Back Surgery and Neck Surgery
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Fri, 11/06/2009 - 03:31
unorthodox post-Microdiscectomy
So after waking up after my microdiscectomy at L5/S1, I was suprised to find out I had no stitches, and instead the incision was glued shut and covered with a regular band aid. I asked a couple times about stitches in my groggy state because I was so surprised. They repeated, nope no stiches.
I also asked about comfortable positions, they said no lying on your stomach. About sitting or otherwise they just said let pain be your guide. But need to walk around no matter if lying down or sitting, to avoid blood clots. Also, can drive after only 1 week.
Seems to be all the about is less conservative than I've read about anyone else's experiences with MicroD on here. Is there an even less intrusive form or the procedure that I'm not aware of? ?
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I didn't have any external stiches either...my site was glued together as well and covered with steri-strips. I'm 99% sure there were sutures on the inside though!
I think the idea of 'let pain be your guide' is that they don't want you to baby yourself too much...the sooner you start getting around and moving, the faster you will heal. Of course, don't try to be Superman/woman in the process. You will know what is too much.
Good luck in your recovery!
MRI Oct '07:
*L3-L4 moderate central disc protrusion with moderate central stenosis
*L4-L5 1.3 x 0.9 cm central & left paracentral disc extrusion; mild to moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis
*L5-S1 mild posterior disc bulge & endplate spondylosis, moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis
ESI Nov'07
Microdiscectomy L4-L5 Dec '07
<(unrelated) Resection of left liver lobe for 6.5cm benign tumor June '09>
MRI Oct '09:
*L3-L4 Stable central disc protrusion producing mild central stenosis but no definite nerve room impingement. Annual tear is present mildly compressing thecal sac. No foraminal stenosis is seen.
*L4-L5 Findings consistent with recurrent left subarticular disc extrusion, slightly extending inferiorly, compressing & displacing descending left L5 nerve root (extends 5-6 mm beyond the L5 superior endplate). Minimal foraminal narrowing is seen. Clinical correlation is recommended.
*L5-S1 Central disc protrusion without nerve root impingement or central stenosis. Mild facet arthropathy. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
ESI Oct '09 Unsuccessfull attempt x3 @L5-S1; success @L4-L5! Waiting to see if it has worked...so far so good on day #2 (Oct 23rd)...
ESI #2 Nov 11th '09 Considered unsuccessful...
Nov 14th Left big toe, top of foot, outer left leg now numb. Started another Medrol dose-pack. Referred to NS...
Nov 30 NS appointment
Cantac - I hope you are doing well after your MicroD. More often than not, doctors are using dermabond to close wounds. I was very happy to have them glue my incision closed after my fusion. I'm sure it's not as painful as I think, but the thought of having stitches or staples removed creeps me out
I hope you do well with your healing!
NEBaker/Kristin
Age: 41
Occupation: Cafe Owner/Chef
Degenerative disc disease L3-S1
Date for anterior fusion of L4-L5 Using BMP: 14 September 2009
Micro D is a rather minimal surgery. I didn't have stitches either. I was up and feeling fairly great after mine. I have a bit of soreness for a few days, but that was about it. I hope you continue to recover well.
Linda
Ruptured discs L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 May 2007
One ESI in 2007 with lots of PT
Microdiscectomy and foraminotomy L5/S1 December 2007
Worsening of symptoms (back pain, sciatica, right leg weakness) June 2008
New MRI and Discogram show all three discs torn through the annulus, left to right, all three levels
2 ESIs unsuccessful in managing pain
PT, Duragesic pain patch and percocet for break-through
Was told nothing could be done for me because I had three levels and DDD
Given option of three-level fusion after being told nothing could be done
Surgery was November 19, 2008 fusing L3/4 to S1
Attempted PLIF (from both sides) on November 19th.
Rods and pins were placed, but scar tissues prohibited removal of the old discs.
On November 24th, I had ALIF (opened from top of pubic bone to the bottom of my left ribcage) and removed the torn discs, placed dowels with cadaver bone, and some of my own bone marrow mixed with BMP. I left the hospital on the 26th of November.
Currently suffering temporary (hopefully) nerve damage of both legs and total numbness of right foot. Strange tingling in both feet at 4.5 months out of surgery. Numbness still exists in right foot at almost 9 months out.
Weaned off Fentanyl patches and only take occasional percocet for pain.
I had mine endoscopically and I had 2 incisions with about 3 stitches in each one. I think that everyone is very different in the recovery stage. It may also depend on things like how much of the disc was removed. Mine was radical. I had the better portion of my disc removed and my recovery was not at all pleasant. I am glad to hear that you are doing well so far and I hope that your recovery continues well. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
MicroD here in July. Yep- I was glued as well.
Re: sitting and letting the pain be your guide... What I found was that my surgeon was the least 'careful' post-op with what he suggested I do movement/activity wise, my primary care physician a bit more cautious, and my physical therapist the most demanding of caution. I'm going with a mixture of the PCP (be careful, let things be your guide so that you don't become so guarded that you end up doing damage in the future because of that, but do not push yourself hard too quickly) and physical therapist (caution, work on things slowly, recognize that your anatomy has been changed, build on your activity- don't just jump it up). Also, I was told- by all 3- NO sitting for more than 15 minutes whatsoever for the first 2 weeks post-op.
Another thing I keep in mind is this: my PT told me that over the last 5-10 years, in her experience it is the discectomy patients that are THE most cautious for the first few weeks and the most diligent about their PT and making healthful decisions throughout the first 4-6 months that have the best long-term (well, in this case, 5-10 years) results. "If you push yourself now, you're going to regret it soon."
Good luck! Take care of yourself
28 years old; significant back pain & occasional leg pain; tried: acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, medication, decompression therapy, epidurals, facet joint injections (all no to limited results); lumbar microdiscectomy @ L4-5 July 22, 2009 (and now we'll see what happens...)