Yes, a swollen nerve can mimic the same, but less severe pain from the herniated disc. Stopping halfway because you are feeling better, or quitting early on for other reasons, could result in a relapse of pain that causes you to need additional medical treatment. My health is my most important concern, will just have to see how things go. I think swimming is just fine. Typically, there will be an activity or motion that causes an immediate pain that does not improve with time. So, says Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, medical director of the Atlantic Spine Center and a world-renowned endoscopic spine surgeon, who performs a minimally invasive procedure called an endoscopic microdiscectomy and advises his patients to stay mobile, get out and walk, to expedite microdiscectomy recovery and minimize the formation of scar tissue. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care and service to our patients. Sometimes, the pain localises solely to one or both buttocks. Also, other tests, such as the slump test and straight leg raise, are positive for pain in the buttock. Areherniationafter microdiscectomymay occur in the immediate postoperative period, a few weeks to few months after the surgery, orwithinyears following the surgery. Additional potential reasons for postoperative leg pain following a microdiscectomy include: Herniation of another disc that wasn't herniated prior to surgery Nerve damage that occurred during the surgery A failure to remove enough disc material during the microdiscectomyThere Are Various Treatment OptionsA second surgery may be discussed, but it's not always necessary or appropriate, especially if there's a secondary pain source involving soft tissues. AtTheSpine Center, were dedicated to providing you with high quality, personalized back and neck care. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic. Called my surgeons office, spoke with nurse, seemed to care less-pain getting worse-follow-up appointment not until four more days!!! The first 3 weeks were rough in terms of inability to walk longer than 20 minutes without tiring, night hip pain and constant incision stiffness. The good news is that many patients have significant pain relief from a microdiscectomy and can quickly return to their normal lives, generally in 4-6 weeks. Pain that develops gradually after back surgery is suggestive of scar tissue impinging or tethering the spinal nerves that innervate the lower back and legs. Close to the 5 weeks mark, I went out for a long walk, close to 3 miles, at a pace that was brisker than before. You should report any numbness to your surgeon immediately after surgery. As fellowship-trained physicians with over 50 years of experiencetreating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment,including conservative care, non-operative treatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. If you need spine surgery, consider an Inspired Spine procedure. Some days, i have quite persistent soreness in lower back and bum no matter sitting, standing or lying down. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. The doctor willthenonlyremovethe damaged portion of the disc. Now considered the gold standard treatment forremovingherniated lumbar disc tissue, a microdiscectomy procedure is an ultra-precise method that requires only atinyincisioncausing minimal disruption to surrounding healthy tissue. trained physicians with over 50 years of experience, treating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment,including conservative care, non-operative treatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. A mild amount of drainage from the incision is normal. Thus, we know there is a 3-6% risk of a recurrent disc problem happening after lumbar discectomy surgeries. Microdiscectomy is usually very effective at treating leg pain, with about a 90% success rate in relieving pain in the leg and/or buttocks. Betteryet, get someone to help you. My, Nerve injury from a GSW (gunshot wound) is highly unpredictable for recovery. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. procedure may eventually be discussed and recommended. For example, in addition to the herniated disc that was treated with a microdiscectomy, you might also have nerve irritation related to inflammation near the sciatic nerve. Could it be that the nerve is just waking up and healing? It is a matter of time before the swelling recedes and the root feels better. A burning sensation after spine surgery can be the direct result of these muscles and ligaments repairing themselves during the healing process. However, if leg pain continues after 2 or 3 months, talk to your doctor or surgeon.The Initial Diagnosis Might Have Been IncorrectAccording to Spine Health, the top reason for leg pain after a microdiscectomy or similar decompression procedure is an incorrect initial diagnosis. 2 days after my surgery my pain came back full throttle and worse than before. my doctor recommended surgery. