S shaped column after surgery

[MrGRT]

Has anyone suffered something similar?

25 days after my second microdiscectomy my back is S shaped,everyday seems worst both in form and pain, my hip on the left side is quite sore.

I appreciate any help.


I will see a physiotherapist tomorrow, my Dr will see me in 3 weeks

[The_Doc]

MrGRT said:

Has anyone suffered something similar?

25 days after my second microdiscectomy my back is S shaped,everyday seems worst both in form and pain, my hip on the left side is quite sore.
I will see a physiotherapist tomorrow, my Dr will see me in 3 weeks

That soon after a microdisc it's likely to be muscles switching back on again, but if you're concerned you need to see a healthcare professional. The S shape, if it's seen from the back, is called a Scoliosis. If you are S shaped from the side it's either a Lordosis or Kyphosis

Kyphosis (from Greek - kyphos, a hump)
Scoliosis (from Greek: σκολιος skolios "crooked")
Lordosis [Greek lordōsis , from lordos , bent backward.]

[MrGRT]

Should I keep mobile ?

Thanks.

[The_Doc]

MrGRT said:

Should I keep mobile ?

Thanks.

You need to ask your surgeon/his physio this. Ring.

I don't give specific advice over the wires..

[MrGRT]

Interestingly I have been to two different physiotherapists, they provided different opinion regarding exercises. One recommended forward bending the other against it. This I find disappointing, I would expect similar treatments.

It seems that this problem takes time to resolve, 2 to 4 months? . I am truly depressed.

[69 coupe]

Of interest, does standing on on one leg feel different from the other?

Why!

I had a micro discectomy done in 2001, immediately after I felt weaker on the left side my op was for the left side, as to date it is the same. ie putting on trousers.

I feel it at L5 S1 left side...

[dreamer75]

Did the physios say what the cause was? Muscle spasm or something?

[MrGRT]

Yes. My left leg is not strong enough to support my body.
My lef hip is quite sore as well. The lower left back side gradually becomes stiff when walking. After 20 meters I have to walk with short steps. Dragging the left leg.

They believe is muscle spasm,but i am not so sure. I get shooting pain on my lower back when walking,it feels as if the muscles contract really fast putting pressure in the spine and possibly pressuring a nerve as every time It happens the pain goes to 10.

From what i've read it could also be scarring tissue, although it seems this ia pretty rare.

[Sticks.]

Perhaps it'd be worth asking about hydro-therapy? If a practitioner isn't available, your physio ought to be able to give you a few exercises to do, and as long as the water's warm enough, do it yourself. Everyone's different so best ask.

[MrGRT]

Sticks. said:

Perhaps it'd be worth asking about hydro-therapy?

I have an appointment in 10 days

[Sticks.]

MrGRT said:

I have an appointment in 10 days

Great, works well for me, needs to be warm though.

[MrGRT]

Just came back after my 5th phisio, I screamed 3 times, the pain is excruciating. I found myself almost crying in the car, crying in anger, I am tired of this.

The phisio told me to see my GP and ask for stronger painkillers and see the specialist asap,
But the Dr is supposedly on leave for TWO weeks, everyone is entitled to their leave, but come on I complained about this 2 weeks ago and now I find that it will not be him seeing me? It's a fking joke.

[69 coupe]

My discectomy wasn't that painful I'd be heading to A&E for an x-ray, especially if your spine wasn't that curved before the op.

[dreamer75]

Is there anybody standing in for your specialist? I had a microdiscectomy in 2010 (and fusion this year) and although painful the recovery wasn't like yours. I do have weakness on one side which I'm working hard to address now, and the physio does make me sob when she works on muscles that are tight - especially ITB! !!! My weakness and bad gait cause similar problems to you when walking, and we've spent a fair bit of time with treadmills and gait analysis to try and fix it - still working on that one !!

BUT it sounds like you need to confirm nothing's gone awry? (or however you spell it) before getting a physio to work on it? My dad had to have two discectomys in relatively close succession when the original disc herniated again.

BUT (again!) the internet won't tell you the answer, it sounds like you need to push to get in front of the doc again, or someone who's standing in for him (perhaps just a phone call would help), or get the physio to explain exactly what's going on and what causes the excrutiating pain.

[MrGRT]

I tried to contact the specialist through the PALS (Patient Advise & Liaison Service), they were going to try to get me an appointment asap but they did not call back, no surprise there.

Yes, I need some sort of scan, I will try to push the GP for that tomorrow, if not, I'll go to A&E.
They gave me tramadol to try to make it to the practice tomorrow.

I am really in bad shape, I'm sure now something is not correct, hopefully can be sorted out without another intervention as I don't know how I will react/support to bad news this time.

Edited by MrGRT on Monday 2nd April 20:46

[dreamer75]

Please please please be careful with the Tramadol!

Don't hesitate to take it if you need the pain relief, no point being a hero (within max doses etc.) just be aware that it can be physically addictive, so maybe just be careful when you come off it.

I took it fine after microdiscectomy, but after the fusion I took it, and then tried to stop. Hit withdrawal (full on). GP was dismissive and didn't see why it should be a problem, and I would've thought I was a diva, if I hadn't gone through it myself!

Just caveat this with the fact I'm just a layperson!

Good luck, keep pushing to speak to the specialist...

[MrGRT]

Saw the GP and the specialist, no scan. They gave me Diazepam, so now, I am taking Diazepam,Tramadol, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Omeprazole and Montelukast. They assure me that I can take all of that but I don't think I will, too much risk.

The specialist reckons with the Diazepam I should feel better in two days.

Thanks Dreamer, I'll keep that in mind.

[dreamer75]

Again I'm no doctor whatsoever, but if they reckon diazapam will work then it sounds like a muscle spasm (at least that's what they gave me for those)? Wiped me out while it worked, which helped at the time !!!!!

But I'd still want to know what is causing it!

[tonyvid]

From a purely remote-sitting-in-front-of-monitor point of view, it sounds like a really bad muscle spasm case. What switches that on is another issue.

I feel your pain, back in about '97 I had something similar after filming with a really heavy camera all afternoon in freezing conditions and akward positions. By the time I got home I had to roll out of the car on all fours. My left hip was about 10cm higher than the right and you could've played a tune on my back muscles, they were that hard. I had a week of diazipam(sp?) which was interesting! It eventually eased with massage, being doped and exercise but I wouldn't want to have it again!

If you have thaose sort of spasms and disc/nerve issues as well it must be bloody agony

[MrGRT]

Yes. I've just walked to the kitchen and back to bed. I got about 6 spasms.
Now I am getting them in the bed as well.
The specialist believes that is either an infection or muscle spasm. If it were the latter I would have been better today.
I will get a blood test done today. If I don't improve in a week they will finally do a scan.
Why wait?

I'll keep pushing for the scan.

Ps I was seen by one of the assistants. The specialist is on leave.