Video of L5-S1 Surgery Lumbar Microdiscectomy | Low Back Pain Surgery |Colorado Spine Surgeon

[Mutleytech]

I had a laminotomy in March 2010 on L-4. The surgeon thought he should have done the L-5 too. I still have so much pain and a huge numb spot on my outer left thigh that feels like burning. Seeing a pain clinic ever since. Just had another MRI w/ dye. Don't know the results yet. After my first surgery an MRI was done about 6 months after and there were signs of another herniation and bone spurs. Had injections too but they wear off within a few months time. Wish me luck.

[metachozoite]

feww thngs make me squem...but dammmmmmmmmmn.

[6asilva]

I just had this surgery 2 weeks ago...second one in 7 months! I had Cuada Equina Syndrome both times. Surgery was very effective. I have no pain and was up walking just hours after the surgery. Both times it was L5/S1. I'm 23 and was told I'm at high risk now for a fusion. Fingers crossed I don't need one within the next 10 years!

[stough77]

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc between L5/S1 over 6 months ago. Healed naturally (at the advice of my Dr.), but after a snowboarding trip 2 days ago disc slippage is back and the pain and immobility way worse than the original onset. After 2 days of severe pain and no sleep, a trip to urgent care, useless pain pills - I am choping at the bit to get the surgery done. Thank you for posting this video so that those in this situation can have a scientific explanation of what the srgry entails

[rush45100]

@goldie...all the best. :-)

[goldie0407]

Im gonna have my surgery tomorrow morning, after suffering in pain for 9 months. Wish me luck guys.

[AlexzandrSpringvale]

@goldie0407 How was the surgery and how do you feel now?

[beken31]

I had the L5-S1 fusion surgery in 2006. I had tried everything, and had awaken one morning, could not walk. Great success, pain and mobility. Started having extreme pain right side and abdomen, long story short, had fusion of L4-L3. Stenosis. This was done Oct 28, 2011. I am still hoping and praying for a pain free day. The only way I can be pain free is with pills. I have pain right side groin, hip, some leg, not good. Doc thought maybe hip, Radiol said degenerative symphysis pubis, do not know

[neckandback]

@beken31 This surgery is unrelated to a fusion where the two vertebra are joined into one. It is unclear why you have a fusion and then another one at a skipped level. Please see my website at the forum to discuss your results.

[TaimurRiazAwan]

@beken31 : Doctor has recommended me surgery as well...I Have a herniated disk which is causing problems for me. I have the same L5-S1 disk herniation problem and pain in right leg. I am afraid of surgery as it involves back bone...Please share your experience after surgery..

[Vikirei]

@beken31 Thank you for posting. I've been diagnosed with retrolisthesis (I hope I spelled that right) and I have severe neuroforaminal narrowing on the left side or what they called stenosis. . Anyhow, I'm researching all the things I was told at my appointment and reading what you said helps alot because you've actually had the procedures in question done that I'll be having.I really do hope your pain will be relieved. I'm on pills for my pain now and frankly, they don't work.

[ghpresman]

i have been in pain for almost 4 years, my feet are numb and my calf are so tight, been waiting for the right doctor, found him . L-4-L5 is touching meaning pinched by S1 . Thats my understanding and m scheduled for surgery Jan 6, scared of the general anesthesia but i have a doctor that is fantastic here in La. Wish me luck all and i will let u know how it goes, I just want my calfs from being so tight. Happy New Year



[AngeloR674]

Just curious dr. How many millimeters is that piece of disk that u took out.. I have a similar problem and mine measures 7 mm .. Surgery is coming soon after numerous epidurol shots

[neckandback]

@AngeloR674 Dr. Corenman personally answers questions posted in his forum AskSpinedoc (dot) com. Please move your question there for quickest response. 

