Despite careful diagnosis and a successful operation, some patients may still experience pain after their back surgery. This persistent pain or continuation of symptoms is known as failed back syndrome (sometimes called failed back surgery syndrome), and it can affect your ability to complete daily tasks.
Why is back surgery so painful? The formation of scar tissue near the nerve root (also called epidural fibrosis) is a common occurrence after back surgery—so common, in fact, it is so common that it often occurs for patients with successful surgical outcomes as well as for patients with continued or recurrent leg pain and back pain.
Consequently, How much pain is normal after discectomy? You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. This should improve in the weeks after surgery. You may have relief from your symptoms right away, or you may get better over days or weeks. In the weeks after your surgery, it may be hard to sit or stand in one position for very long.
What does it feel like when nerves are healing after surgery?
As your nerve recovers, the area the nerve supplies may feel quite unpleasant and tingly. This may be accompanied by an electric shock sensation at the level of the growing nerve fibres; the location of this sensation should move as the nerve heals and grows.
How do I know if my Microdiscectomy failed?
In addition to chronic back pain, other symptoms of failed back surgery include neurological symptoms (eg, numbness, weakness, tingling sensations), leg pain, and radicular pain (pain that spreads from one area of the body to another, such as from your neck down to your arm).
Likewise, Can you overdo it after back surgery? Don’t Overdo It
Along with being patient, you should be careful to not overdo it. While it may seem easy to climb stairs a few days after surgery, this motion can put undue stress on your spine and slow down your recovery.
Why can’t I take ibuprofen after back surgery?
Do not take any non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ie, NSAIDS, advil, celebrex, ibuprofen, motrin, naprosyn, etc) or aspirin products for 6 weeks after surgery. These medicines can cause bleeding inside the wound.
Can you have a Microdiscectomy twice? Recurrence of a Disc Herniation
If the disc does herniate again, a revision microdiscectomy will generally be just as successful as the first operation. However, after a recurrence, the patient is at a higher risk of further recurrences.
Is it normal to still have nerve pain after a discectomy?
For discectomy surgery, the nerves may need to be moved away from the site of disc herniation. This can stretch the nerves and, for a small percentage of patients, this stretched nerve can cause numbness, pain, or even weakness of the muscles associated with that nerve. For the vast majority, this resolves over time.
Is it normal to still have nerve pain after a Microdiscectomy? Most patients notice that it is much improved but there is still some aching in the leg because the nerve has a “memory” for the pain and remains slightly irritable. This usually resolves within a matter of weeks. The numbness usually resolves over weeks or months as the nerve recovers.
What helps nerve pain after surgery? These include:
- Pain Relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol can relieve mild symptoms.
- Pain Killers. Opioid drugs like tramadol or oxycodone can relieve moderate to severe pain. …
- Anti-Seizure Medications. …
- Topical Medications. …
- Nerve Blocks.
Does burning pain mean nerves are healing?
Is Nerve Pain Ever a Good Thing? In some cases, paresthesia is a sign of healing. Patients with nerve damage resulting from illness or injury can experience intense symptoms as the nerves regenerate. Although the pain may be severe at times, it’s a temporary condition that indicates the body is on the mend.
What are the stages of nerve healing?
To achieve full recovery, the nerve must undergo three main processes: Wallerian degeneration (the clearing process of the distal stump), axonal regeneration, and end-organ reinnervation.
Why do I still have pain after Microdiscectomy? Secondary disc herniation
After a microdiscectomy for a disc herniation, another disc may rupture and impinge again on the nerve root. This can happen anywhere from days to years after the surgery. The hallmark of this is pain that is gone initially after surgery, but then spontaneously returns.
Can you walk too much after discectomy?
Although taking multiple short walks daily is encouraged, walking too much immediately after a microdiscectomy procedure can cause a setback to your recovery. If you find yourself not needing to take pain medication, you should be able to operate a motor vehicle within a week of surgery.
How should I sleep after lower back surgery? It is generally OK after back surgery to sleep in whatever position is most comfortable. Some prefer to sleep on one side or the other with a pillow between their knees and/or behind them to support the back.
What is the fastest way to recover from back surgery?
You might need to see a physical therapist for a few weeks to help you recover from surgery. They can show you some exercises that speed your healing and help prevent injuries. Walking is good, but go slow at first. Gradually pick up the pace and go a longer distance each time out.
How much should I walk after back surgery? Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day. Do not be surprised if you require frequent naps during the day.
Is heat good after back surgery?
Early on, the application of heat to the surgical area can increase blood flow to the tissues and may cause slight increase in swelling and pain so should instead be considered at a later point. Heat can be helpful early on to relieve tension or muscle pain in other regions of the body and might be worth trying.
How long does it take to recover from l4 l5 back surgery? It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation). When you wake up after lumbar decompression surgery, your back may feel sore and you’ll probably be attached to 1 or more tubes.
Is Microdiscectomy major surgery?
Even though microdiscectomy recovery times are generally much faster than more invasive spinal surgeries, they’re still major procedures that involve general anesthetic.
What happens if a Microdiscectomy doesn’t work? Treatment For Failed Microdiscectomy
These may include physical therapy, medications, and other pain management tactics. Even if these conservative treatments did not work in the past, they may be more effective with the current pain. If the issue is structural in nature, a revision surgery may be necessary.
How long does it take to fully recover from a Microdiscectomy?
Recovery starts with you
To get moving as quickly as possible, start with self-care. Focus on rest, medication, and sleep. From there, exercise and physical therapy can improve recovery. The timeframe for a full recovery from microdiscectomy is about 12 weeks.
