Discectomy surgery

jcectomy

Hi am 36 and scheduled for surgery on Sept. 12, 2016. I have a herniated disc L5-S1 on the left. They have scheduled surgery for my left side only? With a discecotomy can they work on both sides at the same time while they have me open? I have been having pains on my right side the last couple of weeks. 

Ellen625

Hi jcectomy
I am not sure but I would think if there was an issue on the other side it would have shown up in any diagnostic testing that was done? Obviously this is a question for your surgeon.

I had a microdiscectomy at L5S1 on the right side and while it was pretty successful, i couldnt imagine having both sides done at once. I'm not even sure that would be a good thing to do. Maybe you are overcompensating on the other side. 
Ellen 

smartens162

I was thinking along the same lines as Ellen, that perhaps the pain on the right side is because it is working harder to make up for lack of function on the left side.  But certainly make your surgeon aware of the new issues before the surgery.  If your discectomy surgery is done as per normal (I had discectomy surgery for ruptured L5-S1 too), I would think the small incision will be close to the middle of your lower back, and they will try to get out as much disc fragments as they can safely reach without doing too much damage in there.  But you should ask your surgeon to explain exactly how it will be done and I think this will put your mind at ease.  All the best to you in your surgery and recovery!

Nana107

Yes they can. I had a discectomy February 2011 L3--S1
I wish you the best of luck. My recovery was not bad at all, just follow instructions on aftercare. It will be very important in your healing. Keep us posted when you feel up to it.

Savage

hello jcectomy !
welcome to spine-health

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