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. Intermittent or continuous back painthat occurswith and without movement, Pain with coughing, sneezing,or bearing down, Radiating pain from the back or buttock down into the leg or foot, Numbness and tingling in the leg or foot, accompaniedbyweakness in the legsand, reduced reflexes in the knee or ankle region, Reherniationdoes not occur with total discectomy because the entire disc has already been removed. Pain from a spinal stenosis may be resolved with decompression surgery. Finding the actual source of your discomfort following an initial microdiscectomy may involve: Specialized nerve tests Diagnostic injections to see if numbing other nerves in the same area relieves your leg pain Discussing your symptoms in greater detail Image diagnostics or procedures such as using a special dye to track nerve pathwaysThere May Be a Secondary Pain SourceLeg pain stemming from a spine-adjacent nerve may still continue after surgery if a secondary source is causing discomfort. The type of surgical technique used during microdiscectomy,and the type of herniation,may increase ones riskforreherniationafterwards. What causes reherniation after microdiscectomy surgery? Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. It depends upon the caliber, velocity, distance from the muzzle and the path of the bullet. The medical term for sciatica is lumbar radiculopathy: pinching of a nerve as it exits the spine. We have asolidcommitment to excellence in diagnosing and treating spinal injuries and conditions spanning all age groups. But you can also learn some hygiene tips like avoiding using electronic devices with blue light before sleep, drinking caffeinated drinks after noon, etc. After physical therapy and other conservative measures failed, a woman experiencing pain and weakness in her legs and lower back underwent lumbar decompression surgery. Went ahead with microdiscectomy and surgery was successful. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. By 6 weeks post-surgery, most patients discontinue pain medication, however, it is still possible to have painful flare-ups or stiffness that requires medication. Though I had no pain in this right buttock area post surgery, I did have numbness and tingling. In the weeks following your procedure, contact your surgeon right away if your numbness or pain increases significantly. Return nerve pain after a microdiscectomy can originate from three issues; nerve inflammation, re-herniation or seroma formation. This is quite normal and should not be cause for alarm. Similarly, a thinned-out and stretched- out annulus place the patient at higher risk for reherniation, along with a wide incision of the annulus during surgery. Obtain Long Term Pain Relief. This is called recurrent disk herniation. A lumbar laminectomy is surgery to ease pressure on the spinal cord and nerves of the lower spine. Long-Distance Consults & Medical Legal: 888-888-5310, Request a Diagnostic or Surgical Second Opinion. The diagnostic process including imaging, nerve conduction studies, musculoskeletal examination coupled with provocation maneuvers, palpation, and the musculoskeletal differential diagnosis of buttock pain is illustrated . Learn How Bone Growth Therapy Can Help You, Get a Comprehensive Evaluation from Mayo Clinic's Spine Care Experts, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Still, Dr. Liu cautions that, during the first couple weeks following surgery, patients should avoid repeatedly bending or twisting, lifting anything heavier than five or six pounds, driving, or performing tasks like lawn mowing, sweeping, shoveling snow or dirt, doing the laundry, running, jogging or other activities that can overly tax back muscles. Your browser is out of date. If the pain is still there after 3 months, it is unlikely to improve on its own. Its been 4 months post surgery, but my pain status varies and fluctuates day to day. The disc may press on the spinal nerves and cause pain and numbness in the buttock and leg. Note:Reherniationdoes not occur with total discectomy because the entire disc has already been removed. "Do what's comfortable. Even though the nerve is injured at the spine, it feels like the pain is coming from the . They can perform the surgery in a couple of ways: An open diskectomy is done with a cut in your back . After my basketball season. Buttock pain after a minimally invasive keyhole discectomy procedure is most often nerve-related. Immediately following the surgery, she developed severe pain in her right foot; 3 months later, she underwent an additional decompressive procedure. I have also started swimming two days ago. Sciatica is a pain condition caused by compression of the spinal nerve. Now considered the gold standard treatment forremovingherniated lumbar disc tissue, a microdiscectomy procedure is an ultra-precise method that requires only atinyincisioncausing minimal disruption to surrounding healthy tissue. Thank you for input on this. