Who has had herniated disc surgery?

[Kallison]

My SIL is having this done, just wondering what her recovery will be like.

 

[LJC1861]

A lot of it depends on where the herniated disc is located. I had a bad disc at the C6-7 level in my neck. It was so bad I had no feeling in my left arm and was basically in constant spasm and addicted to vicodin. I tried chiropractic and physical therapy but nothing helped.

I had the surgery back in 1996 and the relief was instantaneous. As soon as I woke up I could feel my hand and had my grip back. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I actually had more pain from the spot on my hip where they took the bone graft then I did in my neck where they did the surgery. The surgeon made the incision on the front of my neck to avoid as much trauma to the spinal cord as possible.

I did have to wear a scary looking neck brace for 4 months and it took about a year before I had my full range of motion back. A lot of it was my own fear--like not trusting that it wouldn't hurt when I had to tilt my head back when getting it washed before getting my hair cut. Now I am fine and doing everything I could do before.

I am sure she will be fine, but remember a lot of it is the mindset she approaches it with. I KNEW it was going to be successful and decided that it would all be fine once it was over. She has to take an active part in gaining back all the motion she had before. It can be done.

I injured myself ice skating. I fell while attempting a jump. I knew I was fully recovered when I landed that same jump almost one year to the day after my surgery.

Best of luck to you SIL. Keep us posted.

Linda

 

[Dee & Greg]

First was more than 10 years ago.. .also his neck (couldn't tell you which vertebrae). He also had numbness in his hand and arm. Recovery was easy. He woke up from the surgery with all his feeling back, and was released the next day! He felt great! All those years of pain gone in one day.

His second surgery was 2 years ago... lower back. He was released the same day and felt terrific.

Highly recommend the surgery!

 

[Deb in IA]

Me, me.

I had a huge herniation at L5-S1. I went from being up and walking to bedridden in about 30 minutes when it finally completely extruded one night. I was in the next morning getting an MRI, and was scheduled for surgery the next week.

My orthopedic surgeon is a wonderful man, who took out about 1/3 of the volume of the nucleus pulposus that had herniated and was causing significant nerve compression (the source of the excruciating pain).

I was home for 4 weeks. I wore a corset when I was sitting up, and had a 10 lb weight lifting restriction.

After I went in for my post-op check at one month, the corset was discontinued, and my weight lifting restriction was d/c'ed at two months.

I have been gloriously pain-free for 4 years now, and I LOVE IT!! It was the BEST surgery I have ever had!!!!