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

Oh thank goodness for all of you. 

I go for my surgery in January of 2018, and my fear is I won't be able to climb months after the surgery :( 

Anyone wanna be buddies to help me deal with this?! 

Ksubarurs wrote:

Oh thank goodness for all of you. 

I go for my surgery in January of 2018, and my fear is I won't be able to climb months after the surgery :( 

Anyone wanna be buddies to help me deal with this?

Likelihood is that you're going to be just fine.  Heal up, do the PT, and then get back to it.  My doc and PT told me that after 6 months of healing, the disc that had ruptured was no more likely to re-rupture than an uninjured disc.  Take a little rest.  Sacrifice your climbing in the short-term to make it possible in the long-term.  Realize that 80% of your recovery will be done in the first 6-8 months, but that the last 20% is really slow (could be several years) to come along.  I'm climbing harder now than I did before surgery (of course, that was a low bar).

Hey misc, can anyone recommend a good office chair for 10-12+ hours of use? I want to buy a good quality chair and so far, I have run through some of the cheap $150-$200 chairs

After spine surgery, you can some changes in your routine, like your sitting place. You can use a chair which is specially designed for back surgery. I think you must use it, and get more chances to recovery soon.

Bill Kirby wrote: No horror story here. I started to have pain around the first of last year. It would come and go but I didn't go to the Doc until March. They did an MRI and found two badly herniated disks. The doctors said I could've be paralyzed if I fell down stairs or off a curb. My L4 and L5 were so close together they were almost pinching my spinal cord. Did the micro not fusion and eight weeks later I was mountain biking in Whistler BC. I even flipped over the bars and no trouble. I'm not saying there's not bad things happening out but listen to your doctor. You're active so you'll recover. If you do surgery start walking ASAP. I could walk after 3 days. I walked a mile after 7 and 3 after 14 by week 8, I was walking 25 miles/week. Watch the pills too. Those things will have you believing you need them forever. I take Advil now and that's it.

Your cord ends at l2 so l4 and l5 werent pinching your cord

Jodie Keefer wrote:

Your cord ends at l2 so l4 and l5 werent pinching your cord

 You joined MP to correct a four year old post? 

I don’t know if anyone is still reading this, but I had a microdisectomy when I had just turned 18. It’s very rare to see this kind of injury on someone so young, but it happens. I first started noticing pin on vacation in June of 2017. I was taking ibuprofen/ Aleve constantly because I thought I had just pulled a muscle. Finally around sepetember/ early October the constant aching pain of my sciatic nerve pain in my left leg would not go away, so my mom took my to the doctor. After that I took an MRI, showing a bulging/ herniated disc on L5 if I remember correctly. After this point, it was a nightmare with insurance to get them to do anything for me, and this took months all while I was still in constant pain. I could barely move/sit/ lay down without being in pain. Finally, I was scheduled for an epidural, which I went in to do with extremely high hopes that it would help. Firstly, it hurt like hell (the needle is huge) and only dimmed my symptoms for about 4-5 days. I know that if you go to the doctor they have so many success stories of sciatic nerve pain going away with epidural injections- but mine didn’t. I was devastated after because I thought I would be able to do everything I wanted to again- volleyball, ride in the car without aching pain down my leg, or even just lay comfortably. After that injection didn’t work, I went in for another (I think you can do up to 3 in a year?) and for this one they gave me a heavy sedative because I told them how much the last one hurt. Didn’t feel this one at all, but again, the effects only lasted for 2-3 days this time. After informing my other doctor at the spinal center, he basically told me there is nothing else you can really do except see a surgeon. So that I did. Initial appt was him looking at my scans and background info, and he agreed that the final approach would be surgery. Yes I was scared, but I would do anything to get rid of the pain at this point. So in February of 2018 ( keep in mind I had been in pain for about 9 months at this time) I had a microdisectomy. Overall the surgery took about 2 hours, and the scar is literally tiny. I woke up in pain but was given pain killers. For the next two weeks I was bed-ridden, and had to constant ice my back (there is no one you would be able to go to school/ work during this time, seeing as you can barely walk). I was feeling so much better, almost like I was free. Eventually I got around to physical therapy. Make sure you have a spinal therapist work on you. DO NOT TAKE ANYONE WHO ISNT. At first I had someone who isn’t, and they used a muscle massages on me/ made me do things I was NOT ready for. I got back home that day and cried on my floor because the pain had come back. After a few days, it started to go away, and I was given the specialist. He helped my recovery so much and I am so grateful to this day for my therapist. It is an EXTREMELY slow process getting back to the strength/ stamina you were once at; however, it is so worth it in the end when you get on the treadmill and can run a mile without that horrible pain in your leg ( about 6-7 months post-op). I am now a year post-op and have no sciatic nerve pain at all. Only sometimes do I get tingling in my foot because the damage done to my Burberry while my disc was bulging. To end this, I just want to stay do not give up! It takes a very long time to see your pain go away, but it will eventually ! -2019

