Back to riding after a microdiscectomy (slipped disc op)

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l tomson

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Just wondering if anyone on here had one of these ops and what was their recovery like?
I am very worried that it will go wrong and I'll never ride again.

:(
 
I've just got the appointment for my pre-op assessment so will be watching this thread with interest! I'm sure you (we!) will be fine :)
 
I had this operation three years ago. Three of us had it on the same day, we all had two paracetamol when we woke up from anaesthetic, and then we were all up and walking that evening and home the following day. There was no pain except muscle stiffness.
As I got more active after the op, the pain returned, and I got quite depressed because I thought that it hadn't been successful - I'd me people who had no issues at all after the op. I had quite a lot of physio and over the three years my back has gradually got stronger and stronger, and I very rarely get nerve pain now, just stiffness. This is the worst time of year - my back is great in the summer when I can do loads of riding but at the moment it is stiff because the weather is bad and I haven't been on a horse for weeks. Walking is good for it but riding is much better. I'm very careful about lifting things now and have an automatic 'tense abs' reaction before picking anything up!
 
I had a microdiscectomy (L4/L5) in April of 2010 & started back riding in August of the same year, although I could have ridden in July according to neurologist but I decided to wait an extra few weeks.
Hunted the full season on 2010/2011 and have been riding, including hunting, ever since.
Best of luck & if you've any more questions, just shout :)
 
I had it a couple of years ago. Came out of op in afternoon & went home next day but had to travel flat in ambulance. Stayed on back for just over 2 weeks. Only allowed to get up to use bathroom. Was meant to do nothing for 6 weeks but I was back mucking out. Week 3. (Big mistake) plus it was lambing time. Think this is why it took nearly a year & half for 80% recovery. Back riding after 3 months. Found walking on horse great as it seemed to help. I need a very strong back support now when doing heavy work & I always wear it riding.
It won't be 100% ever but it's liveable. Every one told me not to do too much in first 3 months. I wish I'd listened now.
 
Thanks guys for the positive imput. All there i s on Google if how awful things went.
I have my op on the 7th March. Neurosurgeon has said I am a great candidate for it to work really well.
What / how bad were your symptons before hte op and how long did you have to wait from it 1st happening?
I am 37
 
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I' m 36 and had L5 op in june last year. Before op pain was a 9/10 all the time. Lived on cocodamol 30/500, diclofenac and lyrica at maximum doses. All the skin of my left leg was numb including my toes, but inside the leg it felt like a constant cramp in the calf and buttock. Unable to sit or stand for more than a few minutes, driving very hard with the clutch, walked with a limp and had the sensation of a vice around the left ankle most of the time. I was cycling, having physio, swimming and riding in complete agony for months.
Finally persuaded physio to send me for MRI, and I was promptly rushed in for emergency microdiscectomy, as spinal cord was being compressed completely by the contents of the ruptured disc. Consultant said I was lucky to not end up incontinent or worse!
Pain on the day and following day was intense- morphine needed regularly, but the pain was from the incision, not radiating down the leg as previous. Wound was tiny- just 6 staples and an inch long. But its a deep incision (mine was 10cm deep cos I'm fat) and they do drill the vertebrae, so you must allow it to heal for several weeks.

I was discharged 2 days post op, once I could do the stairs and was off all meds within 10 days post op. Felt great and ready to do anything, but the 3 months recovery period is crucial to the healing and final outcome. My consultant said the 90% full recovery rate was really dependant on the post op care and the person, and full recovery can take up to 2 years in some cases, although most folk are back at work within 8-12 weeks depending on their job. If you have the choice get it done at a specialist spinal unit, they have the best outcomes.

I basically lay and sat about the house for 3 full months and only raised my hand to my mouth to eat and drink. I never bent over atall and used a helping hand to lift stuff off the floor. I had the sensation my back would burst open if I bent over too soon, never did though!
You must not lift anything over 2kg for the 3 months and never lift heavy things for the rest of your life. Hoovering and driving is out of the question, even though you will feel perfectly able to you must abstain for at least 6-8 weeks post op.
People will say they were riding again 3 weeks post op and mucking out etc, but these folk will usually be needing the op repeated in a few years or worse!!
I was back at work 14 weeks post op and now 7 months on my back feels strong again and I feel able to get on a horse . I'm booked for my first hack at the weekend.