[SSthemagicviolin]

So freaking glad I got this surgery even though everyone said I shouldn't. After a year of misery I finally freed myself. Just because I was 15 they wanted me to suffer through it. That is just plain pathetic! I'm fixed now!! =)))))

[baojsk8s]

@SSthemagicviolin NO more pain at all? How long before you could walk or do activities again?

[Looloo2310]

As I have had this operation back in October 2011 and had 6 weeks off work it is nice to see the video of the procedure. I have returned to work but light duties the scar has held well but now I can see why the overall recovery period is 18 - 24 months

[ummmerrrrummm]

Just to say, I feel for anyone with sciatica who is reading this page. I've had it for 3 years now and it really is horrible, so sympathy to anyone who's living with it. I wish anyone who has it the best of luck if they are looking into this surgery.

[watchinu66]

I have recently had MRI which shows a disc between L5/s1 completely bulged out & have been told surgery is the only option. I am in agony 24hrs a day with lower back/sciatic pain through buttock on LH side right down to my ankle. The pain is diabolical, indescribeable. But... I am petrified about the prospect of surgery as I have been told it might not work or indeed make things worse!! No idea what to do....

[onatoppppp]

@watchinu66 Hi I had the op on 3rd of November, I had the pain what you described for 6 years peaking to unbelievable heights in new year 2006 I was suicidal and never had pain like that. So I plucked the courage and went for it. I had numbness in my right foot and was explained it may stay. I am now free of back pain but I have two numb feet as a result of the op. The numbness is ok, I can walk perfect its just little irritating. I go back to work after new year. Good luck!

[neckandback]

A microdiscectomy has about a 90-95% success rate. In good hands, the risks of surgery are very small. Find a well skilled and experienced surgeon and you should be satisfied with the results.

Dr. Corenman

[jiimmBR]

i am getting this done on the 12th december. aftr watching this video am totaly dredding it

[RandyGla]

I had this surgery twice! The first time in '96 at the ripe old age of 29 and then again in '99. Tough recovery on the second surgery due to swelling. Was fine for many years after but now am dealing with the onset of osteo-arthritis from the formation of scar tissue. I have had numerous epideral injections with some success but will probably have to have the discs fused in the near future. The video makes it look really major! Can't believe I did it twice!

[ummmerrrrummm]

@RandyGla I've had it done once. How did it work out for you the first time? Obviously you had to have it done again, but did you get your freedom back after the first op for a while or at all? ... or after the second?

I'm considering having it done again, or something similar...

[TheGreec1]

Had this 4 weeks ago at S1L5. At day 8-9 I was getting better up and about then my back spasm'd and I am now bed ridden. Shoots of sciatic pain when I get up and stretch but not like before. My main trouble is that I'm so stiff I can't roll over in bed, bend down or even walk 2 mins without feeling like someone has taken a sledgehammer to my lower back. Anyone had anything similar?

[neckandback]

@TheGreec1 Dr. Corenman answers all questions posted in his forum personally. Please move your question to AskSpineDoc (dot) com for quickest response. Thanks!

[onatoppppp]

@TheGreec1 I also had this on 3rd of November. All went well except little numbness on both of my feet. Iam now free of pain and with the numbness I can live with. I am going back to work after new year and hopefully I can start living again without painkillers.

[ricky041878]

OMG that looks painful :/ im afraid i might need it :(

[MultiNelson69]

What is the success rate of this surgery? What % of patients have no leg pain after the surgery and for how long are the patients pain free? I have sciatica and am afraid I will have to have this surgery. I have heard many say they still had leg pain after surgery. I am in excruciating pain. :( It makes me nervous watching you touch the nerve with your instruments.

[neckandback]

@MultiNelson69 Dr. Corenman answers all questions posted in his forum personally. Please move your question there for quickest response. AskSpineDoc (dot) com Thanks!

