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Surgeon is going to do a Discectomy on one, possibly 3 Discs. What can I expect as far as recovery time and pain / discomfort. Male, 61 y/o, somewhat active, and otherwise healthy. Work requires some lifting (50 lbs.), and on my feet 6 hours a day. Thanks.
Yes, I had one in 2019 at L5/S1 for a herniated disc with nerve root compression. Surgery was very easy. I arrived around 5:30 am and went home around Noon. The pain at the incision site (which was only an inch long) was comparatively nonexistent compared to the pain the surgery corrected. I didn't even use any of the narcotic they prescribed, I only took ibuprofen for about 2 days. You're having multiple levels done, so you'll probably have more discomfort than I did, though.
Recovery was also easy. I took it easy for a few days and that was it. However, there are lifting restrictions of no more than 5-10 pounds for a few weeks after, and I didn't exercise at all (other than walking) for about 6 weeks.
With the work requirements you describe above, I doubt you will be able to work for several weeks, you certainly won't be able to do the lifting....
I had one to correct a herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve. Day surgery. I was uncomfortable for several days but nothing really bad. It fixed my sciatica. Mine was 14 years ago so the procedure may be improved since 2007.
Another success story here. I had discectomy and laminectomy in 2005. Have only had minor issues since then (no hard core pain meds, just some advil once in awhile). I was working an office/desk job so I was back to work in two weeks. I agree with Texas Ag93 - your recovery may take a little longer.
OP here, Doc called, said my Herniated Disc have healed themselves, but know is talking about a Fusion at S1 I believe. He compared last years MRI to the new one last week......this really instills confidence. My job requires 50 lbs......he sez "Never happen", so I gues retirement is sooner than expected....I'm okay with that.
I had one to correct a herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve. Day surgery. I was uncomfortable for several days but nothing really bad. It fixed my sciatica. Mine was 14 years ago so the procedure may be improved since 2007.
My sister had this done because of unrelenting sciatica. Don't know how many vertebrae were involved. No complications, pretty easy recovery without heavy duty pain or pain meds according to her (and she's extremely paranoid/fussy about all things medical). Resolved her sciatica. She's out about 4 months now and very glad she went ahead with it. The relief was major.
Last edited by Parnassia; 02-11-2021 at 04:06 PM..
Surgeon is going to do a Discectomy on one, possibly 3 Discs. What can I expect as far as recovery time and pain / discomfort. Male, 61 y/o, somewhat active, and otherwise healthy. Work requires some lifting (50 lbs.), and on my feet 6 hours a day. Thanks.
From what I've researched, it's a 50% chance it will work and 50% chance it will make the disk bulge more. For me, it made the disk bulge more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by beer belly
OP here, Doc called, said my Herniated Disc have healed themselves, but know is talking about a Fusion at S1 I believe. He compared last years MRI to the new one last week......this really instills confidence. My job requires 50 lbs......he sez "Never happen", so I gues retirement is sooner than expected....I'm okay with that.
Do you mean L5S1? I'm fused there in 2002 and rods and screws were added in 2006. I was 37 when I had the 1st surgery that failed. It didn't fuse all the way, I had micro motion which was bone rubbing metal on the fusion with every step I took.
I have a friend that fused the same level (we're both women with men's jobs) at 62, I told her to baby her back. She did baby it as much as she could for the 1st few months then was back to her old life. It will be 2 years July 3rd, she's doing ok. If it's going to fail she will find out this summer after riding her new Harley that's a bigger bike then we both usually ride. We usually do 1200 Sportsters.
I have better advice, instead of fusing, look for someone that does a flexible disk. Backs are not made to be stiff. I wish I would have gotten a flexible disk. In 2006 (after my fusion), I met someone that had 3 levels done in Germany with flexible disks that had a better outcome. They weren't being done in the US back then but are being done now so you have more options then me.
If you do fuse, please, whatever you do, baby your back for the 1st year. I did not and I was 20 years younger then you. Mine failed. Ask the doctor which kind of fusion he's doing, is it cadaver bone or hip bone? Mine was cadaver. Not sure what my friend had.
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. My job requires 50 lbs......he sez "Never happen", so I gues retirement is sooner than expected....I'm okay with that.