I watched the op on youtube just before mine and it really helped me understand what they were doing and why. It calmed me down as I was panicking. My colleagues sister had the op 15 years ago and was left like a baby, had to learn to walk and use her arms again. so that got me in a right state!!

I went cycling yesterday and felt great, no pain during or after. I've got my life back and its wonderful. Please don't be put off by the rubbish spouted on the internet, it is a tried and tested treatment with good outcomes if you follow the advice given.
 
l tomson said:
All there i s on Google if how awful things went.
Click to expand...

DON'T look on there! Loads of people talking about the agony of it! Rubbish!
I was 36 when I had the op. I had great service from the NHS - six months from initial physio consultation to the operation. I used to get pins and needles down my sciatic nerve if I stood up for more than about 10 mins, and it was sore if I rode for more than about three hours over the course of a week. At its worst, I could only walk for about 5mins and then had to sit down. I was on paracetamol and ibuprofen constantly and intermittently tramadol and valium.
I was back to work 10 days after the operation - I think having an automatic car really helped, I don't think I would have been able to drive with a clutch. I rode after about 3 months, and some of that was down to bad weather.
I didn't realise at the time how much my body was compensating for the damage - it was ages before I realised that the muscles down my left hand side were in spasm. Once I started to be able to release that, things got a lot better. I was bad about doing the initial physio exercises because they seemed too simple, but I should have had more faith in them - physio was really important to me getting better.
 
35yrs old. I was in only what I can describe as constant horrific pain pre op. radiating diwn to ankle. 7 months before they operated. Living on ibuprofen, diclofenic, amiltriptyline, paracetamol, co codomol, Approx 30 tabs per day which just took the edge off. Couldn't stand for more than a few mins. Had to travel to all my hosp appts lying as flat as possible in car and it was a journey of hour & half.
I felt like chopping my leg off, & more and more thoughts of ending my life as the pain took over everything.
When I woke from op, immense relief. All leg pain gone. Numbness in ankle & half my foot (which never went) and minor op site pain. Stiffness etc.
Angel7 gives great advice, don't try & do anything too soon. I wish I'd listened.
 
I had mine done 2012 feb 27th. I was in pain all way down my leg to my toes and numb all down out side of my leg. I walked with limp and now and then it would all give way. Cramp all way down my leg was a pain as well as the rest. I do have alot of pics of my back all the way along. My scare did not heal right as from day one i knew it was infected. I was having to be packed for 3 and half weeks. Can put pic up if you like just say if you want to see. I did nothing for 6 weeks ended up doing nothing for 3 months as did not wanna over do it. Pain was gone when i come round from op, but the Sciatic nerve was very inflamed from the bone sitting on it for a year before i had the op. It has took over a year to heal and sort its self out. I was back riding after i was 100% healed and it was a case of doing it slow. Yes i do get stiff in this cold weather and also when its that time of month it gets me. Also i had other half take staples out 4am sunday as they where driven me up wall with the itching and burning feeling i was getting. I could not wait till the morning to go docs as had no sleep because of it. Had to google how to take them out mind...lol
 
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I had this at L4/L5 & L5/S1. I was home after a few days with little sciatica but my lower back itself was quite sore (understandably). It took a few months before I was properly back on my feet and riding. Since then I had a really bad fall about6 months later, no prob's with back but messed my ankles up badly. It's now about 5 years since my surgery and in the wInter when doing lots of yard work I get a bit of sciatica but very little compared pre surgery. I do still get stiff and sore in my lower back but riding actually helps this. Part of my prob's come from my walking is abnormal cause of my ankles so I have to use my back more for things like lifting cause I can't bend from the knees as I have no flexIbility in my ankles so have to use my back but in would say go for it as it made such a difference to me. It will take up to 6 months to fully recover and you've got to do your physio but it's worth it
 
