Fail Microdiscectomy l4,l5: Has any else had a... - Pain Concern

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Fail Microdiscectomy l4,l5

Kiereo profile image
16 Replies

Has any else had a failed Microdiscectomy? I had L5 & L4 shaved down in May 2019 and since then the pain has gradually gotten worse. The pain never left completely but did get much better. My recent MRI is showing compression on the nerve again from both discs, my specialist is now sending me to another hospital as they don't have the facilities to do anything. He said it's now scar tissue that is bulging and putting pressure on the nerves. I've been getting much more tingling and loss of feeling in my right leg/foot. Has anyone experienced this after a Microdiscectomy and if so what did they do next for you? Did they go back in and shave the scar tissue off? Did it come back again? Thanks for any help. I've attached a photo of my current mri from a couple of weeks ago.

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Kiereo profile image
Kiereo
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16 Replies
Emma2017 profile image
Emma2017

Hi there, difficult for us to comment on the MRI. I had a huge bulge a level down resulting in CE. Had a microdiscectomy, it went again, same op, went again, same op again. However it went again and ended up with a fusion. I cannot comment on whether or not your disc has gone again or if it is scar tissue. It looks like a small bulge. You could ask for a second opinion and take it from there. It’s probably what I would do. If it is just scar tissue then cutting that away apparently has not overly good results as it can just grow back. Good luck.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo in reply to Emma2017

Thanks for your reply, sorry you've had such difficulties also. They offered me the spinal fusion years ago, before the Microdiscectomy, however I had a small baby less then a year old and didn't have a lot of help, there would of been no way I would of coped with recovery. Have you been okay since having the fusion? I'm hoping that they might offer me it again, as my father in-law had it done, he had problems for years with his back and has been absolutely fine and pain free since surgery. I'm just sick of consistently living life in pain and to function as a normal human being I have to live on strong painkillers, which will not be doing the rest of my body any good.

Emma2017 profile image
Emma2017 in reply to Kiereo

Like I said they only offered it the fourth time round as a fusion is so much more invasive and harder to recover from. It’s been about a year now and I am glad I had it done but it has not solved al, leg issues. Still am having pain but it does improve slowly. I had little choice but ifI had have would be doing the same. It’s a long uphill struggle but worth it. I am now actually more struggling with an higher up disc which was done at the same time (laminectomy) and is causing me front leg pain etc but I don’t want any more ops if I can help it so try walking 🚶‍♀️ lots, small distances and increasing.

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

Wow nothing good comes from messing with the back…. I hope you can get a solution to your issues fast.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo in reply to Batty1

Thank you.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo

I forgot to mention why he'd sending me back ti the specialist, I ended up going in retention and wasn't able to pass any urine. I had to have a catheter in for around 6 weeks (with failed trials without, every couple of weeks) they cleared me of having any kidney issues, so beleive that the current pressure on the nerves blocked the receptor to my bladder. I still had feeling of fullness but just wasn't able the void anything. Did you ever have anything along those lines?

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo

This was my MRI before the surgery

MRI before the Microdiscectomy
Sunlover56 profile image
Sunlover56

Hi, I experienced exactly the same as you, including urinary retention . Ask to be referred onto a Pain Management consultant with a view to a Spinal Cord Stimulater. I had one for 7 years and it gave me a near normal life for those years. I saw Dr Al-Kaisy at St Thomas’ Hospital. Sadly my Stimulator failed but I know many who have had longer relief.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo in reply to Sunlover56

Hey there, sorry for delayed response, thanks gor your message, I've never heard of a spinal cord stimulator before, I'll have to mention it and see if they think it would benefit me. Even if I got seven years of a kinda normal life that sounds good to me right now. Thank you :)

I'm sorry you've got your problems back, hopefully they'll get something sorted for you soon.

waylay profile image
waylay

I had a failed L5/S1 microdiscectomy in 2008. Felt much better for a few weeks, then new pain and other symptoms started at 6 weeks. Massive scar tissue overgrowth. They said that going back in to remove scar tissue was dangerous, and I'd probably just grow more. :/

Emma2017 profile image
Emma2017 in reply to waylay

They won’t go in for just scar tissue. As you say it has a tendency to grow back. I had some myofascial massage and therapy as recommended by my surgeon which did help somewhat with the issue of that aspect. Issue there is to find a good one as it is only now gaining some recognition.

waylay profile image
waylay in reply to Emma2017

Hi there, I had myofascial massage (private) for several months, which definitely helped me to move better. Unfortunately it can't reach the deep scar tissue, so it remains.

Emma2017 profile image
Emma2017 in reply to waylay

It’s helped me somewhat as it did you. The things is I don’t believe there is any one thing that is the magic cure so to speak. It’s a myriad of things and finding the one or two that works best for you is the key. I am now walking slightly further all the time and find that that is starting to pay off. It was very hard but through determination I managed to get where I am now. Obviously everyone is different and I appreciate that this might not work for all of us. I was just sick to death of the crutch and one day decided to ditch it. Been a long way up but now feel I am getting somewhere. Scar tissue might always be there but I will just live with it.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo

Thanks for your comments, I'm hoping they will go back in as it's affecting my bladder function. The scar tissue had put so much pressure on the nerve my bladder wouldn't empty. I'm only 32 and shouldn't have to have a catheter at my age for something that could potentially be avoided. So fingers crossed 🤞 they will act on it as I can't be dealing with that, it effects my job and my personal life.

Emma2017 profile image
Emma2017 in reply to Kiereo

If it affects you to such an extend they might try though as it is special circumstances and you are so young.

Kiereo profile image
Kiereo in reply to Emma2017

I'm hoping they will, after my consultation I'll update it on here.

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