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. Light physical activity is important for tissue healing and regaining . A gradual return to more low impact activities is encouraged. We strive toofferefficient and professional. The movements you notice that increase symptoms all stretch the nerve root so this would be expected for 4-12 weeks. If you have trouble falling asleep, your doctor can prescribe sleep-improving medications. Regarding your situation, I think pain is normal after a microdiscectomy. A microdiscectomy is a fairly common type of spine surgery, and its one that often produces beneficial results, including a noticeable decrease in discomfort. Peer-Reviewed. All rights reserved. Symptoms are generally more severe than inflammation above but dont necessarily have to be. If that treatment is not effective, depending upon symptom severity, I will order an MRI. Copyright 2020 Intrinsic Therapeutics. Microdiscectomy, also called microdecompression, is a minimally invasive spinal surgery where your surgeon removes a part of the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. Fit and muscular. You can clean the incisionsitewith a towel, but care must be taken to prevent the surgical tape from coming off. Did I herniated my disc again by starting to walk and even drive too soon after the surgery -- the next day? , the top reason for leg pain after a microdiscectomy or similar decompression procedure is an incorrect initial diagnosis. "Endoscopic microdiscectomy is the modern approach to repair herniated discs," Dr. Liu states. These conditions will typically not resolve on their own, and will require additional treatment potentially an additional surgical procedure. In some instances, it may become necessary to pursue surgical management in the form of repeat microdiscectomy. This pain is really a "pain in the butt." I had been on physical therapy>physical therapy from day 10 and in weeks 4 and 5 I started feeling more like myself. Spinal discs are gel-filled capsules located between the spine's bony vertebrae. Buttock pain after a minimally invasive keyhole discectomy procedure is most often nerve-related. When the root swells, some return of symptoms can be expected. Also known as spinal decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and is typically performed on patients with severe symptoms or those with symptoms that are worsening dramatically. i was so confused and lost about which procedure i should treat my back pain with.Dr.Corenman is just so kind to make time from his schedule to help me :')! The most common reason to have a microdiscectomy is to alleviate nerve pain that has not resolved within a reas. For example, acetaminophen is in many common drugs, including cold medicines, which could lead to an overdose if labels are not read. Living with a pinched nerve causing both leg and buttock pain can be agonizing. Even though most lumbar microdiscectomies are done on an outpatient basis, complications could dictate that you remain in the hospital for up to 72 hours. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. These differences may be due to compression at another site or a nerve root tethering to epidural fibrosis. please update to most recent version. Understanding why this might be normal would be really helpful to keep going without loosing hope. For full benefit/risk information, please visit. Unfortunately, even with a well-done surgery, the patient may develop similar symptoms due to inherent problems with his or her spine. Risks and side effects. This problem is often resolved with physical therapy, although minor surgery may be needed in some situations. Ideally, after an L4-L5 matrix microdiscectomy, you should get pain relief. However, long-term LBP due to degenerative changes in the disc may occur postoperatively . PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. Amicrodiscectomyis a procedure used to remove all or part of a herniated disc when damaged discs are causing pain, numbness, and weakness ina patientslegs and back. Here are somereherniation-prevention tips for microdiscectomy patients: At The Spine Center, were dedicated to providing you with high-quality, personalized back and neck care. And although recovery from lumbar microdiscectomy is quicker and less painful than more invasive types of back surgery, youwillstill need to take some precautions. Prescription non-compliance can cause side effects and other consequences that place your health and wellbeing at risk. In the meantime, I hope you dont mind me asking another question. