Has anyone successfully recovered from lumbar disc surgery?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:52:17 -0500

I have a herniated disc in my L4/L5 area that's getting pretty serious with sciatica all the way down my left leg. I have a consult with a surgeon on the 21st. I've been trying to avoid surgery as I have consistently scored a 290-300 on my APFT for years, and I'm big into weightlifting. I am still able to dead lift 385, squat 385 and run in the 13-14 minute range. <div><br></div><div>So I'm pretty mobile but the pain is getting bad. I give that back story on physical fitness to ask how many of you have had lumbar micro discectomy and have gone back to that level of mobility? </div><div><br></div><div>I'm concerned about my career. I've had a pretty good career to this point and I'm just hoping it isn't all for naught and getting medically retired at 13 years or so... </div><div><br></div><div>My PA is telling me he's never met someone who has fully recovered from back surgery so I'm a little worried :/</div>

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 7:53 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:53:48 -0500

I should mention a minor complication is that I'm supposed to PCS to Hawaii in March. Bad timing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 8:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 20:15:13 -0500

SFC,

Not to increase your worry, but yes it can be difficult to bounce back from that surgery. I've been a surgical tech for 17 years and Ortho/Neuro spine was one of my specialties. You have to commit to your physical therapy, follow your doctors advice and recommendations. And most importantly, leave behind any unrealistic expectations. Look for pain relief, and be able to accept that your days of smoking the APFT may be over.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 27 at 2013 9:21 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:21:06 -0500

Relax, you need the relief and it appears that this is the only way to get it (you have tried backing off the PT to see if it would repair that way, right?)
There are Physical therapists and sports medicine physicians that have been able to bring people from near paralysis to full function again. Hawaii may not be a bad option when looking for a therapist compared to Bliss, either. Keep in mind, that this will probably be a private therapist/trainer that won't be covered by Tri-care (Army Sports medicine is getting better, but still has a long way to go).
Secret from what I understand is stay positive, stay focused, set reasonable goals/expectations and stay with it. (Can't speak first hand, but have chatted with a few success stories).

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 27 at 2013 9:45 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:45:17 -0500

Matt,

I continually put mine off for over a decade, I had/have compressions of the L4/5 and S1, have done all the spectrum from meds, chiro, shots, PT, massage, etc., I lived with it from 1985 until I retired in 2010, it didn't shorten my career, but it didn't help me in the long run either. I held off until retirement and had the VA get involved, still receiving the litany of treatments, they are pushing surgery, but to me that is the last resort, the risk of paralysis and non-full recovery for me is too high that I will either continue with the meds and other avenues or just live with it.

I had a friend that had to have the vertebrae in his upper spine and neck fused, his career was pretty much done after that, luckily he had his 20+ already in so they couldn't med him out, but he chose to retire anyway for his and family's sake.

It is a hard decision, I would try and get the profile in MEDPROS lifted for the PCS, and in all honesty go back in once you get to Tripler and be re-evaluated and put back in the system for further referrals to the specialists. It is a back handed way to do it, but it is what would be done to you if it could be gotten away with, anyone who has been in long enough knows this.

Good luck and stay strong.

Response by PO1 Thomas B. made Dec 27 at 2013 9:47 PM

PO1 Thomas B. — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:47:50 -0500

I had a laminectomy and discectomy on my L4/L5 in 2002 and while I don't risk golfing or anything else that requires major trunk twisting, I've been much better off than I was. I used to have major sciatic pain down both legs and some numbness on my feet. Once in a while I would have an "episode" where the pain was so bad, the only way to get out of bed was to roll out and try to crawl around. The surgery relieved/removed all of that and I have not had an "episode" since. I do most exercises, ride 30 to 50 miles at a time on my bike, etc. I am still very careful with anything that can cause a lot of spinal compression or major twisting though.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 12:54 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:54:41 -0500

SFC,

There is light at the end of the tunnel. I have had several surgeries durning my career. Five to be exact. The most difficult to bounce back from was lower back surgery (L4-L5/L5-S1). I waited three years before allowing the surgery to take place. I consulted several surgoens and other healthcare personel. Before you agree to surgery talk to as many doctors as you can. Remember, surgeons want to operate, General Practitioners want to medicate, Therapist want to provide exercises or stretches, etc... Choose what fits you and your life style.