This is all so encouraging guys. Finally found a forum with good advice and positive out comes. This is really helpful and is going a long way to making me feel calmer about the operation.
It sounds as if surgery is the way forward for me. I have had this for 6 months. When it 1st happened I rested but found that I got stiffer and more uncomfortable resting so started back riding and moving about again although not going mad. Went to see an osteopath a chiropractor, a Mctimoney Chiropractor and 2 physios and although they helped I have reached a level of discomfort that just won't go. I have pain in my hip, back of thigh on a daily basis and at the end of a day I will have pain in my ankle and foot. Doesn't sound as bad as some of you on here. I am on Gabapentin (nerve blocker) Naproxen (anti inflmatory) co codamol and valium. I only take the co codamols and valium if I need them.
I can't thank you guys enough for the replys. It really makes a difference hearing good results and not the horror stories.

I WILL BE BACK RIDING MY PONY.:)
 
I had L4\L5 done in 2002 and was back to riding my homebred youngster a few months later. Still had lower back pain but sciatica was cured .......... UNTIL back went again Dec 2006. This time L4 - S1 had gone. I struggled on until May 2007 when I had discektomy and an implant put in to hold everything together. Op failed and implant was removed July 2008. Had both discs sorted, had a laminectomy where they cut away the back section of your vertebra out and had a fusion. Thankfully after 6 months my consultant was happy for me to ride again and I've been doing so since. I always wear a body protector these days, have easy to mount, forward going sensible horses and don't jump (except for when I see a log and temptation gets the better of me!). My horses live out all year so no mucking out. If I poo pick the field I only fill my barrow half full and don't do too much. My consultant told me I'd 10 - 15yrs left in my spine and I'm trying to save my back as much as poss but still enjoying my horses. I'm in constant low level pain and if I do too much sciatica kicks in. 8 x paracetomol every day plus codeine when needed. I have quinnine sulphate at night as I get cramps in my left leg. My trusty hot water bottle is usually on my back when I'm sitting down to relieve the pain.
Yesd I do have to be careful and as my Consultant has said to me " live to your limits" and I certainly do that. OP listen to your consultant and your body, don't overdo it but get your horsey fix, it's the best medicine of all.
 
Hi guys
1 week after op and I'm doing ok. As I was fit and active before the op I was on my feet quickly and the docs sent me home after 3 days and not 5. At 1st all good no pain in leg just a bit of numbness that has got better. I have followed the physio religiously and started gentle short walks. I am fine walking no short strides etc. However I have felt a little pain/sensation in my leg? Did any of you have this after? Or were you completely pain / sensation free after the op? The nurses said there could be a bit feeling and that is normal but I have got my self in a bit of a mess about it.
 
I would say normal as for me I did get some residual achy type sciatica down the backs of my legs following my surgery which gradually settled. I still have big numb patches down the back of my thighs tho years later so suppose that won't come back but doesn't cause problems
 
Thanks for quick reply. I had got thinking I may have re herniated it. Will carry on with the physio and walking. They don't really equip you with the what ifs when you leave hospital
 
OP don't worry you'll be fine. After my first op micrdiscektomy my sciatica went but I was left with back pain. Have partial (dead) foot and numbness to left hand side of left leg and foot. I have no reflexes in that ankle or knee. I struggled a bit with the physio exercises after the op and found the ones which put strain on my sciatic nerve made things worse so I stopped doing those and carried on with the other exercises. You body needs time to heal sounds like you are doing well so far. Remember don't rush back to lifting sacks of feed and mucking out, listen to your body.
 
Thanks. I have found gentle walking really helpful. I actually think that the lying around makes the sensation worse. I've been really careful about sitting for no longer than the 20 mins the hospital physio said I could and on a special cushion. My boyfriend is going to drive me just to see the horses next weekend. This is going to help with the cabin fever that is setting in. Ha ha
 
