Mountain Project Logo

L4-L5 Bulged disc right side and Micro-discectomy surgery

Kingsmountain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0

Lee, Thanks for the info. My surgeon is never that specific, he just tells me that he's not worried.

Burton Lindquist · · Madison, WI · Joined Jan 2002 · Points: 4,215

Kingsmountain...

It really helps to hear from someone in similar straights. Thanks.

Lee...

What you are saying makes alot of sense to me concerning the body and it's own nerve repair. I am well aware it's going to take some time and much effort to reverse the damage.

I am having other issues with all this as well and the body expending energy to heal and repair the damaged sciatic nerve probably explains some of these issues. They say the sciatic nerve bundle is one of the largest in the body outside the central nerve within the spinal cord. I am having issues with alot of muscle tension and muscle aches in the upper body.. mostly the neck muscles and the upper and lower arms... mild burning and tingle too in these areas

gf9318 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 0

Hi Burt,

Haven't posted here in a while, just wanted to share some thoughts and send some mojo your way, from someone who overcame a similar back injury ad is now climbing better than ever.

I can't emphasize the mental aspect enough. I've actually had some phantom sciatic pain after a particularly difficult work week of traveling. That slight pain, which was more like an itch was enough to throw me into deep stress and depression contemplating returning to my old situation of months on the floor. I've addressed it by returning to my personal meditation techniques and targeted mobilization and exercise, but the taste has reminded me that I will be dealing with this for the rest of my life.

With this in mind I wanted to share with you a site with a lot of discussion about the science of pain, bettermovement.org/for-new-…
I found it very enlightening and allowed me to approach my situation with more knowledge and less fear.

As far as standing desks go, I think they're great, but what you really need is circulation and conscious movement to heal and retrain your systems. Get a balance board, stretch, try a kneeling position, but don't stagnate in a lock kneed, round shouldered computer zombie position. I love rolling my feet with a lacrosse ball while I stand and type.

Disconnected thoughts, but I know how a little connection between like minds can heal in its own way. Stay strong and humble!

Anupam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

Dear Friends,

Kindly Give your inputs for me,I am 42 years (Male)
As I have already undergone last year from surgery of Lumber L4-L5 but again I am feeling pain on my right side hip joint and feeling very stuffiness after long sitting & on long standing posters.

Today I got Contrast MRI report as well and in this report MRI expert given the mild suppression of nerve between L4-L5 lumber portion.

Dr. not taking responsibility and saying that it happens in some of cases, is it possible?? I cant understanding this conditions kindly give me best inputs to do so further,

in awaiting of your positive responses, from dear friend's.

Regard's

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Anupam, Sorry to hear you're going through pain way after surgery. I think some discomfort is to be excepted. I don't know many who don't have some kind of something going on after fusion or a mircodiscectomy. I hope things workout.

I had mild pains in my back. Nothing that Advil didn't cure. I started back lifting weights and sit ups about eight weeks ago. It really helped with the pain and got me the strength I need to pull my fat a** up some harder routes too. I'm not sure what would help. I was mountain biking in Whistler valley eight weeks after surgery. Probably the dumbest thing you could do after a micro!

I wish you luck!

kristin a · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 0

Hi my name is Kristin and I'm 29 years old. I've had back issues since I was younger, 8weeks ago I ended up in the hospital for 4days not able to move my head. L5-L1 were protruding and causing the worst pain I've ever had. The Dr's did a spinal tap in the hospital and a mri and so on. Nothing seemed to work but over the few days I was there I started to move my head and sit up. I was sent home. I've started pain management and therapy and have had yet another tap. while I was in therapy I hurt something again and wasn't able to sit up for a few days. I now have to go see a sergeant. I'm scared to go, but came across this sight and found a lot of very helpful things on here, from what I've read I'm at a stopping point and will have surgery. with my added injury to my already a lot of pain I have new signs, like numbness to my feet and legs, shooting pain down my butt. my question to any of you is was the surgery worth it or should I wait it out? what was your experience like before and after surgery? I'm afraid if I don't do the surgery when it happens again it could cause a lot more damage then it has this time. knowing I've tried just about everything they recommend and it has somewhat better its still got me off work and I cant do normal thing yet. is the risk and the recovery worth all of it? how long did it take most of you to get back to what they call normal? {brushing your hair, laugh if you want whipping your butt with out pain
} and so on? Thanks for any support I get!

