Post op

[Heather-Bee3]

Hi everyone I am 9 days after decompression surgery on my L5 just wanting to hear from anyone out there who has had this done and what too expect I know we're all different but I'd love to hear people's stories new to this site just good to share experiences an pain thankyou x

[RAYJAYC]

Hi

I've had three decompressions/discectomies. All three had different recovery times so it's a bit difficult to answer but a definite piece of advice I can give is keep up gentle stretching & mobilisation! If you let yourself stiffen up too much, it takes a longer amount of time to get back to 'normal' activities!

RJC x

[Heather-Bee3 in reply to RAYJAYC]

Thanks for your advice I have been pottering around staples still in at the moment and so fatigued still but hope I get a bit more energy soon and easier to move an stretch better after staples removed. Although I have been told not to bend twist are lift anything for 4 wks are more. But your advice taking on board thankyou.x

[Jenles]

IHi Heather,

had a double decomposition around 20 years ago, so can't remember exactly how long I took me to recover. I can't recall how long I had the staples in but thought it was not much more than a week. I was seen by a physio afterwards and followed the advice I received regarding exercise and building core strength.

Unfortunately this was not the only problem with my spine and I needed more surgery about 8 years later. However I know of many others with less complex problems who have made a 'permanent ' recovery. I hope that proves to be your experience.

Jen

[Heather-Bee3]

Thankyou unfortunately not the op was more to help my leg my back is rather unrepairabile now alot of hard dry discs an severe arthritis on my spine so just really keeping fingers crossed it has helped more for my mobility with my leg but they told me that may take months to heal and sort itself due to nerve damage.

[Cymraes84]

Hi

I have had two decompression surgeries at L4/5 level - one in the form of a discectomy due to a herniated disc, and the other was a laminectomy for stenosis. Unfortunately I have re-herniated since then and am possibly looking at surgery no. 3, but in the time between the surgeries I did gain significant improvement pain wise.

One problem I had was trying not to overdo things as my recovery progressed - I felt as though I was ok to do certain things such as housework etc, but in reality I wasn't.

I would say pace yourself, get as much walking done as you can (but obviously in moderation, maybe build up from a few gentle 15 minute walks a day) and don't be tempted to do too much too soon. Follow the physio's instructions you were given prior to discharge, and if they have prescribed any stretches and exercises then do try and keep up with them.

I also found that I needed quite a bit of rest to begin with, so allow yourself to have a little lie down every now and then if you feel like it. Also, keeping something of a routine and getting up at a reasonable time each morning helps too, even if you just get washed, dressed and then go and plonk yourself on the sofa! You may have done this already, but placing items such as plates, baking trays, tinned food(s) etc on the kitchen counter helps prevent any unnecessary bending and/or twisting.

Good luck with your recovery

[Heather-Bee3 in reply to Cymraes84]

Hi thankyou for your advice yeah found in feel so tired an fatigued all the time I know early days.like you so tempted to do little house hold jobs but just folding laundry the other day proved to be a bad idea as pain put me to bed. I find I need to take little lay down rests not for sleeping just find position more comfortable. But definitely following hospital advice an advice I get on here too with people like yrself that have been through it. Thanks again greatly appreciated. X

[724864]

This may seem a bit over board, but honestly it can take 12 months for back surgery to heal, so very easy exercises and please take things gently. I have had back problems since 1966 so have a bit of experience and friends on the net have shared many stories. So just a bit of advice.