runner's surgery blog, L4/5, 2008

[runner]

Oh, yeah.
Steel, also want to tell you that the Disc is working fine.
I had the flexion and extension xrays on Monday and it is working just like it is supposed to do. Doc said it looked great...so that is what you have to look forward to at six months. The xrays are cool because you bend back as far as you can without pain and then reach down to touch your toes.
No, I cannot touch my toes yet, but got to my knees.
Keep the faith.

[runner]

runner:

It does sound like nothing more than a bump in the roller coaster ride of recovery for you. I hope and pray that is all there is to it. I try to be optimistic with everyone and sometimes my optimism has not held out as the person's difficulty was not just a bump. Hopefully that is not the case for you. It is only six months and this is a long recovery process. It took me all of 20 months to really start feeling good and I still have my moments. The cool and dampness of Fall has hurt a little in the last couple of weeks intermittently. I do have 1,600 miles ridden so far this season with more rides coming up. I am going to believe that you will get there yet yourself.

Hang in there and continue to take it easy.

Terry Newton
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1980 ruptured L4-L5
1988 ruptured SI-L5
1990 ruptured C5-C6
1994 ruptured C6-C7
1995 Hemi-Laminectomy C5-C6, C6-C7 Mayo Clinic
Bicycle Accident 2004
MRI, EMG, Facet Injections, Epidural Blocks, Lumbar Discogram.
Stenum Hospital Surgery November 4, 2006
Prestige Disc C5-C6, C6-C7
Maverick Disc S1-L5, L4-L5

[runner]

Thanks Terry.

I hope and pray it is just a bump and not some big mountain. Your story is inspirational to me and I kind of knew to expect that this would not be an easy recovery.
I didn't expect a problem with another disc. With all my research, I didn't come upon the idea of micro tears in other discs after surgery.
My CT discogram back in October, 2007, only showed an annular tear in L4/5 and all the other discs were okay.
Who knows?? I am just trying not to lift or bend too much until things calm down.
The Gabapentin has already caused some fluid retention. I blame this little med for putting 20 pounds on me but I worry more about nerve symptoms than the side effects of this drug.
Ultimately, I believe that I will get back to exercising and top shape like I was, but I will just have to approach the path to that a little differently. More cross-training and more core work, etc...
For now, it is do the home exercies, be careful, do PT and ice.

[runner]

Hey runner,

I hope things start to smooth out for you...keep us posted!

-Justin

[runner]

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Hello Justin,

Not doing too bad. Gabapentin helps sciatica a lot and I am doing most of my usual activities. Just paying attention to not lifting much and using my grabber instead of bending over and getting something.
I am tired of going to doctors. This has been record years for me in 2007 and 2008. I want to go back to work and enjoy this Disc.
And I'd like to be able to exercise more

[runner]

Update of sorts,

Looks like I might be having problems with the L5/S1 disc but really don't know. My pain is apparently at that level and my sciatica is following some of the nerves that are at that level.

Anyway, started back with PT and had a phonophoresis hydrocortizone treatment. Nothing much new with the symptoms. One day I will feel pretty good and the next, have increased sciatica.
Doing okay on Aleve and Tylenol. The Gabapentin helps a lot but still making me sleepy, getting used to it slowly. Of course, my weight jumped when I restarted the Gabapentin (Neurotin).

Anyone out there had phonophoresis? And what is your experience?

[runner]

runner,
I am so sorry to hear about your sciatica and numbness. These symptoms are so concerning and scary on the road to recovery. I have never been able to get rid of the sciatica in my right leg and am now developing some in the left leg. I sometimes wonder what is going on with our bodies? I do feel that the pilates can be hard on those back of leg muscles and hamstring insertion joints. Low weights may not irritate those areas as much as the heavier ones. I am not sure if you are still doing pilates but it was just a thought. Take care and be well.
Phylly
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Cervical fusion C4-C6 2002
Fall on tailbone April 2005
Discogram positive at L4-S1 2007
Prodisc ADR surgery L4-L5-S1 November 2007 Dr. Delamarter
Decompression surgery L4-S1 for left sided sciatica July 2008
Continued back pain, looking at possible fusion
Removal of Prodiscs and L4-S1 fusion February 2009

[runner]

Phylly, we are back.
No pilates. Do the phonophoresis treatment and then no exercises or walking until 24 hours later. Did some straight leg raises and pelvic tilts on Monday. Walked today about one mile or so.
Not exactly putting in six to eight mile runs. Hah Hah.

[runner]

Doing some late night typing. I am getting sleepy but am winding down with some little laptp fun.
Went to a cardiovascular symposioum (heart) today, and have had a change in symptoms. In San Francisco, I would occassionally get a "sleepy" right foot and then it would go away and I had pain with sitting, but not awful.

This week, I went to back-to-school at the high school (walked), drove 35 minutes to Irvine and sat for one hour doing interview, and drove back, went to PT, and drove kids to practice. Then on Thursday, attended PT.

Today (Friday) went to syposoum but my right foot's plantar fascia was hurting while I was sitting. I got up to walk as much as possible during the symposium also because I am having a bit of back pain while sitting. Anyway, was standing for a while after seminar ended and then drove home, which was more than an hour drive and hit the Friday night traffic a bit.
So my right foot goes almost all numb and my right leg (up shins, knees, thigh and hamstring/glute) is also numb but not as much as foot. I thought I might have to get off the freeway and stamp my foot around a bit but I just concentrated on driving instead and wanted to get home as soon as possible. My left foot whidh I don't need to drive was the one that was just tingling and not like that.

I have never had my foot fall asleep like that when driving and it scared me a bit. I was a bit of a heavy foot--called "lead foot" when I was driving. `
So I iced my back as usual when I got back and my foot did wake up when I got out of my car although my glute remained numb.

This morning, my legs are tingling and my feet just while I am laying in bed. So a gradual increase of symptoms over the past week.

So what do you think? I have already been told that I have a micro tear in one of my other discs.


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[runner]

Update:

Looks like I am okay. Despite the tingling and numbness in my feet and legs, and radiculopathy (sciatica), I have been given the okay to start a work program in physical therapy.

I love backs, they are so darn confusing. I increased my Gabapentin (Neurotin) dose as the doc directed. I am now on 300 mg four times a day and can go up to six times a day if I need it and can tolerate it. I'll see how four times a day pans out.
Still, the side effects seem to be water retention and weight gain. I have lost six pounds since I got back on the gabapentin and initially gained weight, but that is not without a lot of effort on my part to eat more healthy and less.

Saturday, marks my seventh-month anniversary since surgery at L4/5. Yah--OOO.

When I was at the doctor's, I could get past my knees but still cannot touch my toes. I can really feel the mobility with the disc. I like the idea that I can get past my knees. Progress. Still cannot put shoes on normally. A lot of people probably have this problem post-op with stiff muscles that don't work quite the same as before surgery.

Still happy and grateful that I was able to get the surgery despite the insurance hell and such.

I am able to do some of this 'giving back stuff' now and able to so far stay off the narcotic pain meds so I can drive and do things. I am volunteering at a bone marrow drive tomorrow (Saturday) that a friend of mine has coordinated. There will be drives at several fire stations simultaneously and hopefully we will sign up several people and help save lives.

Keeping the faith and making progress.
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