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. In the worst cases, they may also have to go in there and reconstruct discs that have been degenerating, or they may be helping your back to straighten out a little better than it would have otherwise. Could this new pain be a sign of a still existing compression, or is the nerve just saying hello, I am alive? Once this happens, you might have some discomfort affecting at least one leg because of post-surgery tissue inflammation. Good night. After surgery, your surgeon may recommend visiting a physical therapist toimprove your recovery quality. Its not extreme. Any activity (like walking) can stretch the root. Dr. Bergin has a special interest in medical research and maintains membership in the Scoliosis Research Society. Sit with your back straight, not slouched or bent over. More than one nerve of mine is "pissed off"HA!!!! If this service is not available, try to do activities at home that mimic your daily work schedule to develop muscular conditioning and a reserve for the initial days at work. You may not have a high pain tolerance but you do have a high pain medication relief level. This surgery can help relieve pain from a pinched nerve in the spine or a degenerative disc issue. For example after: Lumbar discectomy - The disc is not as strong after back surgery and it is possible for new piece of disc to break off, herniate and pinch the sciatic nerve. I so appreciate your time and info. Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery Video. In this article, we are going to walk through the potential causes of buttock pain after spinal discectomy surgery. At The Spine Center, were dedicated to providing you with high-quality, personalized back and neck care. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. my L5 / S1 disc herniation mainly lead to severe left-side buttocks pain when stretching the nerve. A thin towel or t-shirt may be used as a barrier between the heat/ice source and the skin to avoid direct skin injury. Below are a few reason why leg pain may . Veritas Health, LLC, 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Deerfield, IL, 60015, Pain Management After Microdiscectomy Surgery, Microdiscectomy Spine Surgery: Risks, Complications, and Success Rates, Microdiscectomy Surgery Video: A Spine Surgeon Explains the Procedure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Postoperative Care for Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery, Lumbar Microdiscectomy Recovery: Discharge to 14 Days, Lumbar Microdiscectomy Recovery: Weeks 2 to 6, Lumbar Microdiscectomy Recovery: Weeks 6 to 12, What Causes Buttock Muscle Pain and How to Relieve it, Piriformis Syndrome: When the Symptoms Indicate a Medical Emergency, Massage to Reduce Buttock Muscle Pain from Piriformis Syndrome, Suffering from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? If you or a loved one suffer from backor neckpain, call The Spine Center today at, once per month - call 847-628-8147 to confirm, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), Total Disc Arthroplasty & Total Disc Replacement, Non-operative Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis, Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. But what if you start experiencing long-lasting pain that persists for weeks and months after your surgery? I have a sitting job, 3 hours total commuting per day. Started neurontin this week. Barricaid is FDA-approved for sale in the U.S. Barricaid is not available in Europe.For complete risk-benefit information:barricaid.com/instructions-for-use, Potential Reasons for Lingering Leg Pain Following a Microdiscectomy, A microdiscectomy is a fairly common type of spine surgery, and its one that often produces beneficial results, including a noticeable decrease in discomfort. During a microdiscectomy procedure, the surgeonuses a microscope and laser toremovepart of the nucleus pulposus through a small incision (less than 2 inches). To alleviate any concerns you might have, your surgeonwillcover any potential complicationsbeforethe procedure. In severe cases, patients may also have less control of bladder or bowel function control. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books. One possible source of this type of secondary nerve irritation is piriformis syndrome, which refers to issues with a muscle deep within the buttocks called the piriformis muscle. For example, your surgeon may perform a lumbar microdiscectomy to remove the herniated portionof a lumbar discin your lower back. Thats going to be almost 12 hours on my feet a day. You don't want a FUSION!! For now I am taking pain mediciation to cope with the pain. Nerve tingling or paresthesias are common post nerve decompression. We have asolidcommitment to excellence in diagnosing and treating spinal injuries and conditions spanning all age groups. Over 200,000 lumbar discectomies are performed in the United States each year, most of which are microdiscectomies. is a procedure used to remove all or part of a herniated disc when damaged discs are causing pain, numbness, and weakness ina patientslegs and back. Weeks 4 and 5 I started noticing improvement. All I feel is the tightness in my hamstrings, no stabbing pain like before. In the case of recurrent back pain accompanied by. It's not always easy to precisely diagnose the symptoms related to nerve irritation around the spine. by your doctor. Or is it normal after this kind of surgery and will resolve on its own? I am still doing my exercises daily, plus swimming every other day and overall I am feeling pretty