Resurrecting an oldish thread here - just want to say thanks to Bill, Burton and others who detailed their experiences before and after having a microdiscetomy.

I've had radiculopathy from an L4/L5 disc herniation for several years. Physical therapy, McKenzie exercises, chiropractors, acupuncture, massages, epidural, prescriptions, extended rest ... nothing has helped get back to anywhere near 100%.

I've been in a pretty dark place for the past two months as symptoms have worsened to the point that I'm sidelined from any normal physical activities. It sucks knowing that my long list of climbing & endurance goals for 2019 are likely delayed significantly.

The surgery is scheduled for one month from now. I will try to give updates afterward here in case there are others dealing with the same issue or decision. Thanks again to all who contributed here.

 Good luck with the surgery Jared! I’m just across the bay from you now if you ever wanna catch up.

May your recovery be complete and swift, Jared.  So thankful I had that surgery.

An update after having a microdiscectomy on March 13 ...

The surgery was quick and easy, as expected. I walked out of the facility about 3 hours post-op with relatively low pain - no doubt due to the Rx meds. I walked ~2 miles the same day (encouraged by physician) and several miles each day since then. Limited to walks though ... no bending, stretching, twisting, lifting or PT for 4 weeks.

I was initially disappointed to have ongoing leg pain & numbness post-op. It was same intensity as the past several months. My expectations were probably too high after hearing others claim immediate & complete pain relief. I admittedly had a couple rough nights fighting internal demons in the past week ... frustrated and thinking worst-case outcomes.

Thankfully, I've had a huge improvement in the past 48 hours. I endured a 2-hour car ride and 4-hour flight from Chicago to California completely pain free yesterday. It was the first day without pain occupying my mind in over 4 months. It seems trivial but I can sit for an hour pain-free! Some leg numbness persists although less than before.

I can't even describe how happy this makes me feel - to be optimistic for a solid recovery in the coming months. There will no doubt be challenges ahead, but I've finally started on the road to recovery.

For anyone considering the procedure - PM me if you'd like a doctor recommendation. I had an A+ experience with a surgeon in Chicago - a great team from initial MRI review to scheduling, surgery, and post-op follow up.

Jared- Glad to hear re. recovery.  As you're probably finding, the pain relief from the rupture tends to be the focus of anyone who's had this.  Because the rupture has damaged nerves, your body will need time (sometimes a lot of time) to regrow the nerve tissue, so don't expect the numbness and other issues to go away quickly, particularly if you've had them for a long time.  Also, keep moving and have the PT help you figure out how to control best the growth of scar tissue-- which, if uncontrolled, can leave you with some limitations.

Had a microdiscectomy for a bulging disc at L5-S1 on March 8. Prior to surgery, I had pain lifting my left foot more than about 14 inches with a straight leg, as well as numbness down the back of my leg and weakness in my left foot.

So far the pain is gone, but I still have weakness and numbness. Anyone with similar experiences? How long did it take for the weakness to go away?

