that just removing part of the lamina would not automatically cause destablistation of the spinal column, and I also agree, that the lowering the disc height by discectomy, will always carry the risk increased facet joint hypertrophy.

But I would also say, that when you add this bone damage to the 'disc material damage' you metioned and, to the inevitable 'access gaining damage' such as muscle, nerves and tissue that I mentioned in previous posts, it all adds up to a disproportional amount of destruction of healthy body parts, whilst in the process of trying to cure the unhealthy ones.

Reducing this amount of this collateral damage, has got to be a priority to acheiving better clinical outcomes for back pain suffers.

Also, having damaged the lamina, the body would normally lay down more 'new bone material' in that area, in order to repair this damage and this in itself could lead to future osteophytes and other osteoarthritic conditions.


Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[Rose78]

Relax, I am one of those people Melza!

The body 'can' over react, I'm thinking Hay fever, food allergies etc;
but I dont think this so in your case, it is more lilely to be protective spasms eminating from your lumber spine surgery 'or' an adjacent level.
These spasms can transfer, level by level, from this location right up to you sub-occipital muscles under the skull at the back of your head.
I know, because they do with me!

On the way, these muscles can 'lock up' the nerves at the C 5/6/7 levels,
which in turn can cause pain, numbness, pin & needles and aching in your your arms, hands and on your shoulders & in between your shoulder blades!

Try Massaging 'or' Osteopathic therapists, who should be able to ease 'or' even remove these protective spasms, if only for 2-3 weeks.

My Osteopath uses the butterfly lift to 'open up' the sturnum and the cervical discs which reduces the inflammation and morbidity at the C levels.

Best of luck

SPINELF

 

[maybe its Emilyy:)]

Hi all,
Quick question, have any of you suffered from cauda equina syndrome as a result of your back issues?
Be really interested to hear if you have.
thanks
Dani

 

[Kimtontwo Web]

Dani G
Hiya, i've had cauda equina. Unfortunately mine was not picked up & operated on until i'd had it for 13 days. Also mine was of gradual onset. they say for best results surgery should be done within 48 hours. (any questions feel free to ask. I'm no expert but it can help to speak with someone else who's been through it.

Hi All
Havn't been on for a while as things havn't been to good. I'm still having wounds from my reconstruction packed (each requires 12" of dressing) So its been decided that i'm going back into hospital for washout, exploration & removal of the metalwork they used for my fusion. Then its a waiting game to see how i do. If I get worse we then have to discuss further procedures where they will go through my abdomen to get to my spine.
Despite now being on 32 tablets a day plus oramorph as & when i need it I am still in significant pain.
Finally lost the job. (although I have to say it was kind of a relief as I can now concemtrate on my recovery)

Tracey x

 

[Grampedo]

Jess - Contratulations

Ali - Where have you gone lady??

Melza - Will email you back as soon as computer lets me, had to agree with lots of points in your email though

Tracey xx

 

[KBT]

Tracey

I was feeling very low and sorry for myself, and decided to post on here because its the only place where people UNDERSTAND what we are going through, when I read your post.

It stopped me in my tracks and made me count my blessings. I hope that you get sorted soon and that things work out for the best. I don't know what to say that might help.

All my best wishes xxx