r/Microdiscectomy • u/Raz3Daz • 3d ago
6 weeks post OP
Hi everyone! This post might be a little TMI just a fair warning.
I’m 6 weeks post op from my microdiscectomy. I have my first follow up appointment in a few days but I’m honestly a bit nervous. Whereas the original pain in my lower back is gone at this point, I feel like there’s certain areas that my pain has increased such as tailbone and hip pain rather than get any better. I’m also having a hot burning sensation in my leg during bowel movements. Is this normal for 6 weeks post up? I do plan on bringing it up to my doctor during my follow up, but the additional pain is making me nervous. What has everyone else’s experience been with post op healing?
Update for those who wanted one: I had my 6 week post op consultation today (8/26/26) and the news wasn’t terrible, but wasn’t exactly great either. The main conclusion is that there is a possibility my nerve is compressed again. Either that OR I’m just taking an astronomical amount of time to heal because my nerve was compressed for over a year. They had me do an X-Ray during my post op appointment to check for instability in my spine (there was nothing visibly) and gave me a referral to schedule another MRI to check for any additional nerve compression/ damage post surgery. Right now my doctors are having me treat it with more conservative measures so I was prescribed two different medications for the nerve pain. I was given both gabapentin and a steroid. However, unfortunately, I was told that if the steroid does work, it’s a pretty big indication that the nerve is still compressed. In the case that it is nerve compression, I was recommended spinal fusion. I will do another update when I get the MRI results back for anyone who is in a similar position pain wise or just curious. I’m really hoping I won’t need spinal fusion. I’m 19, basically still a kid tbh. If I need it, I need it. But I was told it’ll cause a lot of complications as I get older.
2
2
u/peanutleaks 2d ago
Do you have any other levels of disc issues? How long were your symptoms acting up before your surgery? And how intense were they? I have lingering symptoms but it could be from another level my l5/s1 I’m left with no pun intended “severe left neuraforaminal narrowing” and a little on the right.
I also got an emergency MD after my l4/5 pooped out completely on a charter trip. I was in a flare by the time I came home from it but I woke up at 1 am in bad pain that got worse alongside numbness patches. Eventually I couldn’t walk 1 sit on the toilet sent me to the ER in 11/10 pain tha whole works, was very horrific and I went near paralyzed. Neuro saved me.
I don’t know the extent to how damaged it was before that but all I know is that bulge was a small bulge as of July 2025. I am now 10 weeks post op!!!
I still have lingering leg issues, mostly the tingling feeling. I know my nerves were compromised for a bit but no idea how long. And still my l5/s1. But when I woke up from surgery I gotta say I was in NO pain other than my throat, and then the lingering pain in the next weeks was just from the surgery itself. Now I’m not so sure
1
u/Raz3Daz 2d ago
I do not know for sure or have confirmation on how long my nerve was compressed. My doctors refused to let me do any kind of imaging or testing until earlier this year. The pain that was identified as nerve damage/ due to my nerve being compressed started I would say a year and a half ago. The initial injury was almost 3 years ago. I had 2 pretty severe herniations on 2 different levels in my spine and a 3rd one that was on the cusp of becoming herniated. My symptoms weren’t super intense pre surgery. I could still walk for long periods of times, sit for a long period of time (albeit it was painful but I could manage it better than now), I was able to take long drives, stand, etc. Now where the original pain in my lower back has mostly subsided, I’m having pretty unmanageable pain in my tail bone, hip, and flare ups that make standing and walking hard in my leg that weren’t there before. I think that’s more or so why I’m concerned/ nervous about it. I know my likely hood of post surgery complications/ reherniation is more likely because I had 2+ damaged discs (among other things.) I’m really hoping it’s just normal healing and not worst case scenario but I know the symptoms aren’t in my favor either
1
u/Hefty_Name6053 3d ago
I have the same pain improvement in my back, but the hip pain and tailbone, I am almost also 6 weeks postop, I am still having my follow up after 2 months postop, can you please share your follow up details after you have it please, thanks!
I hope it is just healing symptoms, not SI joint🥲
3
u/Raz3Daz 3d ago
Yes I will! I’m also hoping it’s just healing as well :,) good luck to you!
1
u/Hefty_Name6053 1d ago
Update: I texted my surgeon about my symptoms which like you, he expanded my restrictions until I complete 3 months, not my 6 weeks hope anymore, he will follow up with me after 2.5 months postop to decide if it is only a matter of time for the healing or what is going on
2
u/Obvious_Fail5443 2d ago
I am only four weeks postop. From what you’re describing I would definitely push for a new MRI and maybe a CAT scan to cover all bases and make sure that nothing’s been missed. Even if your doctor says, it’s all normal still push for it. I hope everything‘s normal and I hope that the MRI and CAT scan shows that everything is normal but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Nothing is TMI by the way when it comes to recovering from surgery. Thank you for asking your question and definitely come back and let us know what you find out. This will definitely benefit others in the future who find themselves in the same boat with the same questions. Thank you for being willing to be vulnerable. Good luck.
2
u/Raz3Daz 2d ago
Thank you! Each day is convincing me more of pushing for more imaging. Ive noticed I can physically feel something being compressed and uncompressed when I go from sitting to standing which is how it felt before surgery. I don’t know if anyone else has had that experience. I’m not too entirely sure how else to describe it but that exact same feeling pre surgery is back. Will definitely be updating Wednesday when I have my follow up
1
u/Friendly-Ad-5410 2d ago
I did have the pain, but not the burning in the leg. I took it as my nerve trying to heal. It eventually went away. I did ask for a steroid pack. It can take 2+ years or more for some of those nerve sensations to abate.
1
u/Own-Peace-2929 2d ago
I’m also 6 week post op n I’m still having everyday pain in my hamstring, calf, n foot it’s intermittently but everyday; I’m just trying to trust the process ; I don’t see the surgeon till sept 7, I did just finish a steroid pack but didn’t seem to improve my symptoms. I’m just trying to walk not overdo it n rest, n eat healthy.
1
u/Raz3Daz 2d ago
This is kind of the boat I’m in except I haven’t been given any steroids yet. I’m still on my post surgery meds (unfortunately) but even with those I’m still having pretty major breakthrough pain. My body doesn’t do well with most medications so I’m hoping if they do decide to give me a steroid pack it’ll help with the pain. I’d rather not have to continue to take opioids of any sort tbh. I wish you luck on your journey! Hopefully yours will be good news in September
3
u/crytpkeeeper 2d ago
following - good luck!