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What is best to wear for clothing after a laminectomy?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 31 9:02am | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
I was the victim of a car crash 40+ years ago and have avoided back surgery, but the situation has changed. I have developed foot drop and have severe weakness in my right leg. The stenosis is listed as severe and I am scheduled for a lamenectomy L2-S1 in a few weeks.
I have a wife who is disabled and very reliant upon me. I have family that is planning on staying with us for 3 weeks post surgery to help. Do you think that time is adequate for me to be able to walk and perform most daily life activities without the need for help? I am 68 and overall in good shape, but the surgeon said I am risking permanent issues with the foot drop and weakness if I don't have the surgery.
Thanks for any insight you can provide
Replies to "I was the victim of a car crash 40+ years ago and have avoided back surgery,..."
Thanks so much for your feedback. I am hoping for a fast recovery but know from personal experience that surgery outcomes can be very different than what is expected. I am meeting with a house-keeper next week, and am hiring someone to care for snow removal for the entire winter. I will try to err on the overly cautious side as I want this to be a success.
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@mndan
You may need more help doing certain tasks after your surgery and may want to have family help you plan for additional help after 3 weeks depending on how surgery/recovery goes. I had fusion surgery and I was limited significantly in what I could do for months but since you are only getting laminectomy without fusion, you may be able to do a bit more than me. You just need to be careful with heavy lifting/twisting with recovery and take it easy since it is significant surgery.
Maybe hire someone after 3 weeks to help with your wife and things around the house while you continue your recovery. Definitely don’t delay the surgery if you are at risk of permanent nerve injury.