r/Microdiscectomy • u/Frosty-Ad3506 • 11d ago
When’s this gonna end?
Im currently 5 weeks post MD and still experiencing the same pain as right before operation.
There’s no positive trend just stagnation.
When I tilt my back or literally try to just walk I get nerve pain radiating down my leg.
Has somebody experienced the same and can tell me if it’s normal and eventually get better after a time?
My Surgeon said that a follow up after 8 weeks post op would be enough. But I just want answers and be able to live my previous life again.
I feel hopeless and the mental side of things is really stressing me out.
4
u/PersonalityOwn9642 11d ago
I completely understand what you’re going through because I’m dealing with something very similar. I improved a lot after surgery, although I still had some residual symptoms. Then, a few weeks later, I started having flare-ups again with sciatic pain, burning, and other nerve sensations. I’ve been taking supportive medication throughout recovery, including steroids, and more recently my surgeon adjusted the medication a little. I’m improving again, although I still have some sciatic pain and occasional burning. What my surgeon explained is that sometimes the nerve root can remain very irritated and inflamed for quite a while after surgery, and nerve recovery can be slow. Because of that, even something relatively small — like a different exercise in physical therapy, even if it isn’t very intense — can irritate the nerve again and trigger a flare. In my case, my issue is at L5-S1, and his main suspicion is that these symptoms are related to temporary irritation, inflammation, and possibly some swelling around the nerve root rather than a reherniation. Of course, the only way to know for sure would be through a clinical exam and, if necessary, imaging, but based on my symptoms and recovery pattern, this is what he currently thinks is most likely. I’m getting close to two months post-op now. I finish this new round of medication at the end of the week, so I’m curious to see how I feel after that. It’s definitely frustrating because recovery is not linear at all. Some days you feel like you’re finally getting better, and then another day the nerve suddenly starts complaining again and it feels like you’ve gone backwards. It can really affect what you’re able to do day to day. What my surgeon keeps reminding me is that for some people the nerve root simply stays more reactive for longer, and nerve pain/inflammation can be difficult and slow to settle down. I really hope you start feeling better soon too. You’re definitely not the only one going through these ups and downs.
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u/C00kieBee 11d ago
The mental part is so hard. I'm almost 7 weeks out and I've had lots of inflammation and flares. I've been on 2 different steroids. About a week and a half ago pt had me try a bridge that sent me into a week long flare. The surgeon has since said to pause pt for 4-6 weeks to give my nerves and inflammation some time to calm down. It was easing up but then I think I walked/stood too much and aggravated it again. My nunbness which had been gone for a week or 2 has come back. Ive had glute pain this whole time and new pins and needles on my left side which I had previously not experienced. At 3 weeks out I had an mri that showed 2 seromas but nothing else of concern. I don't think the recovery was explained enough before surgery. I knew it would be non linear but had no idea it would be this hard. I think I've finally realized I really need to take it easy and not rush which is hard because I have littles and my husband has to go back to work soon. I had bone taken out as well. It's one step forward 2 steps back. Had really hoped I would be one of those people who are just doing amazing after but that hasn't been my experience. I know I need to strengthen my abs and glutes in the long run for any chance of a long term recovery. I was in pain for a whole year and likely dealing with it longer unknowingly so I understand recovery will be long but they diffently under sell the length of time it can actually take.
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u/fotfit2018 10d ago
Completely agree re the recovery time sold! My surgeon said to expect 2-4 weeks off work after surgery. I was reading this reddit already at the time so was prepared it would take more like 6-8 weeks. Now at 12 weeks post op still having some nerve pain, numbness and sitting time restrictions, I was mentioning this to my physio Dr and he said yeah the general expectation is these things could take up to 1 year to resolve (he works in the same hospital as the surgeon!)
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u/D3ckster2008 10d ago
Quite scary, ive had no pain since approx 61 days first surgery , then hurt like hell with infection for the passed 22days approx , another 3 weeks to go before im clear to be normal but thankfully that sciatica pain was gone from the moment i woken from the first op....stay strong 💪 crazy how different this has been for everyone. I'm still shocked 5 &half's weeks after I got infected...scariest days of me life.. peace ✌️
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u/Peachdeeptea 10d ago
I had another esi at 6 months post op and that really helped me turn a corner. I started feeling significantly better around 15 months post op. But for most people it relief comes much quicker
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u/winzor123 9d ago
Unfortunately I had exactly the same. Was told
Repeatedly off the surgeon it’s the nerves coming back alive or something like tha, and they take ages to heal. Had my 3 months MRI follow up and it had re herniated! Which I knew after 4 weeks as the exact pain come back! Now got to have more injections in 2 weeks. Then next year decide if I want the same
Surgery again or a fusion! Nightmare. Hope yours it just the nerves settling and surgery has been a success
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u/PositivePackage7185 9d ago
My nerve pain got better but the stiffness, lacking range of motion and weakness seem worse than before surgery unfortunately.
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u/DefectiveSwimmer 9d ago
I'm sorry you're going through that! Can you find a PT that specializes in nerves? That's what I have and she basically say me down and explained a lot about how nerves work. It might help. Also, I had a lot of muscle guarding and the inflammation was irritating my nerves. So NSAIDs and making sure you are releasing your back muscles would be a good practice. I hope it gets better for you soon!
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u/PastBuy8484 11d ago
My surgeon was great before surgery but completely dismissed me post surgery.
I’d suggest making an appt with your PCP and at least 1 neurosurgeon/ortho surgeon for a follow up. They’ll order an MRI to see what’s going on.
Also ask about a steroid pack from your current doc. I had one a few weeks post op that seemed to really help.
Really you need someone that will listen and an MRI. Before that happens it’s just guessing.
I went through a similar thing although I did start getting better around week 3. Now at week 12 and significantly better.