[kevmo24]

Hello Dr.Corenman I am a 21 year old male. In march I was diagnosed wth a herniated disc on the L5-S1. I think on the MRI it showed the herniation size to be 11 cm. Well I have sciatica pain on my right leg down to my ankle and extreme buttock pain. I had physical therapy for 3 months and was in disability from work. During the therapy I did 30 treatments of spinal decompression that really helped ease my pain. But it didn't fully get rid of the pain. Should I get the surgery?

[neckandback]

@kevmo24 Dr. Corenman personally answers questions in his forum. Please move this there for quickest reply. You can find it at AskSpineDoc (dot) com. Thanks!

[nolanbrewski]

what happens if you accidentally cut that nerve ?

[neckandback]

The nerve under the microscope looks like a massive cable. I suppose the nerve could be cut under some bizarre extenuating circumstances but I have never seen that happen before. Spine surgeons are generally anal retentive and incredibly meticulous when it comes to surgery.

[nolanbrewski]

@neckandback Thanks for the reply ! what i meant was, if it were to be cut (on accident), would the person lose feeling in one of their legs or lose mobility or be in constant pain for the rest of their life etc. Thanks again !

[neckandback]

Cutting of the nerve would result in lack of sensation and "numbness" of the area served by the nerve. The muscles that are supplied by the nerve would stop functioning producing a limp depending upon the nerve injured. Pain may or may not be associated with the leg depending if a neuroma formed at the site of the cut nerve.

[len4marina]

Dear Dr Coleman,

In 2005 I had a Discectomy at L4-5 and a while ago I had another bad herniation at L5-S1 which has resulted in my outer left leg from knee down and left foot being numb and weak..My condition has not improved in a considerable time but the Doctors I have spoken to are very reluctant to do another surgery..and just keep telling me over time the herniation will reduce..but no change in almost two years...In your opinion is there any hope for me ?

[neckandback]

@len4marina Dr. Corenman answers questions in his forum. Please post this in askspinedoc (dot) com

[deadat45]

I have had this procedure about a year ago & it really did'nt help my S1-L5 as my problem is Disc Degeneration. Discectomey was for a herniation @ that position. But everyone is different, and other ppl I have met, have had good outcomes. I was hoping for an implant @ the S1-L5 & L5-L4 positions, as those are the most affected by my accelerated degeneration. Causing extreme chronic pain. However thnx 2 tutorials @ College in an addictions class, I don't take any perscriptions for my pain.

[hozentroger1]

two of his months they operated with a lumbar fusion in Budapest. I'm okay, I do not feel a pain. I do gymnastics a lot. I am a fireman. January I go by 1 to work. Do not be afraid.

[toneysmith48]

@neckandback Thanks Dr for assuring me about the risk of this operation will my back pain disapear after this surgery as well? My lower back pain is much more severe than my left leg pain!

[neckandback]

The microdiscectomy surgery is designed to relieve leg pain. It can relieve back pain but the chance of lower back pain relief is less than leg pain relief.

Dr. Corenman

[toneysmith48]

I am also having this L5 S1 Lumbar Operation soon but I am too scared as the Dr always keep telling me that after this operation 5% chance for 1 in 100 people paralized bellow the belly. After hearing that from the Dr I get so nervous because it is hard decision to make either to get well or accept being paralized after the surgery!

[cearle28]

I'm having this done in a few weeks...and I AM SCARED!!!

[003dejan]

@cearle28 good luck ,and good bless you

will be good

[sickestjedi]

I had this done..pain is relieved but i can't stretch I was very active running,Jiu Jitsu now I wonder is my back ever going to heal 100 percent

[toneysmith48]

@sickestjedi Best advise after this operation the patient need to play soccer once a week or keep walking or then you can easily stretch. My brother had done the same L5 S1 Lubar operation now he is back to play Soccer.

[neckandback]

This surgery is designed to help mainly with leg pain and about 50% of the time will help somewhat with back pain but this is not a back pain operation. Please see NeckandBack for further information.

