Sciatic pain following laminectomy/discectomy

[kelly from ontario]

hi.I am in the same situation.off work since 2008 with annular tear.mark is consulting with dr.Yeung in pheonix on my behalf to see what he may be able to do for me.i have had 4 epidural cortisone and increased pain meds.have lower back pain and an electric currant that runs down back of my legs in to both feet.pain different every day and sometimes get a break for 4-5 days then its back with a vengence.also may have adr.whatever it takes to make me better and i can have a life again.
kelly

[Crystal33]

If you are having "some" good days that is a good sign. For some, improvement has been slow but genuine over a period of years.
Is the annular tear in a different disk to the operated disc?
Unless only a migrated disc fragment is removed, discectomies purposely create an anular defect that is not repaired by most surgeons and may never heal.

There are emerging methods (link below) for sealing anular defects that you could consider ahead of major surgery.

Biologic disc treatments

[nomorepain]

i had a lamo way back in 1979, however the surgery never relieved anything, in fact i felt worse after that surgery. my surgeon said i would be in for many more surgeries and most likely fusion. although i held off for almost 30 yrs, my ADR surgery was for me the best thing i have ever done. So to wait it out, i am not sure that is a good idea. you should maybe get another opinion, as it seems a lil strange that your Doc is recommending ADR as your solution, but it's definetly worth checking out with the right Doc.

[kelly from ontario]

hi
i recently had mark (thru global patient network) introduce me to dr zeegers who works out of beta klinik in bonn germany , and he feels a adr would be the most effective way to deal with my annular tear.at this time i am able to move better than i have in 2 years and i did tell him this.he did say that the body can heal and he hopes it lasts but will be available if i dont stay pain free.i am so relieved to finally have a solution after being off work x 17 months.will keep you posted.
kelly from ontario

[mmglobal]

I had microdiscectomy / laminotomies in 2000 and 2001. Leg pain was mostly resolved by ADR surgery in 2002. Still mostly gone.

Mark

[Maria]

WH,
the only thing with waiting it out and wait and see type of mentality is to know when waiting it out time is over and action time is now .. that is an individual choice once reputable recommendations are given/obtained.

Now I must tell you that even tho I have waited it out.. I rather over waited it out re being able to do anything like ADR surgery as my facets are now shot per my OSS at the levels I would have had ADR and I've had lumbar osteoporosis for a while now.

Currently I'm pretty functional given I don't work which actually I often wish I did again because I miss being in the world of medicine (was RN/NP and retired in 2000).

Wait long enough to see whether you get relief or results from waiting and or conservative treatment tho also act if and when you have to as many here have. I didn't want to come off as one to just say "wait" indefinately~