l tomson said:
Hi guys
1 week after op and I'm doing ok. As I was fit and active before the op I was on my feet quickly and the docs sent me home after 3 days and not 5. At 1st all good no pain in leg just a bit of numbness that has got better. I have followed the physio religiously and started gentle short walks. I am fine walking no short strides etc. However I have felt a little pain/sensation in my leg? Did any of you have this after? Or were you completely pain / sensation free after the op? The nurses said there could be a bit feeling and that is normal but I have got my self in a bit of a mess about it.
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Sounds exactly like me, I had mine done in August last year and suddenly realised the other day that nearly all the feeling has come back! I stressed a bit in the months after when i got pain/more numbness but it has all gone now near as damn it :) I was riding 3 months post op, I would say recently I have stopped worrying at all about lifting etc (obviously still do try and lift carefully) and the surgeon and physio signed me off earlier than they expected saying to aim to return to complete normality by last month. I have got used to not hoovering though so my flat is a bit of a tip :p I was driving at 3 weeks, riding at 12 weeks (ish ;) ), working at 14 weeks (could have been earlier but I got a pseudamonas infection in the wound and as I work in the food industry I wasn't allowed back).
 
Wow another positive response. I will sleep better now. when I was searching before the op all there was is doom and gloom and here I have found light at the end if the tunnel. I am off for my 1st physio after leaving the hospital in a week and I can't wait.
 
I feel really lucky, I herniated a disc L4/L5, excruiciating pain that ran the entire length of my left leg, right into my toes. I was never referred to a specialist, they just told me to wait and wait and if it wasn't better after 2 years to consider surgery. I was really surprised and angry that they didn't take it more seriously (perhaps I should have cried at them instead of trying to be stoical) Well it's been two years now and finally I am 90% pain free. In the last 3 months I have made great improvements. I never really gave up anything, I kept doing my horse, but in massive amounts of pain. This week I have just started to train for a triathalon, ran 8 miles having barely been able to walk a year ago.

So for anyone reading this who is in a similar position to me, don't give up, they can get better without intervention (not saying all injuries) but you do have to be patient. I found rock climbing, pole fitness and horse riding all made it feel better, anything sitting or standing still made it much much worse.
 
I had mine done 12 years ago. I actually felt the disc go, although i didn't know what it was at the time, just thought it was a twinge - funny what sneezing can do!

I then had 6 months of severe sciatica - lost the feeling in my toes and couldn't walk more than 10 paces without collapsing in pain, and that was on co-codamol and diclofenac. Once I convinced the doctor that I was in agony - I actually siezed up with the pain while trying to get off the examination table and was stuck there for 30 minutes until they found some morphine!

Within a week of being referred, seeing the consultant and having my MRI, I was in hospital having surgery and that was the end of June 2011. Best thing ever. Was up the next day, and stayed in hopsital for 5 days, once I could walk to the end of the corridor and do the stairs I was allowed home. I was slightly disappointed at the scar - I was expecting something HUGE, but was only about 4 inches long and very neat.

I had a set back two weeks post-op when the sciatic nerve went into shock - that left me bedridden for two weeks on tramadol (best hallucinations ever!) and diazepan. Once that calmed down, then recovery was fairly quick.

The consultant knew I rode and was expecting the question "when can I ride?" when I went for my six-week checkup. I was allowed back on my horse at the beginning of October. I started off slowly, but was soon back to normal - but no jumping, but I don't like jumping anyway, so wasn't an issue.

11 years later, I sometimes get a little twinge in my back if I have overdone it, but otherwise it's been absolutely fine. I also have little feeling in the middle toe of my right foot - I don't think I will ever get that back though, its a small price to pay.

Good luck to you - I hope you have a good outcome.
 
I did mine falling off during a crosscountry and landing on my bum 7 years ago, took me two weeks to go to the doctors, and by that time I couldnt feel my foot, and I could only sit down on the left bum cheek with my feet on a box :D. Had the operation at the beginning of December, it was a cancellation, so it wasnt until I was getting my pre meds I knew what they were doing! I was out of bed the next morning and home in the afternoon, started riding again in the February. I still get an aching back if I over do it, but a lot of that is the scar tissue build up caused by multiple bum landings, as I had a youngster at the time. They did accidentally leave a lump of blue cotton in the wound, but I had many a happy hour getting that out! Good luck with the op!

Edited to say, I cant lie flat on my back as it's uncomfortable, but we got one of those memory foam matresses and It's brilliant. The surgeon did look at me as if I was a mental case when I asked how long it would be before I rode again, but the Doctor thinks it's been great rehab!
 
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