Dr. Corenman

[divisionsmelbourne]

i am about to have this surgery and am wondering if this operation will help with the pain in my back or make it easier to heal my back through physiotherapy?

[s33dless1134]

had bad is the pain after this? im gettin this done on the 17th of aug

[neckandback]

@s33dless1134

This surgery is designed to relieve leg pain which is typically much worse than the temporary back discomfort that results from surgery. The back pain from surgery normally is mild.

Dr Corenman

[mikesbeekeeping1]

I had a L5/S1 discectomy last year, unfortunately the disc continued to degrade, so this year I had an instrumental spinal fusion. During the op I had a dural tear but lucky didn't suffer much loss of spinal fluid so didn't suffer the headache.

1 day after the op I was up and walking about with help, 3 days later I was climbing stairs. 4 weeks on no pain killers required only one anti imflamatory tablet a day.

Massive relief, just need to get fit now ! :P

[dhide14]

How long does pain remain AFTER this surgery? WHen will I feel "normal" again?

[neckandback]

@dhide14 Dr. Corenman personally answers all questions asked in his forum AskSpineDoc (dot) com . Please join the forum and ask your question there. Thanks!

[soloban81]

@dhide14 I had this surgery done after being in miserable pain for a year. When I woke up in the recovery room the pain was GONE. I had pain from surgery but the back and leg pain was gone. The pain from the surgery was nothing that a couple ibuprofen a day for a week or so couldn't handle. I was backpacking withing 3 months. Your results may vary!

[ChessGM1]

My MRI reads as:

Mild 2mm of grade 1 L5-S1 . L4-S1 disc desiccation and mild height loss.  The L4-5 disc has a large central protrusion with left lateral recess. Disc extrusion measures 1.8 cm. L4-5 associated moderate to severe central canal stenosis. One dr advised a discectomy with a LLIF of L4-L5. Another dr. recommended only a discectomy. I am confused by the two different diagnosis. Can you please offer a bit of advice on what is the proper diagnosis?

[neckandback]

@ChessGM1 Dr. Corenman responds to these questions personally if you post them in his forum. Please go to AskSpineDoc(dot)com and post your question there. He typically responds within 24 hours as long as he is not traveling. Thanks for visiting his channel.

[MrMhelm25]

i am assuming this is the same as an extruded disc. i had surgery on this (right side)in 1987 and scheduled for this type of procedure tue june 14. the pain has diminished some but almost complete numbness exists in the foot and sometimes the ankle. After seeing chiropractors and therapy i have come to the conclusion that surgery is my only option. any advice.,

[hightops77]

Thank you very much.

[hightops77]

I forgot to mention I never had surgey be fore. Doc back then wanted to but went to dr. Moron in Pittsburgh and he said no surgey it will go away and in about 9 months I felt like nothing every happened to me. Like I was good as new. Thank you

[hightops77]

I have virtually "no pain" at all just some tingling in toes and some numbness in foot, but it seems like it might me going away and extremely slight siatica but not all the time. When this started on feb 11,2011 I had times where I could hardly walk. Surgeon mention surgey but I just can't believe that I need it at all. As I write this I have no pain at all. I just think it would be an extreme mistake for surgey. Let me know what u think. Thank you very much for answering back

[hightops77]

L5 S1 herniated disc bout 14 mm had MRI.Have systems ; tingling ( not all the time) in toes, numbness on top of feet but not the whole foot. calf does get some soreness to it but not alot will go away stretching it out surgeon says I should have surgey what do I do? I admint i am not doing as much stuff I normally do. I do get a " pulling felling" in my lower back and sometime little soreness in hip. Do I do what the doc says and get cut? By the way I herniated this same disc 11 years ago. Was

[hightops77]

I have an l5 s1 disc herniation (14mm I think it is) this is the second time I got it on this disc. No surgey then. Now 11 years later doc wants to do surgey. Got tingling in toes, tight calf. Virtually no pain. Should I get this done. This is driven me crazy

[jab300]

@rbowater...I had the same surgery(L5s1)and having same problem.

