Sciatic Pain Post Discectomy?

Question

About a week ago i had a Discectomy on L5/S1 to relieve the pain Sciatica was causing me. Before the op i couldn't stand for any period of time without having a lot of pain, sneezing would bring me pain, any stretching of the leg, trying to bring my leg to a vertical position while lying down would pose a problem due to the restrictions of the pain. The highest i could get it would be like 30 degrees.

So i had the Discectomy and when i woke up and became less drowsy etc i tested how i was. I could bring my leg up really far (although this isn't a great idea :P), sneezing didn't hurt and i felt awesome.

It's been just over a week and i get pain when going from seated to standing, pain when trying to extend my leg, although i'm not over doing it with this, it's just to see when the pain will come, and i get pain when sneezing.

Is this normal? Is it to do with the bruising? I read about scar tissue formation and that's pretty scary. I'm really just asking if it's normal to have no pain after the surgery and a week later start to get pain again and if this is likely to go?

It just seems strange to have pain, no pain and then go back to pain again, even though it doesn't seem that bad yet i'm worried that if the pain has gradually come back to where it is now (after a week) it might get a lot worse after say... 3-4.

Thanks a lot. I know there's a lot here so i appreciate any informed and educated answers.

Answer 1

i had an l5/s1 discectomy 5 days ago and ever since i have suffered severe back pain and sciatica,this is worse than pre op, also i have had constant headache and a very swollen abdomen, i cannot hold myself up without holding on,walking without crutches is impossible as my back seems to give way when i try to lift up a leg,i also have to drag my legs while walking with my crutches as i cannot lift them. i cannot get up from a lying down position without help, has anyone had these same problems as i dont no what to do, thank you jakki