Herniated L5-S1 disc, sciatica, and microdiscectomy

[zeke]

I didn't want to cut in on the disc replacement discussion and thought that some of the people here might have experience with this situation.

I've had almost a year of sciatica from a herniated disc in the L5-S1 location. I haven't been able to detect any numbness or weakness, just the pain that comes and goes depending on the activity/position. I've been doing physical therapy every other day and stretching every day for the last year or so but the sciatica remains, especially after sitting for long periods and driving a car is the worst. It's been verified in an MRI and I've seen a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. Both have recommended a microdiscectomy.

My question is has anyone on here had a microdiscectomy for this condition, and if so were they happy with it? Did your sciatica come back or did you have any other complications? I'm not looking for a second opinion, just any similar experiences. I tried the search function for sciatica, microdiscectomy, and herniated disc but didn't see these questions asked before.

I've been doing a lot of research on the internet and talked to my doctors but I'm still nervous about surgery on my spine. I'm 33 and had the disc bulge the first time about 10 years ago but it went away with physical therapy until recently.

[Kyobanim]

My wife had it. Sounds exactly like what you have. No problems and short rehab.

Yes the problem recurred. About 6 months later.

[CDRODA396]

I herneated my L5-S1 in Northern Iraq around Mar/Apr 03. A sneeze would litterally almost knock me out, stars, buckled knees, the pain was so bad...also had numbness in right side fingers and the outside of my right ankle. And when I sat down, my right foot would go to sleep, when I stood up, it would wake up instantly. I got back in May, had a deployment to OEF scheduled in Sep. Opted for the micro-discetomy in July.

Went into surgery at about 1100, woke up at about 1300, walked out of the hospital at 1700 sore, but basically all symptoms gone.

Six weeks of do nothing, and then headed to OEF and did that rotation and another one before PCS'ing to SOCOM and retiring.

That disc has never bothered me again. Now the degenerative disc disease in L1-2, L2-3 and L4-5 remind me constantly that I shouldnt have chased so many jumps in my youth, but such is life, no regrets....(you know, He who dies with the most jumps wins!)

The procedure didnt require a spinal, and the incision was only about 3/4".

Results vary, but relief was instant and permanent for me.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

[Red Flag 1]

Zeke,

An option to explore with your docs is epidural steroid injections. This may or may not help. Generally with back pain only, there is little value; however, with leg pain , as you have, it can be of great value. Generally takes a series of three injections over a few weeks or so. I've had this done and with good PT have been able to avoid the application of "Tincture of Cold Steel" for over 10 yrs. Epidural steroid injections can be done by anesthesia or more frequently in radiology. This procedure places the steroidal medicine in the area of the injury where it of the most value. This can reduce pain and most surely reduces inflamation and tissue response.

One of the problems with disc injury is loading up the dics spaces by impact, lifting or straining. When the disc spaces get loaded, the center jelly like substance in the disc can get squeezed out the back side of the disc around the nerve roots, and surruonding tissues. This substance is very irritating to the tissues resulting in pain, often with radiation down one or both legs. Epidural steroid injection puts anti-inflamitory medicine ( Steroids ) right where the injury is.

For me personnaly, the epidural steroids bought me pain free time to find ways to off load my disc spaces. PT, physical rehab, and finding other ways of doing things. I still have to think about what I do to not load-up the disc spaces. It is usually some stupid thing that gets me in trouble, twisting and picking up a bottle of aftershave put me down for 3 days!

In general, the longer you can keep your own anatomy intact the better. Discuss this with your docs, they know you better and it is their field. I'm just an old anesthesia guy. Best of luck!

RF 1

[zeke]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think I'll get the surgery in a couple weeks. It seems like the nerve could use some of the disc material removed as this has happened at least twice. I still need to talk to the doc about the steriod injections.