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L5 S1 surgery recovery: what to expect re: what I can do for myself?
I asked a question about this, but don't see where I put it. Sorry for the repeat. Mayo suggested a L5S1 with both post and anterior entry. I have osteopenia, not full blown thankfully, Am wondering what to expect in so far as how to do things for yourself and when. Wash hair, go to a salon, sit in a soft chair, take a trip to Disney with grandkids or even overseas? I assume bathroom etc will be a learning curve but am planning to put a bidet on our toilet.
I did ask the Mayo doctor what he would say to his mother or family member and he declined to answer that directly. Simply said he never t ells his patients what to do about surgery. Not sure what that means as to if he really recommends it. It is an option for me since I have tried all the conservative things over the last 6-8 yrs and now the left leg and hip are acting up more often. Slight foot drop and weakness etc. Am waiting to talk to a local surgeon to avoid the flight to Rochester and see what he says about it all. If he agrees that will be good. If he disagrees that will be confusing.
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@southernbelle13
While the log roll is recommended and I use it, it can be a challenge (high bed, shorter stature, etc).
I'd suggest acquiring a low step or bench to help getting onto and off a bed.
While BLT is abhorred for recovery, it is near-impossible to totally avoid bending (toilet, basin, (un)dressing, etc). Just don't over-extend your back when you do. And definitely do not bend and twist simultaneously, so take on all tasks front-on. So, I am not advocating any bending, I am merely stating that I cannot get through a full day without some degree of bending periodically.
I have my first physio session next week, so I'll be able to give more on my own recovery at that time.
@profevl I had the same situation. Twice. The same surgeon did both discectomies. But not Micro. Cut me open. 26 years ago I did not know micro was an option. Or I would have had a different surgeon. 2 open surgeries caused big scar tissue problems. Resulting in permanent nerve damage. I ended up getting a triple fusion which gave me back all my strength in my back. but the pain from the damage continues.
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3 Reactions@joanland
did you decide to have the limited surgery to relieve the nerve at L5S1? did they tell you what they would do as a limited surgery to relieve that issue? I tend to downplay when my leg/hip hurt and have gotten so used to it and feel I can manage it for the most part, that I don't want to over exaggerate the issue and have a surgery that may fail or make me worse...or under exaggerate it and miss out on something that could actually be helpful and remove that discomfort permanently. Or mostly anyway.
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1 ReactionI have had two successful back surgeries performed by neurosurgeon’s. I am 72 years young, an avid skier, mountain biker and sailor. The first in 1992 was a herniated L5S1 disk. The second in 2021 was a L3L4 stenosis procedure. Both were minimally invasive micro-surgical procedures involving nerve passage space creation, with short healing times < 3 weeks. My experience based recommendation is to work with neurosurgical groups and to preserve the natural mobility in
your spine rather than immobilizing it with hardware.
@southernbelle13 In meeting w a local, and exceptionally well regarded brain & spine surgeon, I learned there is not enough bone at the spot where the nerve is compressed, to remove some bone to relieve the compression.
That is not an option. He recommends a fusion of L5-S1, a fusion he recommended against 2 years ago. I asked why it would not lead to a failed fusion, and his reply was that trchniques have changed and he would put in a cage to replace the failing disk which would take the pressure off the nerve.
Although we are in a town of only around 120K people, he is reputed to be the best spine surgeon between Seattle and San Francisco; to get a second opinion would mean considerable travel. The surgery, if done here, would involve a vascular surgeon as well. It takes time to get pre-ops done. I'm moving forward slowly. I can decide this isn't the route for me at any time.
@joanland Thank you for this info. It tells me a bit about why I wasn't offered this a few years ago as well. Like you, I am not rushing into this knowing that recovery won't be fun and I am afraid I will do something to mess it up (like bend or twist accidentally doing normal things)
if it was a quick procedure with fast recovery I probably wouldn't hesitate. Good luck with your decision and if you go through with it, please post again as to how you are doing.
@joanland have you asked how many of these back procedures the surgeon does a year? Also ask what is his success rate as well. If I were you I’d think twice about getting a second opinion especially if you’re concerned. You only have one back to sacrifice!
@joanland
I’m facing a very major spinal reconstruction and would really appreciate hearing from people who have actually been through something similar.
My surgeon is planning to remove my existing hardware and replace it with new instrumentation, potentially using rods extending from my neck all the way to my tailbone. I’m expecting approximately two days of surgery.
My biggest concern isn’t simply the surgery itself—it’s what life is really like afterward.
For those who have had a long fusion or reconstruction extending through most or all of the spine:
* How is your quality of life now?
* What can you still do physically?
* How difficult is walking, sitting, sleeping, and getting around?
* How long did it take before you felt somewhat normal again?
* What do you wish you had known before surgery?
* Knowing what you know now, would you do it again?
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1 ReactionYou have posed very good questioms which I shall pose.
Thanks for your input.
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1 Reaction@sophie00
This is my secon to perform surgery
opion, and I have selected him (Alex Roper)