Post hemi-laminectomy nerve pain has increased.

Never expect the pain to be gone completely. Think first of that your spine will not degenerate with the fusion. Now after the surgery, your pain got better- good, so maybe just moving around more could even put more strain on different muscles you were using in the same way and the nerves are getting signals there that were there before. Is the pain, even though there, is the same kind of pain? I do not know about others but while I am in some kind of pain almost 24/7 [while awake 🙂 ] pain to me is pain that I can, remember, ignore, not ignore or if I can sometimes a very large heating pad. Yes, my doctors since they do not give meds any longer think PT is good - I have come back from PT in more pain and the time and effort you put in is a lot too but they have what is called Tens therapy and that can be very helpful. It may be helpful to even go for just the evaluation and talk with them as to what they will do and for the first time if you do not want to participate in active therapy have them show you what you would be doing and then go home and make your decision. You are the one in control of your health and they know it; they are just very knowledgeable and want to give you what they think is best. But no one ever knows you except you, so always start there. Hope that helps, I hope your Easter was great! Take care

Did they do spinal fusion as well?

And are you any better now?

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who has commented.

They did not do a fusion, as the disc at that level was not herniated, but it was bulging.

Almost all symptoms were gone for 4-5 days post surgery, but now they are all back, along with some new ones.

I just had my 2 week follow up and reported most of this, but all they did was give me a prescription strength anti-inflammatory and refill my pain meds. Obviously I don’t want to take pain meds, but at this point I don’t think I have a choice. Plus, they don’t really help that much.

The surgeon is still going with the post surgery inflammation theory. Which I guess could be true, but it sure seems like something else is going on.

For those of you that have had similar surgery, was the post surgery inflammation a problem. I know I am early in the recovery process, but it is crazy to me that I was better for a few days and then everything came back.

Also, from the time I started having issues until surgery, was over 4 months.

I can’t help but wonder if this is now permanent nerve damage due to the elapsed time.

I appreciate any feedback from anyone with experience!

In reply to @joelhoward1092 ….. I had decompression/fusion surgery of the L4-5 May, 2023. At this point, I do not have any residual pain from before my surgery but it was a long recovery process. Everyone faces medical situations differently. I did not anticipate improvement and had pain at the 2 week post surgery time. I took pain meds for about 4 weeks and then it seemed as there was no longer any need. I didn’t start any physical therapy until about 2 months out from surgery other than the isometric exercises given to me to do at home from the surgeon. There were many restrictions, but I was free to walk as much as possible (which I did). I am hoping that my 1 year check will be uneventful and everything is looking good! I hope this may serve as encouragement but one never knows. Back surgery is challenging. I’ve had a few other surgeries and this one took the most work toward recovery. I wish you the very best!

@joelhoward1092 - Healing from almost every type back surgery has two frustrating aspects - in my experience.

#1 - Progress as you return to normal can be very slow. Pain levels may fluctuate up and down for quite some time and I was told to expect slow improvement for 9-12 months. So far - that time estimate has been spot-on.

#2 - Sometimes you unexpectedly take a step backward on the road to recovery. That can be very frustrating! Just when you think, "I'm so glad that is behind me..." - that pain or that symptom reappears for a while.

Have you tried some minor PT with a well-trained person just to see how that affects you?

Thank you for the feedback! It is very helpful to hear from people who have been through this and come out ok.

I really like & trust my surgeon, but he acted like I would be all better in no time, Which, I was briefly after surgery.

I am getting a “caudal injection”next week in hopes of calming the inflammation and irritation down around my tailbone and sacrum. At the moment that is the worst part.

My intention is to start PT the following week. I spoke to the physical therapist and she agreed that I should wait until after the injection.

So what type of surgery did you have? How are you now ?

Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.

How long had you been having pain/issues before you had surgery?

@joelhoward1092 - Glad to help!

In Feb 2023 I have a C4-7 ACDF. (new decompression and new disks) then in May 2023 I had Lumbar decompression and disks L2-5.

It was a lot and I was out of action for quite some time. Just now becoming more physically active and I've even played nine holes a few times.

For me, the decision to have the surgery was based on a personal risk management perspective. There are risks in deferring surgery (additional injury, permanent nerve damage, etc) and there are risks of surgery (bad outcome possible, long recovery possible, etc). At present I'm much happier I had surgery than if I had continued to defer. But there are still some days...

The idea that some post-surgery swelling is putting pressure on your nerves - and that this inflammation should subside in time - makes sense. Hopefully, the injection does the trick.

Let us know how things go.

Thanks again for your feedback. I am glad you are doing well now.

I too have had cervical surgery at C5-C6 and C6-C7. Those were a breeze compared to this.

I also had a fusion at L5-S1 several years ago. I remember it being rough, but I don’t recall having so many symptoms return post surgery.

I guess I just need to be more patient.

I had the same procedure and things got much better right away. 2 weeks later heavy leg and foot pain started coming back quickly . Dr. said it was inflammation or residual pain that would go away. At 6wk pain was still getting worse so I insisted on a new MRI. It showed a "senovial cyst" and a pars defect fracture in L5 vertebra, both caused by the surgery. Doc said the cyst happens once in about 200-300 such surgeries. I ended up getting a 2 level fusion and L4 to S1. At 2 weeks I would say it could still be inflammation from the surgery but if it is like that in a few more weeks,especially if you are experiencing any weakness or drop foot I would insist on an MRI. The 4 month delay between surgeries left me with significant drop foot. Exaggerate your pain if you have to get a new scan. Most surgeons don't like to admit making a mistake and insurance may be reluctant to approve it, but they aren't the one's hurting or at risk of being disabled. In the meantime, there's no reason not to take at least the anti-inflammatory medicine. I've been prescribed Medrol dose packs after other spine surgeries that were very effective. I pray you get some pain relief and complete healing.