Syd · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Anupam,
I've also had L4/5 problems in the past and spent much time in hospital. I suspect it is related to the osteo arthritis in my hips with which I was diagnosed 8 years ago. Like you, I had great stiffness after sitting for even short periods. I found it painful to even roll over in bed at night. Do you get pain/tightness from the inside of your knee to the front of your hip ?

I've commented previously on the approach to treatment I've taken.

Burton Lindquist · · Madison, WI · Joined Jan 2002 · Points: 4,215

Kristin:

It is a tough call about the surgery and weather to have it or not. It would certainly be in your best interest to go see the n-surgeon at the very least and see what he or she has to say. You can still say no. Having a n-surgeon go over my MRI with me and explain everything was very helpful for me. I have to admit I am still having issues post surgery... but I am un-sure at this point if the sciatic nerve is still being irritated at a secondary point (piriformis muscle.... SI joint dysfunction)or that it was just so damaged originally by the L4L5 disc bulge that it is going to take eons to heal it back to something close to normal....

Ayomide1970 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

I guess I am the only person on this site who still has chronic pain after microdiscectomy surgery. I had an unrelentingly painful herniated disc at L5-S1 for about three years.Three epidural steroid injections later (after several rounds of physical and aqua therapy) the pain still did not reduce. I became very desperate for relief and underwent the first microdiscectomy in April 2014. I re-herniated approximately two weeks into recovery, and underwent a second microdiscectomy in June 2014. I am still experiencing intense pain. I have not returned to work since my first surgery. I was somewhat envious of all of the wonderful recovery stories and results posted, as I am in more pain now than before surgery. I am definitely happy to hear of so many wonderful results, I just feel a little alone in my current status. The pain I experience daily is in the same location as pre - surgery- lower back, back of thigh throbbing and aching, and pins and needles feeling in my left foot. I now also have spasms and cramping in my calf muscles and left buttock, and my back gives out randomly. My husband literally caught me and broke a fall twice this week. I try walking and within minutes I feel like my back is going to snap in half and my leg feels like I need to drag it to make it back home. Now just about all of my muscles below my waist have pain. I may need to add that I was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis recently (just before first surgery) and hypothyroidism over 10 years ago- received radioactive iodine treatment due to unmanageable hyperthyroidism, hence conversion to hypothyroidism. I was just hoping for a post that described similar post surgery results as mine so I don't feel like I'm losing my mind. I guess my misery was searching for company.

Erik Pohlman · · Westminster, CO · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 4,035

Ayomide1970, your results are more common than we would like to think. I see 'failed' spinal surgeries in my clinic all the time. I always suggest seeing a good physical therapist, not one who will treat you like a number, hand you a sheet of 'stabilization' exercises, and call it good. I suggest inquiring if they utilize Therapeutic Neuroscience Education, maybe the Associative Awareness Technique, and at least know the neuromatrix theory and some of David Butler and Lorimer Moseley's work.

Our bodies are not cars. I find people who have 'failed' surgeries and still experience their pre-surgical symptoms got treated thusly, though... 'bad' part, need to 'fix' it or replace it. All the while, we forget that all human experience, including pain, ultimately comes from our nervous systems.

Again, see a good physical therapist.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

A1970,

I've had lots of luck with my micro but I have two neighbors who have not. Both went from microdiscectomy to fusion. One has a screw backing out the other takes so many pain killers she's losing her memory. I think it's luck, fate, destiny, God or whatever you believe. Shit happens and there's no easy explanation. It's hard to accept. I'm like the luckiest guy on Earth. I dwell on the good stuff when i have to spend days or weeks inside laying on the couch waiting for the pain to go away. It's so easy to waste tons of time on worrying about stuff you can't controll.

