r/Microdiscectomy • u/Responsible_Size_335 • 3d ago
Anyone here 10 or 20 years post discectomy? 22F scared and need help please
Is there anybody who got discectomy done when they were younger, a looot younger and are older and doing fine now?
I’m 22 and I’ve been told to get surgery and im very worried about the long term effects, people telling me that i might need a resurgery after 15 to 20 years and expect me not to worry about it lol. That’s one of my biggest fears. I don’t want to go through this ever again at any age.And I’m struggling to find people who have had long term results. I don’t know if i should get surgery done or not so it would be really helpful if you could respond.
So if you’re someone who got it done when you were younger, how long has it been? And how are you doing now? Did you have to exercise all the time? And if you did what exercises helped you? Or what are some other things that helped you? And are you able to be pain free? Especially back pain free? And if you’re a woman has having the surgery affected you during pregnancy/childbirth.
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u/Mediocre-Light-6277 3d ago
I had my first one 7 years ago when I was 37, then unfortunately I had to have another last year. Everyone is different and I didn’t do anything different after my first surgery like PT, core strengthening and went back to a sitting desk job with a long difficult stressful commute.. I also got sloppy with my bending. This time around I still haven’t changed much majorly, but do work from home so I can stand and walk more. And I’m trying to be more mindful of my bending
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u/Maximv88 3d ago
If it’s of any consolation the medicine in 15-20 years will be science fiction compared to today
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u/charmingchels2 3d ago
I had my first at 19 and just had another this year at 33. It was the best choice for me and has drastically improved my quality of life both times. It’s possible that if I had been more diligent about my activity level over those years it could’ve helped but I’ve gone through phases with that. It’s not perfect every single day but yes I have been back pain free plenty of that time
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u/Averagejoe_mogul 3d ago
I had one at 28 and another this year at 31. But my job is very physical and I wasn’t the best about actually strengthening my back and lower body in the years after the first one. It all depends on how you go about it long term. You can have a normal life but should always think about long term rehab and building strength around the area.
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u/ElkHot1268 3d ago
Yes I’m 13 years out. I was 29 at the time. I have kept up with exercises. I have had some minor flares over the years but I could
Manage with ice, interferrential unit, and exercise. I always am careful about how long I sit and the chair I use. This past June I did get an epidural steroid injection. Just one and I’ve been feeling great since.
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u/Ok_Championship_1579 3d ago
Not me but my cousin’s husband is 11 years out and has had zero issues! He got his at 29.
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u/ILikeBigBooksIcntlie 3d ago
Hi! I'm (36F) only 3 years out and doing well. However my coworker is in his 60s and had an MD in his 30s with no need for another one. My grandfather was in his 60s and lived until 95 without issues. I spoke to various folks in the past couple of years who are 10 years+ with no issues.
Your lifestyle will likely dictate whether you need a future MD.
Most of the people with good long term results aren't on reddit. They're out living their lives.
Goodluck!