Emergency Discectomy!!

Z

Zeld4

Senior member
 Oxford
My lovely girlfriend Sam had a discectomy yesterday. She's had back problems over the years and more recently bouts of sciatica that have been very debilitating. Visits to the doctor and a scan revealed herniated disc, so it was ever stronger pain killers when it was bad, and strengthening excercises when it was good.

Last Thursday she began started to feel numb in her legs and groin, and her doctor had always said to watch out for numbness and to get straight to A&E if she felt any in the groin area. We were on our way to work in London at the time, so when we got to Marylebone she ordered a cab to UCHL. I had to go to work as I had a recording session to get to so I had to leave her to go alone :|

After the usual wait at A&E they sent her straight for a MRI scan which was sent to a surgeon at the London Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The surgeon said you better get here quick. I was back with her by this time. A few hours later she was being told her herniated disc was pressing dangerously against her spinal nerve and she would need an operation to remove the disc to avoid any permanent nerve damage! It's moment like this you really think "oh f#€k". You barely have time to think things through, and what would be the best thing to do, you just have to go with it and trust the experts.

So yesterday morning she had the Op. And now with a long recovery and probably 2 months off work due to the demanding nature of her job, it puts things in perspective. Imagine if she had decided not to go to A&E? She could have been looking at having a disability for life.

The op went well and it's early days, so it will be some time before she feels normal and herself again. I hope I can take the pressure off her and make her feel that she has as much time as she needs to get better and stronger.

Thank goodness for the NHS, they came up trumps this time. And fingers crossed for Sam's recovery.

Would be good to hear from any body has had this procedure and can give any advice!

Cheers
 
No experience to offer on this specifically but currently suffering with a very sore back so I am very sympathetic for her past problems and wishing her a speedy recovery from the surgery. It sounds like she's in very good hands both in hospital and when she gets home to you :thumbsup:
 
Crikey such a near miss.. :o Glad she's been dealt with in time, although a frightening experience I'm sure for both of you. Best wishes and health. :thumbsup:
 
I had a back op in 2007 after injuring my back in 1997. I don't know why it took so long but in between I had pain relief injections which helped but only for a while. I remember having one serious bout of pain my wife took me to A&E and I was in so much pain and felt so sick I could hardly stand while the Doctor was asking me questions. I walked out of the hospital and layed down on the cold floor outside the entrance. I didn't care at the time because the pain was so bad. Anyway I was given pain relief tablets and sent home. I also had numbness down my right leg and in my toes which was the least of my problems. Anyhow, finally I had an op after one cancellation on a Monday morning and I came out on the Wednesday. I still have numbness which I was told would never go but I don't have pain. Apart from the odd ache now and again I've been OK for 10 years . I didn't have a disc out but had two discs altered to release a trapped nerve. I hope your partner recovers well as I have. Look after your back guys.
 
Total sympathy for her. My wife stepped off a stool while pruning and crushed a disk. She's light as a feather and fit as a fiddle but it happened. Same sort of op. as she was numb in legs and real pain. Usual MRI scan and into hospital and surgery next day.. bored out, reshaped and fused 2 disks (I'm no medic :))
Good news is recovery is good and it lasted for 10 years before she damaged it again. Ironically walking. 2nd op and all good for last 5 years, but now respects her spine a lot more and again ironically must stop flexing and core strength excercises as they were her cause as genetically she's too flexible, weaker spine and damages her spine flexing.

So full circle, not nice for your wife and am sure she'll recover fully. Time off work doesn't mattter, but health does.
Hope all progresses well
 
Thanks guys, she's doing well and up and walking at the hospital. She's also gutted as this week we are having our Mini Cooper S 5 door delivered and she was so looking forward to driving it out of the dealers brand new. I'm keeping the Z so it's mainly her car. I've got her to go from a 13 year old Hyundai Accent and no particular interest in cars, to a brand new Mini Cooper S in 3 and a half years :D :driving:
In that time she has taught me how to use a hoover and drink less beer. I think that's a fair trade!
 
Yes, all the very best wishes and hoping Sam makes a full recovery. I had a dual discectomy some 25 years ago when I was in my early 20s - I believe the surgeon 'shaved' two discs (L4-L5-S1). I remember being in hospital for around 8 days and then hobbling around for 2 months. We bought a new pocket sprung bed which really helped - I had physiotherapy once a week for the next 12 months and I followed a number of daily exercises. The sciatica went away after the op although the scar tissue area was a little painful for some weeks after. Best of luck to Sam.
 
Glad she's doing well. Back pain is a real pain!

Congratulations on the progress you have made over three and a half years on all counts. But what's a hoover? :lol:
 
RickRob said:
Glad she's doing well. Back pain is a real pain!

Congratulations on the progress you have made over three and a half years on all counts. But what's a hoover? :lol:
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I'm not sure but we we've got a Henry. Sam bought along a Dyson when she moved in. It cost her a fortune at first but after a couple of years it just makes a strange whining sound and doesn't suck any more. I am talking about the Dyson by the way :D
 
Lynchy said:
I had a back op in 2007 after injuring my back in 1997. I don't know why it took so long but in between I had pain relief injections which helped but only for a while. I remember having one serious bout of pain my wife took me to A&E and I was in so much pain and felt so sick I could hardly stand while the Doctor was asking me questions. I walked out of the hospital and layed down on the cold floor outside the entrance. I didn't care at the time because the pain was so bad. Anyway I was given pain relief tablets and sent home. I also had numbness down my right leg and in my toes which was the least of my problems. Anyhow, finally I had an op after one cancellation on a Monday morning and I came out on the Wednesday. I still have numbness which I was told would never go but I don't have pain. Apart from the odd ache now and again I've been OK for 10 years . I didn't have a disc out but had two discs altered to release a trapped nerve. I hope your partner recovers well as I have. Look after your back guys.
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Yours and Sam's symptoms seem very similar, she also has the numbness as you describe. It's good to know even if the numbness is longterm you can be relatively pain free and not be effected by it day to day. Thanks ever so much
 
To be honest with you I only really notice the numbness if I think about it or if I talk about my past back problems like now lol .
 
I have suffered on and off with sciatica most of my life, seen specialists when it was it its worst a few years ago but it wasn't deemed serious enough to need surgery thank goodness. I get a numb sensation in my right leg due to it at times as well as the lower back pain. I've had a few twinges recently but it's settled down again now.

Best wishes to your gf for a speedy recovery.
 
dr_john said:
I have suffered on and off with sciatica most of my life, seen specialists when it was it its worst a few years ago but it wasn't deemed serious enough to need surgery thank goodness. I get a numb sensation in my right leg due to it at times as well as the lower back pain. I've had a few twinges recently but it's settled down again now.

Best wishes to your gf for a speedy recovery.
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Cheers mate, it's 12 days post surgery and she's doing well. She's getting her strength back in her right leg and has been able to push herself up the stairs with it as of yesterday. Also she's getting feeling back in her foot that she hasn't had for months. All the early signs are looking good so fingers crossed.
 
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