I broke my collar bone eight weeks after surgery. I continue to MTB and climb against doctor's recommendation. My back has it's ups and downs. Others do all the right things and still have pain that limits their lifestyle.

I could PM you my surgeon's info if you'll close to Baltimore. Dude looks like doogie Hauser but did me right.

I wish you good luck. You'll be in my prayers.

Kingsmountain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0

To Israel Perez, Sorry I couldn't figure out how to PM you. The answer to your question is that I am 1 month away from a year out of surgery. I have no pain from the incision site but that had gone away in less than a month after surgery. I feel very fortunate because I am relatively pain free and I have been able to get back to life. When I over due it, I will get some discomfort in the lower back, but no radiating pain down the leg. On rare occasions I will take Motrin. I walk almost every day I can, and I'm back at the gym full speed. I have always been a gym rat and was into bodybuilding but I don't go that heavy anymore. Walking seems to be the best "medicine" for me. I've had days where I have played a round of golf, worked out at the gym, and stained my deck and suffered no pain. Occasionally I will hook up to a cheap home TENS unit which feels great. My surgeon said that at about the 1 year mark, that is how you are basically going to feel from then on, so I'm not disappointed. He further was only concerned about radiating pain, and not lower back discomfort. I have not had to contact him since last May. I hope I didn't jinx myself with this post, but again I feel very lucky.

Timothy W. Fritz · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 0

I am 2 weeks out of my Micro-discetomy surgery. I suffered a L4 Herniation affeting my L5 nerve. I as completeley out of leg burning/pain right after surgery. I was only sore due to the surgery. I stayed 1 in the hospital due to the pain. It was supposed to be a 45 minute procedure, but took 75 minutes due to my disk becoming calcified. This was a sign the disk has been hearniated for quite some time.

Any how, I just had my 2 week follow-up with the surgeon and will be returning to work this Tuesday as I have a desk job. I was advised that I can ONLY walk. No jogging, running, lifting, pushing and or pulling for the next 4 weeks. I have a follow-up apt. with the surgeon in 4 weeks to further discuss what I can and cannot do.

I had 2 opinions. First with an Orthopedic Surgeon and second with a Neurosurgeon. Since it involves your spine and nerves, it is HIGHLY recommended you go with a Neurosurgeon if you decide to have surgery.

Rigggs24 · · Denver, CO · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45
Timothy W. Fritz wrote: it is HIGHLY recommended you go with a Neurosurgeon if you decide to have surgery.
I see this is an older thread, but i don't really agree with this statement. There are a lot of orthopedic surgeons with a specialty in back surgery. If you are looking at disc fusion, first of all, Im sorry, but second of all, you should talk to an orthopedic surgeon IMO.

I had my L4/L5 fused about 14 months ago by an orthopedic surgeon in Denver area. He was great and I am way better off now. I dont even have much back pain at all anymore and only really get sore if i sit all day long or completely over do it. The recovery sucked horribly but im back to being pretty active. Top roping up to 11- and trying to get my lead head back on the easy stuff. Also went skiing last week for the first time after surgery. This year will be a bit less adventurous than others but Im hoping next year ill be full go.
J. Serpico · · Saratoga County, NY · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 140

I disagree on the neurosurgeon vs ortho thing. If your surgeon did his resident and fellowship in spinal surgery (the spine is also a bone and joint) he knows what he is doing. In fact, most of the top rated spine surgeons in the country are NOT neurosurgeons.

As far as any spinal surgery, the surgeons are just moving (gently) the nerves while they cut bone and remove tissue. They then gently check that the nerve I'd no longer compressed and free to move before closing you up. They don't actually do any neuro surgery. So it's about 99.9% orthopedic surgery, with a general avoidance of the nerves.