Also, did anyone have to adjust their climbing style or other mechanics after a herniated disc? It seems like climbing with a stiffer core might be the key, but wondering others' experiences.

Also, Jared M, I'm right there with ya, man.

Anyone with experience with weakness in their legs before/after the surgery? Does the strength eventually come back? My calf still feels numb and slow and weak. Does anyone have similar experiences?

Thanks!

EJN wrote: Anyone with experience with weakness in their legs before/after the surgery? Does the strength eventually come back? My calf still feels numb and slow and weak. Does anyone have similar experiences?

Thanks!

Yes.. I’ve found core exercises help. Especially planks 

Bill Kirby wrote:

Yes.. I’ve found core exercises help. Especially planks 

Bill, it seems like you had a microdiscectomy a while back. Do you mean that planks helped in the immediate months after surgery, or that if you don't keep up on them still that the numbness/weakness comes back?

I recognize everyone's recovery is different, but just wondering specifics if you're willing to share.

EJN wrote:

Bill, it seems like you had a microdiscectomy a while back. Do you mean that planks helped in the immediate months after surgery, or that if you don't keep up on them still that the numbness/weakness comes back?

I recognize everyone's recovery is different, but just wondering specifics if you're willing to share.

 The biggest thing that helped me the first eight weeks after surgery was all the walking i did. My surgeon advised me to stay active, due to the fact I was already active, and didn't sign me up for any PT after surgery. I walked outta the hospital as F*&K sitting in that wheel chair then getting out of it. After a couple days I walked to the end of my street. A week went by and I walked to the end of my neighborhood. By the end of week 2 I was walking 2-3 miles and then 4 then 5 miles by week eight. After eight weeks I was cleared for regular activity and stopped all opiates. That sucked!! Week nine I left for Whistler BC for a month. I climbed and went bike riding. Once I got back from Canada it was week 14. I started doing core exercises. About six months after surgery I started lifting again. The amount of exercising and weightlifting I do directly affects how much pain I'm in day to day. The more activity the better I feel. The more sit on the couch i more I have back pain, numbness around my hip and foot. I would say the biggest hurdle will be knowing when to push through the pain and when to rest.

 Good luck with the recovery. Happy to chat whenever

Bill Kirby wrote:

 The biggest thing that helped me the first eight weeks after surgery was all the walking i did. My surgeon advised me to stay active, due to the fact I was already active, and didn't sign me up for any PT after surgery. I walked outta the hospital as F*&K sitting in that wheel chair then getting out of it. After a couple days I walked to the end of my street. A week went by and I walked to the end of my neighborhood. By the end of week 2 I was walking 2-3 miles and then 4 then 5 miles by week eight. After eight weeks I was cleared for regular activity and stopped all opiates. That sucked!! Week nine I left for Whistler BC for a month. I climbed and went bike riding. Once I got back from Canada it was week 14. I started doing core exercises. About six months after surgery I started lifting again. The amount of exercising and weightlifting I do directly affects how much pain I'm in day to day. The more activity the better I feel. The more sit on the couch i more I have back pain, numbness around my hip and foot. I would say the biggest hurdle will be knowing when to push through the pain and when to rest.

 Good luck with the recovery. Happy to chat whenever

I have found this to be true as well.  I walked like crazy and after three weeks called to ask if I could do an exercise bike just to make it something different and it was snowing outside.  Walked on the treadmill, in the snow.  

I also noticed if I get lax on the exercises and stretches I will start to feel it again.  Also weight control.  My bodies happiest at a given weight and uncomfortable about ten pounds over that so in the winter I notice if I creep towards that number.

https://www.climbing.com/news/whipped-benched/

More food for thought for folks.

EJN wrote:

Bill, it seems like you had a microdiscectomy a while back. Do you mean that planks helped in the immediate months after surgery, or that if you don't keep up on them still that the numbness/weakness comes back?

I recognize everyone's recovery is different, but just wondering specifics if you're willing to share.

Give it time.  Move.  Let your nerve damage heal.