LA_Frankie

You mentioned a few things I thought I would comment on to hopefully set your mind at ease.

I know the absolute frustration of re-herniating. After all, it was the WORST CASE SCENARIO, right? That’s all we talk about the surgery, what is the rate of re-herniation… some say 5%, some say 20%. Well in our case it happened.

I also sought a second and third opinion before committing to revision with my original surgeon. Despite my original surgeon’s reputation, which was very good, I needed to hear at least 3 to 5 other professional opinions. The more I heard the more I was told to give it time.

I was able to walk and function after the re-hern which was MUCH better than prior to surgery when I was bed ridden, in pain 24/ and on pain meds for 12 weeks!

I also suffered severe compression/displacement of the S1. So much so that I experienced neurogenic atrophy in my gluteal and hamstring, some in my calf as well. I am still fighting my way back from that set-back. The muscle may or may not return, time will tell.

And that is the golden rule here: time will tell.

I will tell you what one of my most trusted sports med MDs told me, “If you can function and you are not in tremendous pain, give it at least 6 months before you decide anything.”

I re-herniated 5 months ago. My surgery was 8 months ago. I feel I am 80% back. I did PT a lot, and it was a slow progression. I had some set-backs, but I kept starting back up. I still do my functional strength exercises at home 4-5 times a week. It’s a long haul but it’s better than going under the knife again and increasing your LIFETIME RE-HERNIATION RISK TO 25-30%.

That’s right. Revision surgery will raise your re-herniation risk even higher. That is what made me decide to avoid it at all costs.

I hope you recover fully.

Thank you for your reply.

Is ‘displacement’ as described on the MRI report the same thing as compression?

I definitely had compression the first time around with all the tell-tale signs such as pins and needles, numbness, weakness/pain in calf.

But this time there are no pins and needles or numbness. Calf strength has recovered some in the 3 months following decompression. But seems like it has plateaued.

I’m worried that if I leave the protrusion alone continuing to displace the nerve that damage to the nerve will worsen (as it did earlier this year) or possibly become permanent.

Sincerely,
Frank

Thank you, Dr. C.

Does the ‘technically more demanding’ surgery equate to a more demanding recovery with perhaps higher risk of re-herniation? Or is risk of re-herniation the same as if it were a virgin herniation?

Lastly, does it make any sense at all to get the epidural if I have already decided to get a revision surgery in the near future (this year?) I can live with the pain until surgery.

I basically decided I am not okay ending the year knowing there is a disc herniation of the same size, same level where we just performed the first microdisc. Knowing the chance of it worsening and compressing my S1 again is something I want to avoid at all costs. I was in a wheelchair before the 1st surgery.

Regards,
Frank