In this article, we are going to walk through the potential causes of buttock pain after spinal discectomy surgery. Maintaining spinal mobility is key to the healing process. This article explains some of the potential reasons this may be the case. Sciatica is the type of pain that originates in your lower back and typically radiates down one or both of your legs. If the nerve is still irritated or swollen, there can still be pain present, greater on the side of the prior herniation. Most patients are gradually weaned off opioids over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. At Wake Spine & Pain Specialists our goal is to relieve your pain and improve function to increase your quality of life. I havent sat for longer than half an hour at a stretch after surgery and I wonder whether this pain will aggravate once I go back to work in two weeks, as I have a sitting/office type job. As with any form of surgery, laminectomy carries a risk of some side effects. Contact: Orthopedic and Spine Institute. My back was inflamed afterwards, and I had some hip pain the following day, but I didnt think much of it, because those episodes happened during my previous recovery and would resolve with rest>rest in 2 days max. I am aware it might not be a positive test, but I was just wondering whether it meant anything. As fellowship-trained physicians with over, treating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment, including conservative care, non-operativetreatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. Immediately following the surgery, she developed severe pain in her right foot; 3 months later, she underwent an additional decompressive procedure. We have asolidcommitment to excellence in diagnosing and treating spinal injuries and conditions spanning all age groups. However, two days after the long walk, I developed buttock nerve pain in my right side, the very side that was compromised before surgery. Betteryet, get someone to help you. Thank you for choosing Dr. Corenman as your healthcare provider. Although taking multiple short walks daily is encouraged,walking too muchimmediatelyafteramicrodiscectomyprocedurecan cause a setback to your recovery. Although most patients enjoy noticeable pain relief immediately following the surgery, nerve recovery after a lumbar discectomy is dependent on a variety of factors. I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. One reason your leg may still hurt after microdiscectomy surgery is because of the way compression can affect nerve roots. In some cases, areherniationmightpresent in the form of back pain up to two years after a microdiscectomy. They prevent vertebrae from rubbing together and help maintain spine flexibility. Our physicians serve as innovators in technology, actively participate in national and international research studies, and areatthe forefront of medical knowledge. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your answers. This seroma should resolve in 2-3 months. Was able to walk longer, and had almost no pain, except for the incision site stiffness. Long-Distance Consults & Medical Legal: 888-888-5310, Request a Diagnostic or Surgical Second Opinion, Buttocks pain after L5 / S1 microdiscectomy, leg symptoms after a lumbar microdiscectomy, https://neckandback.com/conditions/peripheral-nerve-anatomy-neck/. Yet another reason why a patient may experience pain in their lumbar region is reherniation after laminectomy. Have very little movement or ability to flex my ankle. Discectomy, or microdiscectomy, is a procedure during which the surgeon removes a small portion of the disc that is compressing the nerve. Finding the actual source of your discomfort following an initial microdiscectomy may involve: It Could Be Due to Scar Tissue or Other Possibilities. This could signal another, more serious issue. Intense pain is common in the days following a laminectomy. Amicrodiscectomyis a procedure used to remove all or part of a herniated disc when damaged discs are causing pain, numbness, and weakness ina patientslegs and back. Incision Drainage Issues. Your Recovery Microdiscectomy is surgery to remove part or all of a bulging or damaged (herniated) disc in the lower spine. The patient reported a new pain experience on the left buttock that started insidiously two weeks after discharge. But what if you start experiencing long-lasting pain that persists for weeks and months after your surgery? Get Veritas Health Newsletters delivered to your inbox. my doctor recommended surgery. Althougha minimally invasive procedureisoften considered the best practice for dealing with damaged spinal tissue, no surgery is completely without risk. However, long-term LBP due to degenerative changes in the disc may occur postoperatively . Stronger painkillers, such as opioids, are typically used in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Obviously, I need to do a fresh MRI with gadolinum to discover whats truly happening. I had l4/l5 discectomy 25 days ago, because I suffered from lower back pain that quickly was replaced by a persistant almost daily sciatica for almost 4 months. ligamentum buckling or hypertrophy in cervical spine. The best wayfor them to diagnose the problem isthrough physical examination findings correlated with imaging studies (MRI, CT scan, X-rays, etc.). Minimize your risk forreherniationby not smoking, watching your weight, and eating a balanced, back-healthy diet. Although most lumbar laminectomy patients with leg pain feel better immediately . Usually, patients are discharged either the same day or the day after their surgery. These differences may be due to compression at another site or a nerve root tethering to epidural fibrosis. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. Intermittent or continuous back painthat occurswith and without movement, Pain with coughing, sneezing,or bearing down, Radiating pain from the back or buttock down into the leg or foot, Numbness and tingling in the leg or foot, accompaniedbyweakness in the legsand, reduced reflexes in the knee or ankle region, Reherniationdoes not occur with total discectomy because the entire disc has already been removed. The nerve root when decompressed, can swell. A lumbar microdiscectomy may become necessary when a herniated lumber disc affects one side of the body. Special caution must be exercised for patients who have decreased skin sensation at the surgical site and/or pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes. Although its important to take it easy and rest, you need to maintain some level of activity at home. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. If your doctor prescribesmedicationfor you to help with pain or inflammation,take it as. Based onfollow-upstudies, recurrent lumbar disc herniation only occurs inroughly 10%ofallmicrodiscectomy patients. If you haven't seen them, here are two videos I made in which I explain how I feel during the first day and third day after surgery: I took muscle relaxants for the first two weeks or so for the initial microdiscectomy recovery period. Any activity (like walking) can stretch the root. Discectomy surgery requires your surgeon to make a small incision and navigate carefully around the muscles and nerves of the spine in order to reach the spinal disc(s) in need of removal. