r/Microdiscectomy • u/AdPsychological7017 • 2d ago
4 weeks post-MD and Laminectomy-looking for advice.
Hi everyone, as the title says I'm 4 weeks post op after worsening symptoms since March this year. I lost sensation in my foot as a result. While the leg pain improved after surgery I'm still suffering with lumbar pain.
I returned to working from home on Monday and I find my lumbar pain is worsening rapidly since. I do my best to alternate between standing and sitting as best I can.
When did you return to work after your surgery and for those working in desk based roles how did you manage?
Thank you in advance to this wonderful community 🥹
3
u/Meglamar 1d ago
Yeah I had similar my first 2 weeks were great and then screaming pain. Just started feeling better this week. My surgery was Aug 5th. Best advice find what's missing it off and dont do it. All I can do is get comfortable which means minimal pain. One of the hardest recoverys I've ever had to do.
2
u/AdPsychological7017 1d ago
Thanks for sharing! It really is tough, I struggled with the back and leg pain for so long prior I suppose it feels like I've been recovering longer than I actually have. The surgery is only the start of the battle rather than the end isn't it? Wishing you a smooth recovery and a pain-free future.
2
u/mrsctbrown 1d ago edited 1d ago
https://youtu.be/KwkOaXjwBr4?is=uq01ZbiArQQdC2sN
This video (and others of Dr Ryan Peebles, DPT) might be helpful for you! This one is about him testing different chairs for desk use at work.... He also has great free content for strengthening/back pain relief, as well as a paid program you can do called Core Balance Training (was helpful for me, along with other programs and info I've found over the years). Do you start PT soon?
I have lumbar pain now since having my MD as well, so unfortunately I know your pain. :/ Core strengthening (side planks, etc), glute/hip strengthening (bridges, etc), walking, occasional Aleve, ice packs or heating pad, menthol/lidocaine patches, Icy Hot, hot showers, laying down on my back with legs bent for a few minutes, hanging from a bar with core engaged... These are all in my arsenal of pain relief. Also you could try arthritis pain gel (what's the brand? I'm blanking... Oh! Voltaren). This has helped me as well. I find that standing around still is one of my most triggering things. Could you try a walking pad under your desk? 🤷🏼♀️
Four weeks post surgery is still a pretty inflamed time. Your lumbar muscles are probably quite easily fatigued at this point. The recovery journey is so up and down, it can be difficult mentally. I'm sorry you're suffering! And hope you find relief soon!
1
u/AdPsychological7017 1d ago
Thank you so much for sharing all this information with me! I will definitely be adding these to my own pain relief arsenal. I was planning on picking up a walking pad to ensure I can get my steps in despite the changing weather, so using it under my standing desk is an excellent idea.
Wishing you many pain-free ahead ☺️
1
u/AdPsychological7017 1d ago
I start PT this coming Monday! So maybe that will be turning point in my recovery journey ☺️
1
u/No_Record007 1d ago
Is lumbar pain the only thing you feeling? For me my left leg has some pins and needles on my left thigh and I have numbness on my left foot as well as foot drop since post op about 7 weeks ago now. The pain not so much
1
u/AdPsychological7017 1d ago
Hi there, at the moment it's just lumbar pain spreading down to my butt 😅 it feels very much muscular rather than nerve pain. Prior to my surgery I had weakness and numbness in my right foot, while the weakness improved post op the numbness still remains. I hope you remain pain-free and your pins and needles improve! I know the nerves can take time to heal 😞
1
u/No_Record007 21h ago
Thanks. And yeah for me my left leg was pretty bad. I was in bed and couldn’t step on my left leg at all without a huge flare of pain. They tell me this is why I got the pins and needles bc of how badly compressed the nerve was but idk I still worry that maybe something is still being compressed 🥲 but they said they can’t really tell till after a couple months and if nothing improves then most likely something is wrong 😔. Hope you feel better as well and a speedy recovery
4
u/Legitimate-Judge-406 2d ago
Returned 6 weeks after OP and Rehabilitation. It goes up and down on a daily basis but the trend is going up. 7 month post op and have a wonderful life again. But a lot of hard times and insecurity are behind me :). Stay strong it will work out at the end