Microdiscectomy in human

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classybutwild

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I've been suffering back pain for 6 months now sciatica had to but my horses on full loan as not been able to muck out or ride, Had an MRI shows a large 1.2cm bulging disc T5 S1 and i've been told i have to have surgery as its very large and compressing my nerve, has anyone had the op done and returned to riding and if so how long did it take? I'm so worried i may have to give up horses altogether :(
 
Hi
Not had the op, but am a Pilates instructor, work in the physio world and have bulging disc myself so know a bit about it.

With a microdiscectomy, they remove the part that is bulging as opposed to removing the full disc. You won't be fused and should be able to resume normal activity after recovery. It is back surgery however, so will take time, however you should feel relief from the nerve pain immediately.

Do you know why you have prolapsed? It may be posture or repeated movement through that one part of your spine. Find a good physio or rehab Pilates instructor and learn to move better and strengthen your 'core' and back, to avoid this recurring. Think of it as a warning sign.

Good luck. Hopefully you will feel so much better!
 
Echo the Pilates, and I'd suggest a chiropractor as well - my doctor was all set for surgery when he got my MRI results back, but by then I was fixed to the point of undertaking six hour hill walks thanks to my chiropractor :)
 
My Dad (who doesn't ride), had the op in March. He had been going to a Chiropractor for years beforehand. He went to doc when he started loosing the feeling in his legs on and off & not long after he had the MRI etc.he collapsed.

He had multiple problems to sort in the Op (he had issues with arthritis as well as issues with discs)- but he was up and walking the next day- and much straighter than he has done in years. It's really been a great success.


Hope that helps.
 
I had the more serious, disc removal and the spinal fusion. I was back riding within 6 weeks. I was in agony before the operation and my surgeon recommended (that for me) only the fusion would work. I am glad I had the op.

There comes a point, after loads of physio, pilates, core strengthening etc - if your disc is buggered, you just need the op.
 
Yes, I have had this done.

I had a bulging disc that was impacting on my sciatic nerve (between L5 and L6) - I had been having issues with my back following a fall, so it was weak and then I had the flu atChristmas and one time when I sneezed, I felt something "ping" in my back and that was the start of the disc problem!

The consultant recommended surgery as I had had it for about 6 months and was at the stage of not really being able to walk, in constant agony (despite very very strong painkillers) and losing the feeling in my right leg.

I was up and about the next day and made a really good recovery. I had the op end of June and was back on a horse the end of October.

That was 11 years ago, and my back has been fine, although I do get the odd niggle with my back if I do something really stupid.

I would recommend the surgery if you have got to the stage where it is really affecting your life.

Good luck.
 
Had one done and had spinal compression on 2 vertebrate, all sorted and fine. Had a pretty rubbish 10days after the op but have had no problems since. Not having the op was not really an option, tried pilates, osteo etc, couldn't walk or stand for longer than 5 mins as had really bad sciatica, luckily i could sit, lie down and drive ok.
 
I had a Doiscektomy in Aug 02 L5/S1 and was back riding a few months later (backing and bringing on my youngster). Was left with back pain but it got rid of the sciatica. All went well until Dec 06 when I knew a disc had gone again. This time it was L4/5 L5/S1 and Consultant suggested a decompression and implant was fitted. This op was a complete failure and a year later after lots of pain I had the implant taken out, a further decompression, laminectomy (where they cut out the back section of spine) and a fusion. This was carried out by a different Consultant and he was happy for me to get back riding when my body was ready. I gave myself 6 months off and then started my homebred youngster and have been riding since.

I always ride in a body protector now as feel safer and know should I have a fall I'll have that bit more protection. I don't jump any longer (except for the odd log here and there). If anything riding has strengthened my core muscles which support the spine . I have my own place so keep my horses out all winter which really helps to save my back. I only fill the barrow half full when poopicking and don't lift anything too heavy. It's all about being sensible. I want my back to last me as long as possible and know that once you've had back problems you are more prone to future problems.

I'm sure the OP will be fine, just take sensible precautions and build yourself up slowly.
 
Thank you for all your replys I'm so glad I'm not alone in the horsey world to have this type of injury, its so deliberating from going to fit and healthy and enjoying your horses to not being able to do anything, I suppose it the pain that I'm in that I think I wouldn't be able to do it, I not got an appoinment on the 23rd of july to see a neuro surgen, so hopefully I can have the op and get my life back. X
 
My OH had this done a few years ago and he was crippled before the op. He is fine and was out of pain and up and about in 2 days.
Good luck
 
Oh my goodness, what doctors do you guys go to? I suffered a prolapsed disc in march 2011, finally got nhs physio in Jan 2012, they gave up on me after 6 weeks as nothing was helping and told me to go back to nhs in 6 months if still hurting as it can take 18 months for disc injuries to resolve. I am opposite to a previous poster, I can walk, rock climb, ride even poledance but I cannot sit for more than half an hour without wanting to cry.