[rbowater]

I had this surgery on L5 S1 after months of chronic left leg pain. Pain was gone and strength back in the leg after surgery but 2 weeks later some pain came back in left leg and then in my right leg. Another MRI shows no further herniation but some scar tissue. I am now nearly 4 months post op and still have pins and needles, muscle twitches and some pain in both legs. Doc says it's nerve damage and may take up to a year to come right! Back feels fine though.

[rbowater]

I had this surgery on L5 S1 after months of chronic left leg pain. Pain was gone and strength back in the leg after surgery but 2 weeks later some pain came back in left leg and then in my right leg. Another MRI shows no further herniation but some scar tissue. I am now nearly 4 months post op and still have pins and needles, muscle twitches and some pain in both legs. Doc says it's nerve damage and may take up to a year to come right! Back feels fine though.

[neckandback]

@rbowater I created a thread for you on my forum with the answer. You can see it at neckandback (DOT) com/back-pain/152-surgery-on-l­5-s1-after-months-of-chronic-l­eft-leg-pain#153

[Necrotion7]

i had this done when i was 15 now at 20 i suffer everyday, i dont see this life getting much better now

[neckandback]

@Necrotion7 I have posted your comment as a thread with my response at my forum. The topic is in the Back Pain section is called "Pain after Lumbar Microdiscectomy"

[JPleb1]

well after more then a month of pain in the back leg, i did the IRM and found out that a have a "Grosse Hernie Discale" a big one in the l5-s1, the Dr ordered me to stay home, sleeping, for 10 days of relaxation, with medicaments and injections. its the fifth day now and the thing is that im not feeling any pain now, just from sleeping too much i guess, is that normal! i mean i heard that this should be the most painful kind of disk... should i make some exercise now? or i shouldnt ??

[neckandback]

@JPleb1

I responded to your question on my forum. It's in the Back Pain section under the label "A Month of Back and Leg Pain!"

I hope all is well,

Dr Corenman.

[JPleb1]

well thanks a lot for your reply, the 5 injections i took,were B12 Vitamins(Difen) not epidural, muscle relaxant (Lagaflex) and anti-inflammatory suppositories (Profenid).

i still can stand on my left leg and on the tip of it as they told me here, without any weakness feeling so i guess that is great.

u said 4-6 months for a full recovery, u mean im gonna still feel the pain till that time or i should relax within days and than start the exercise and after that Full recovery?

thanks

[neckandback]

@JPleb1

You should be in therapy now. It normally takes 4-6 months before you have no or minimal symptoms.

Dr. Corenman

[TheTruthRocks]

@rudeness46 - I had an L5-S1 discectomy on 3 Jan 11, and I returned to work (desk job) after a week of recovery at home. I am up and around but still taking it easy.  Prior to surgery I had moderate left-side sciatic radiculopathy that made walking difficult and painful. Three + weeks post-surgery, I have no pain in the leg. The only residual symptoms are slight numbness in my left foot toes, but that seems to be receding. Good luck with your condition.

[sallywilton]

I have just had this operation and advised not to sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time. At the begining you just want to like down anyway but you can walk in between for longer and longer periods as time progresses + doing the exercises as advised.

[rudeness46]

How long be4 you heal? Can you return to work within a week, if you job is sedentary?

[runnerglass]

This may be stupid question but I had a l5-s1 discectomy 7 weeks ago but i never asked is the area on the disc where the herniated part of the disc squeezed through closed during surgery or does the disc heal itself naturally? would be grateful if anybody could tell me

[neckandback]

@runnerglass

The tear in the back of the disc never heals as there is no blood supply to heal the tear. You do develop a scar on the outside of the tear which tenuously covers the defect. This is why there is about a 10% chance of a recurrent herniation.

[rudeness46]

@runnerglass