I chose surgery but would not allow the surgeon to fuse my vertibre. We argued but it was my decision. In the end I had a long recovery (nearly 3 years) until I was back in good shape. Since surgery I have completed the Batton Death March at Whitesands (heavy category), Assessed and was selected for AWG, and am currently preparing for a Tough Mudder this summer. I score 288-295 on my APFT consistantly. Recovery was a slow process but it is possible to return or even improve your fitness level. Core, Core, Core!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2013 4:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 04:12:08 -0500

Battle as as Senior Medical NCO I will tell you that every person heals different.<div><br></div><div>From what you describe, you are a pretty fit person, and in my experience those are the Soldiers who have a high success rate in recovery.  One of my friends, SFC, stud, started to experience the same as you, had the surgery, and bounced back and seven months later he just won a muscleman competition.  He is back to running the whole nine yards.</div><div><br></div><div>Me on the other hand, I was average PT.  I was affraid of surgery so I did the epidural space injections (ESI) through the pain clinic (what CSM is talking about), went on a walking profile for five years, and it wasn't until now that I have gotten back to running. </div><div><br></div><div>I had all the same symptoms as you, but worse, I could barely walk anymore.  It got worse cause I kept on pushing (like you're doing).</div><div><br></div><div>I would definitely get a few different opinions from two different surgeons.  There are several tests that are done.  They have to check you and make sure you don't have degenerative disc disease, and test the stability of the discs above the affected ones.  A lot goes into the decision. </div><div><br></div><div>I have seen people get medically retired, I didn't let it happen to me.  I am now running faster than some of my younger Soldiers.  Still have a little soreness and it bothers me, always will.  But I'm good now.</div><div><br></div><div>Good luck to you.  Get informed about it, read up, have a lot of questions ready for the Docs.  PAs are great but don't know everything.  Take care of yourself.  I was a SSG when it this all started and I was selected in the secondary zone to SFC.</div>

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 31 at 2013 10:07 AM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 10:07:28 -0500

SFC J., my boss had the same procedure several years ago (twice in three years). He recovered well the first time and went back to PTing with the crew in under six months. He had good flexibility and strength after the surgery. However, the second time was worse, and his recovery wasn't as fast or complete. The second set of discs effected were a little lower in his lumbar spine, and had been more severely damaged. It may depend on the specifics regarding location and damage to your back.

Best of luck to you. Hope you get the relief from this that you need.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2014 6:34 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:34:15 -0500

SFC Jones……I'm so sick of hearing about your disks…suck it up and drive on…j/k. Hope everything works out before you PCS.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 17 at 2014 10:07 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:07:29 -0400

Do you have an update for us CW2 Private RallyPoint Member ?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 17 at 2014 10:18 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:18:50 -0400

Yes, had the exact same condition. I had a mesh screen inserted during outpatient surgery and walked out of the hospital the same day. Prior to that the pain was excruciating. It would take me 30 minutes to get going in the morning - crawl from the bedroom to the kitchen, get myself up using the counter and stretch just to walk. After 2 months of PT I was good to go The docs cleared me and I was off to Iraq. Never had another issue since - going on 9 years now, knock on wood!

Response by SPC Mike Lake made Feb 13 at 2018 12:35 AM

SPC Mike Lake — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:35:09 -0500

My mom had it in November had 4 buldging discs they fused her L4-5 and she is doing amazing

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2020 9:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 21:52:13 -0500

I would stay away from the va doing it. I haven't had it done but are considering it. Still consulting with surgery professionals. I,m long retired from service and I believe I was injured on active duty. But I was told I was fine of course I wasn't, but suffering tremendously that's why I am considering it. I wish I knew someone with first hand knowledge I don't. My father had surgery, and was great but it more serious but it took him long time to find a competent surgeon. All I know.