I never stopped riding though, just for a few days after I did it. (i know most people will think that means my injury wasn't as bad as theirs).
 
I had the operation three years ago. Before it, I couldn't school and could only ride for short times. The operation itself was completely pain-free (whatever you do, don't google the operation, there are people on the internet that make it sound like going to hell and back which is absolute rubbish). I was quite depressed during the first year after the op because I still had pain, though not the pins and needles. The second summer after the op though, my back finally got properly fit again and I can ride as much as I want - in fact now, the more I do, the better it is. I get stiff and sore in the winter when I can't do much exercise but at the moment it feels great. Still searching for the right mattress though!
 
NHS are rubbish been suffering 6 months had physio. for 6 weeks, they wanted me to wait for an mri, but I decided to pay for it myself and good job I did coz I'm scheduled for urgent surgry but private as I would have to be on the weighting list on the nhs for 6 weeks to see a consultant, but got an appointment with a neuro surgen in 10 days with a private hospital then hopefully will have sugrey very soon x
 
I got a private MRI done for 250 and that's quite cheap, this was a private company in london and anyone can go and have one done if the get a referal from either. GP or chiropractor, osteopath if anyone wants to know pm me as can't put the name as it would be advertising once they see the problem the nhs will listen but its just a waiting game for them as ur on a list, but as I have suffered so long and in so much pain I will pay anything to get rid of it, I'm not well off nor do I have money but when It comes to my health and my quality of life you do prioritise more x
 
Doctor wouldn't let me have the disc removal as I was too active - instead I went to a chiro regularly - swapped lessons for chiro's daughter for treatment.

It has now naturally fused itself and is no problem but I've noticed at times that another is beginning to be a tad sensitive. So have my knees and ankles - think it may be something to do with my age now :(

I'd go for the surgery - get injury free and you have a chance to keep the rest of you pain free.
 
I had this done just 12 days ago on nhs after suffering agonising pain and sciatica for years. Chiro, physio, osteo and exercise all it made it worse. I got rid of all my horses as riding was torture and even on huge doses of painkillers I could not live with the pain and numbness in my left foot and calve, hip and lower back anylonger.

I had an MRI arranged by my physio, and recieved a call from the spinal unit to attend the nearest A&E asap the very next day. I was taken for immediate emergency surgery as the prolapse at L5/S1 was the biggest they had ever seen on someone still walking about.

When SHO described the surgery, I was freaked out- I'm only 34yo. But I did watch a youtube video of the op before I had it and it did help settle me as I could visualize more easily what they were going to be doing.

I won't sugar coat it- it was very painful for me post op as morphine was ineffective, but others in the ward were in much less pain and up walking the next day.

I am now walking painfree about 1 mile everyday and don't take any painkillers atall. I was advised that gentle longterm recovery and rehab is the key and surgery is effective about 80% of the time. Expect 6-8 weeks of NO lifting of anything more than 2kg, no driving, no bending over or twisting of any kind. My Mum has had to move in to do washing, cooking, shopping ect.

I was advised to wait at least 3 months before swimming, riding or cycling. I am better than I have been for years and intend to remain being very careful about nursing my back forever.
I hope I will get a horse maybe next year when I know things are OK.
 
My OH had a micro discectomy about eight years ago. It has been a success. He was up and about within a couple of days. He went back to work about two months later. Touch wood he hasn't had much trouble since. He just is sensible and tries not to twist etc.
 
Out of interest girls who had there op on the nhs? as i have a private appointment for monday the 23rd, was admitted to hospital friday eve just gone with leg numbness they discharged me as the only thing they could do was give me pain control, they just phoned me and got me an urgent appointment with a nhs consultant for tomorrow morning at 9, there finally taking me seriously after seeing my mri, i really don't what to do as i not got alot of faith in the nhs as know someone who had the op on the nhs and she has perm numbness a year after surgery still. Im gonna go and see what they say but still go for the private appointment its got to the stage i really need this done now and very soon, so wanted your advice on the nhs ops as if this is gonna be quicker i'll go for that but want private for the better surgeon, what do u all think? sorry if this is a bit short winded but im kinda scared now its getting to crunch time! x
 
I had mine done on NHS at a specialist spinal unit. If I could have gone private I would have been done quicker but the surgeons are often the same ones as NHS. They do private work as extra.

I had no complaints with care recieved, ward cleanliness and followup. I'm based in Scotland.
You may have a choice of where to have op so definately choose a specialist place rather than the closest.
Everyone is different and their outcomes will differ depending on how long they've suffered, other problems, healing times ect.
 
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