anyone had a laminectomy?

[lane912]

I am scheduled for one next month to deal with a bulging disc that is pressing against the nerve root and inhibiting my right leg from firing correctly. doesn't that sound like fun?

have had two rounds of steroid injections at the nerve root with little to no result....

I manage pain through photography. When I am in a highly creative state it overwhelms the pain in that moment. I guess it could be worse-

I post images her often, if you were wondering why some are dark this is why-

if any of you have had this procedure, I am interested in your opinion and if you saw any change?

[John Rogers]

I had what was called a "semi-laminectomy" due to several pieces of a disk breaking off way back in 1979 or so. I had issues with my right leg loosing ALL feeling and it was as if the leg just disappeared! The Navy doctors did two tests, one showed the blocked nerves and the other showed nothing wrong? He mentioned that was never supposed to happen but........he did the surgery and all has been fine since.

[sammyg2]

Had one done in 1985 IIRC, L5 to S1.

Overnight relief, after 4 or 5 days in the hospital.
Back to work 3 weeks later but no where near 100%.
I've had back pain on and off ever since, but not as bad as before the operation.

I consider that operation a LAST RESORT after trying everything else first.

[Arizona_928]

A lot of people with herniated disks on Pelican.
I had one last year. Bi-lateral so they took out chunks on both sides. I'm quite young so it was really really hard... I still have a pinched nerve on one side so the pain is intermittent, but I have been finally able to enjoy things I have missed...

After the procedure it was extremely hard to walk. Walked with a cane for a few weeks. Try to plan a vacation around it. I went to Germany right after my procedure. Forced me to get out of the hotel, and walk.

[nvr2mny]

Spinal-laminectomy @ 10 yrs ago. Went in through the front of my neck. Morphine wouldn't touch the pain, lots of it too. I feel for you. Once done though, life changing.

[NY65912]

I had a double lam L3-4 L4-5 back in 1994. It was supposed to be a 1˝ hr operation but was 6˝ hrs long. One of my discs extruded forcing material out and down in to the space below. It was the adhesions that took the time to clean out. It took a few weeks until I was able to walk well. PT is essential to recovery, don't be lax.

With a few bulging discs they will be making room for the cord by removing the lamina of the vertebra thereby eliminating the pressure.

I did it as a last resort. I lost function in my left leg as well as bowel and bladder. I felt relief from the surgery but I have had problems with my muscles ever since. I have been diagnsed with "failed back syndrome" / myofascial pain syndrome. My experience is that the docs kind of minimize the surgery. Of course it has been 22 years since I had mine. I expect that the procedure may have been improved since then. I do not want to scare you, but I had pulonary emboli the day after surgery. This was due to ithe procedure being quite lengthy.

I wish you the best of luck!

[Nickshu]

I just had one 3 weeks ago. For me it was amazing. I woke up pain free and almost feel back to normal now at 3 weeks other than some stiffness. I had severe sciatic pain L5/S1 before w/ a large disc herniation the size of your thumb. Surgery was outpatient, about 1 hour total time on the table.

My injury was very acute. Yours sounds very chronic. From what I can surmise from talking with my doc, PT, and others, the more acute the more profound the results. The more chronic the more mixed the results can be and the slower the improvement. I imagine everyone gets better afterwards but I think with a chronic injury a lot of scar tissue forms making the recovery a bit slower.

Good luck!