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have an answer to my question from you. . Ususally, movement of the low back reproduces pain in the buttock. His nurse PT followed-up with me after surgery and was the one to release me to come home from hospital. Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. Recognizing any of these conditions requires a repeat MRI with gadolinium. Dr. Bergin has a special interest in medical research and maintains membership in the Scoliosis Research Society. So for example moving my chin to my chest or trying to form a round lower back would immediately provoke this pain on the left side of my buttocks. If youhave diabetes, practice good blood glucose management. i was so confused and lost about which procedure i should treat my back pain with.Dr.Corenman is just so kind to make time from his schedule to help me :')! Laminectomyis surgery that creates space by removing the lamina, the back part of the vertebrae that covers your spinal cord. In fact, in many situations, it's often possible to treat or manage lingering leg pain following a microdiscectomy with nonsurgical techniques. Numbness and tingling in the leg, however, may take up to a year to resolve. Endoscopic microdiscectomy is usually performed in the lumbar (lower) region of the back after the failure of more conservative therapeutic measures, such as light exercise, medications, hot or cold compresses, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, and epidural injections, to relieve the nerve pain of a herniated disc, according to Dr. Liu. How to best prepare for it, if there is a way? Marc J. Levine, MD 1 Hamilton Health Place, Suite 101 Hamilton, NJ 08690 Phone: 609-917-7720 Although symptoms are varied and can become more severe with movement, they typically include: Leg pain and weakness Mild to severe pain in the lower back or buttock area Feelings of numbness or tingling in the leg or foot Prescription non-compliance can cause side effects and other consequences that place your health and wellbeing at risk. It is a matter of time before the swelling recedes and the root feels better. Spinal intervertebral discs are the bodys shock absorbers, allowing the back to be strong, highly flexible, and resilient. Using small surgical tools, your surgeon will create a tiny incision and move aside the muscles and nerve root. I so appreciate your time and info. A. is an outpatientsurgicalprocedureperformed under anesthesia to remove all or part of a herniated disc. Spinal discs are gel-filled capsules located between the spine's bony vertebrae. Adjacent segment syndrome (also known as . 2 days after lumbar decompression surgery I developed sciatica type pain, shooting through buttock and down the thigh, the pain which I never had before the surgery. For example, your surgeon may perform a lumbar microdiscectomy to remove the herniated portionof a lumbar discin your lower back. The Affected Nerve Root May Need Some Time to Heal, The Initial Diagnosis Might Have Been Incorrect. Disc degeneration and herniation are common back problems leading to surgery. Hi, I am new to the forum, I suffered gunshot injury to my left buttocks and I have a footdrop, numbness on the foot and on the parts distal to the nerve Its been 6months of physical therapy. Also, I have little to no feeling in my big toe and a tingling feeling from my knee down through my foot. Tagged:leg symptoms after a lumbar microdiscectomy. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. For editorial comments and questions, you can reach Dr. Bergin via email. Peer-Reviewed. Did I herniated my disc again by starting to walk and even drive too soon after the surgery -- the next day? If youstill have apprehensions, theycansharespecificmicrodiscectomy recovery stories with you. While rare, this can happen within the surgical site where the microdiscectomy was performed. Although most patients enjoy noticeable pain relief immediately following the surgery, nerve recovery after a lumbar discectomy is dependent on a variety of factors. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Although symptoms are varied andcanbecome more severe with movement, they typically include: When you are experiencing any of these warning signs onan ongoingbasis,its best toschedule an evaluationwith afellowship-trainedorthopedic surgeon. Regarding your situation, I think pain is normal after a microdiscectomy. With it being the weekend, I am in limbo!!!! Abstract. Research has established that the SI joint is the source of pain in nearly half of patients who experience new or continued low back pain after fusion surgery. On occasion, after activity, this fluid pocket can expand and cause pressure symptoms. Some days, i have quite persistent soreness in lower back and bum no matter sitting, standing or lying down. The explanation and descriptions are easy to follow and so helpful in understanding the a variety of conditions covered.Thank you Dr Corenmen for providing such a valuable directory of information. After my basketball season. This surgery can help relieve pain from a pinched nerve in the spine or a degenerative disc issue. A new treatment, Barricaid, which is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce reherniations, was specifically designed to close the large hole often left in the spinal disc after microdiscectomy. Pain that develops gradually after back surgery is suggestive of scar tissue impinging or tethering the spinal nerves that innervate the lower back and legs. For patients experiencing nerve pain from a herniated or bulging vertebral disc, significant weakness and numbness can result in the legs and buttock areas that correspond with the pinched nerve. For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions. The good news is that many patients have significant pain relief from a microdiscectomy and can quickly return to their normal lives, generally in 4-6 weeks. Thank you for input on this. Still, Dr. Liu cautions that, during the first couple weeks following surgery, patients should avoid repeatedly bending or twisting, lifting anything heavier than five or six pounds, driving, or performing tasks like lawn mowing, sweeping, shoveling snow or dirt, doing the laundry, running, jogging or other activities that can overly tax back muscles. Surgery went well. As fellowship-trained physicians with over 50 years of experiencetreating spinal conditions, we offer patient recommendations for treatment,including conservative care, non-operative treatment, and sophisticated, customized surgical solutions. Thankfully, only minor complicationsusuallyresult fromalumbarmicrodiscectomy. Extend your walking distance gradually; engage in aerobic exercises like riding a stationary bicycle if you have access to one at home or a local fitness center and can do so without pain.