good. https://neckandback.com/conditions/peripheral-nerve-anatomy-neck/. This could signal another, more serious issue. As fellowship-trained physicians with over, treating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment, including conservative care, non-operativetreatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. Dr. Liu offers the following lumbar discectomy recovery tips: There are not many permanent restrictions after a microdiscectomy. Christopher J. Bergin, M.D. Just to mention, even before surgery, I never had much leg pain. This website is the stand out source for me. Also known as spinal decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and is typically performed on patients with severe symptoms or those with symptoms that are worsening dramatically. During this time, the incision will likely become inflamed and there may be some drainage. He refers to a study, published July 2017 in the journal, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, which indicated that patients who did not limit their activities during the healing process actually returned to work sooner than those who adhered to specific restrictions. Most disc herniation occurs in the lumbar spine, causing debilitating pain in your buttocks, thigh, and calf areas and is referred to as sciatica. Avoid lifting heavy objects until you are fully recovered and given the O.K. Some pain in the back or buttock region post-op is completely normal. The doctor willthenonlyremovethe damaged portion of the disc. Before surgery, I couldnt do this without there being a sharp, stabbing pain in my back, when lifting either leg, especially on the right side. Our physicians serve as innovators in technology,actively participate in national and international research studies,and are on the forefront of medical knowledge. It takes time for this swelling to reduce as noted before. Be sure to check in with your healthcare provider before starting this exercise to ensure it is safe for you to do after your lumbar laminectomy and discectomy surgery. At some point, your doctor may suggest surgery as one of the alternatives. The two year anniversary of my microdiscectomy recently passed and I thought I should write an update on the long term effects of a microdiscectomy! Recognizing any of these conditions requires a repeat MRI with gadolinium. Herniation can occur due to back injuries, undue spinal stress from heavy lifting or participation in sports, and even the normal aging process as the spinal discs dry out and become more brittle, forcing a disc's outer membrane to crack and its inner core material to ooze out. You can develop a seroma (a collection of fluid post-operatively) that temporarily will partially compress the nerve after surgery. (pain radiating down the back of the leg) after total discectomy, another discmay have become herniated. When returning home from lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, patients are usually prescribed medication to help manage the pain. If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment or how to get access to Barricaid, ask your doctor or contact us at. The butt pain is as bad, if not worse than, the original pain I was having in my lower back. At Wake Spine & Pain Specialists our goal is to relieve your pain and improve function to increase your quality of life. Now I can do it pain-free. This article explains some of the potential reasons this may be the case. Before using any new medications or going back to old medications, it is important to check with the doctor or pharmacist to reduce the risk of adverse drug interactions or serious side effects. Microdiscectomy is aminimally invasiveoutpatient procedure thats performed underanesthesia. an infection in . Here are some of the mistakes that you will want to avoid whileconvalescing after amicrodiscectomyprocedure: Youre going to be a little sore while initially recovering from surgery, and that is perfectly normal. This condition is regarded as a major healthcare problem that should be considered a public health crisis according to researchers. Thanks for the response. Summary of background data: Lumbar radiculopathy is characterized by different sensory symptoms like pain, numbness, and paresthesia, which may resolve at different rates after surgical decompression. Is there a way to increase my physical fitness before work, so that the chance of having pain during the workday stays minimal? Could it be that I havent walked enough? According to a study in the Journal of Neurosurgery, outpatient microdiscectomy is 75 to 80 percent effective at eliminating sciatica pain caused by disc herniation. Incision Drainage Issues. During a microdiscectomy procedure, the surgeonuses a microscope and laser toremovepart of the nucleus pulposus through a small incision (less than 2 inches). Although most lumbar laminectomy patients with leg pain feel better immediately . I am going back to work in roughly 10 days. version of the surgerythatcan be performed on various parts of the spine.