Ryan Barba · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Hey everyone. I'm not sure if this thread is considered "dead" yet, but since it's only been a month since the last post I thought I'd just reply instead of starting a new one.

It's good to hear all the success stories. I had pretty horrible sciatica for a few years and just had an L5-S1 micro in November. After the surgery-related pain went away, it was night-and-day. I'd forgotten what it was like not to have the pain down my leg. My posture and mobility improved so much that people were actually noticing.

Anyway, the doc said I should wait 3-5 months before resuming any serious activity (like climbing). I'm around 6 months out and I just did some bouldering in the gym last weekend. I didn't climb hard. My skin wouldn't have permitted it if I tried haha. But anyway, now I'm worried because now there's a slight ache in my lower back on the same side where I had the herniation. It's similar to the ache that was there when I was recovering.

Anyone have any advice on how to return to climbing? Because obviously I'm not doing it correctly.

Rigggs24 · · Denver, CO · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45

Ryan, I am currently still in what i would classify as recovery and its been 15 months since my L4-5 fusion. I am back to climbing about 3 times a week in the gym and can top rope up to 11b. I am still not leading anything above about 5.7 since I do not think im ready for taking lead falls. But that being said, I not nearly as strong or in nearly as good a shape as I was before surgery...yet.

The main thing for me is that I listen to my back and do not do anything that doesn't feel right. If something feel wrong, ill take a little time off and do some stretches and some core stuff until i feel good again. I did a lot of physical therapy focused on core and keeping a straight and relaxed spine. I actively try to reduce stress on my lower back by having good posture, squatting to pick things up, not sitting for extended periods, stretching as much as possible, and maintaining as good of form as i can throughout the entire day. And i mean I try to have good posture and form with everything from climbing to getting a pot out of a low cabinet in my kitchen. The stupid little things in life can hurt your back. I threw mine out several times from a sneeze and originally herniated my disc picking up my trad rack. Take it slow, listen to your back, and gradually increase your workouts as you get stronger. A PT is not a bad idea as well if that's an option for you. Good luck.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Ryan, don't Boulder! Don't know about you but bouldering hurts he worst. Jumping down on a crash pad is murder on my back.

Ryan Barba · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Maybe PT would be a good option. The Doc and I surmised that since I didn't really have any weakness or tingling in the left side (just pain), PT probably was okay to pass on. I'm guessing if he figured there was nerve damage he would have recommended PT.

Any good core stuff you can recommend off the top of your head? I realize I probably have basically no core strength after being away from any sort of exercises in that area for 6 months.

I suppose the impact from jumping down would be pretty bad. Luckily, I didn't jump down at all on Saturday. It was all down-climb, but I'll keep that in mind.

William Kramer · · Kemmerer, WY · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 935

Ryan, I had a L5-S1 micro a little over 3 years ago. What you have experienced sounds very very similar to what I had going on.

Bouldering is just not good after this surgery. Between the landing and the twisting and weird positions encountered more often when bouldering can cause further damage. I was feeling great last June, pushed it while bouldering indoors during a rainy week, and ended up having what was left of the disc bulge out more, just enough to cause that tingling feeling down my sciatica again. Fortunately, a back injection remedied it, but it put me out of climbing for 2 months. Like my surgeon reminded me, that area is weaker now, and won't take as much to damage. Never have had any pain or issues with taking lead falls since surgery. Only issue that I run into is my left calf cramps up when I heel hook with that leg.

As far as core exercises, Yoga works good, and roman sit ups, and planking. The yoga cat stretch always feels good on it, even though you may feel like you look ridiculous doing it. I tried a lot of different stretches, just a matter of finding what works and what doesn't. I walked a lot post surgery, which the doc said was probably one of the biggest contributions to my recovery. Just go slow, when I injured it again last summer, it really scared me, thought climbing might be done for long time.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Injuries and Accidents
Post a Reply to "L4-L5 Bulged disc right side and Micro-discecto…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.