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Posted 10/14/2018 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I recently have had posterior cervical laminectomy for spinal stenosis with mylopathy at c-6-T-1. Also just had lumbar laminectomy L3,4, and 5. Surgeries were in August and October so is has been a difficult few months.

Main symptom, I am unable to walk without a walker...this was to be relieved or helped with the lumbar surgery especially. While it has only been 10 days since lumbar surgery, how long does it take for nerves to decompress enough so that you get your gait back, at the very least with a cane?

How many of you have had spinal stenosis and your walking ability returned or improved after surgery? How long did it take?
Posted 10/14/2018 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
SG, this is going to take a lot of time & patience. If I remember correctly you were having a lot of nerve pain with your one leg. Nerves heal on their own & there really is not a certain time frame for the healing. I wish I could give you specifics but I just can't. Drs can give an estimate but they don't really know either. I checked your other post the other day & was hoping we would be hearing from you soon.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.
Posted 10/14/2018 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Susie, I am done with both surgeries, cervical laminectomy Aug 9 and lumbar decompression and hardware removal Oct 4.. I can’t say there is a huge improvement in anything except most importantly, the progression of mylopathy has been halted.

I guess after going through so much as I have in 2 months, I was expecting to have been further down the road. I have done PT and plan to do more after I get the okay from the doctor on Friday.
Posted 10/15/2018 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
SC:
Phew . . . The second surgery is successfully behind you in your rear view mirror. Take that as a “win.”

Realize that the decompressive surgery that you underwent just 2 weeks ago is, in itself, a traumatic event to the body area at hand. There will be post-operative edema and an influx of vascular and lympathic fluid to the surgical site, bringing macrophages, fibrin and all manner of cellular material that aides in healing. Naturally occurring fluid influx and edema may be slowing your expectation of more rapid neurological recovery.

Keep your activity level gentle and in moderation so not to escalate local inflammation. Walking on level surfaces at an easy pace should be fine but more strenuous activity reigned in. Water/pool therapy is often a welcomed environment when your surgeon indicates wound healing is sufficient. Walking in a shallow pool or participating in a gentle/low impact water/pool arthritis class would be worth discussing with your surgeon and locating an availing community pool (often through a local YMCA or local Silver Sneaker’s program).

Central nervous system myelopathy recovery is distinct from other peripheral nerve compression recovery. Generally, CNS recovery is most pronounced/witnessed/achieved during the initial 4-6 months from the date of onset of injury (where surgical intervention is not indicated or not a viable option) or date of surgery (where surgical intervention is available/indicated). You “should” expect to see your strongest gains/recovery during the next 4-6 months.

Recovery can continue after this period, but gains will be less dramatic and the rate of improvement slower/gradual.

Be gentle and kind to your body. Rest as needed. Keep in mind proper body mechanics and posture to minimize mechanical stress to the cervical and lumbar spine. Walk frequently, short distances, on level surfaces.

It sounds as though you are in a hopeful trajectory of recovery. Keep faith. Best wishes.
Karen
Posted Today 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Scorpio_girl, it has been a bit since we last heard from you. I am wondering how you are doing since your back surgery. I hope your recovery is going well. Please update us when you get a chance.

Take care.
Posted 12/3/2018 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have successfully completed the cervical fusion laminectomy Aug 9 and the lumbar laminectomy which was L3,4 and 5...no fusion there just removal of old hardware which had not fused. I have healed fairly well with both surgeries. My problems I currently have are foot drop, heavy legs at times, nerve pain, esp in shoulder and left arm, bladder incontinence, motor skill probs...unfortunately these probs existed prior to the surgeries but I am thinking there has been some improvement. I have PT 3x a week which I think is helping. My outlook remains positive but sometimes, it falters🤔. I am told recovery is slow but goodness, it is frustrating. Nerve pain is much more pronounced than it has been in the past. I take gabapentin 2400mg daily...cannot tell it helps much. I am hoping that nerves pain is a sign of healing. I am still using walker but in PT I walk small amounts on a cane with a belt around me “just in case”. I am about to enter the 4th month since the cervical fusion so hoping for big things to come. Neuro dr told me after lumbar surgery that he was pleased with the job. He also mentioned to husband about a lateral minimum invasive surgery if necessary!!! Not ready to even think about that yet. I have spent some time on the myelopathy support group board and it has better helped me to understand this disease I have. I return for MRI, etc Jan 19 in Houston. Hoping for good report.

Hoping all of you are doing well with whatever ails you...it is Xmas time and everyone needs to be merry merry! Thanks for keeping up with me! D’anne
Posted 12/16/2018 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
D'anne, somehow I missed your post. You should be commended for your good outlook on your healing process. I am sure you do have your times when you feel on the down side of things. I think that is completely normal. Anyone going into surgery needs to have their head on right about the surgery. I had a surgeon tell me one time, that he had a few patients that told him that they would never be right after surgery no matter what the outcome. He said that mind set really makes it hard for the surgeon & the patient because they have convinced their self it will be bad. I understand what he meant.

Time is your best friend from what your dr is saying. If you can see some improvement that is your encouragement that you are on the right path. I am glad that you have found a support board for your condition. Getting to read & post with people that are in your situation does go a long way. When I first joined HW, I posted in the crohns forum. I had been dx'd 2 years prior, had a resection & was in pretty bad shape. My gi suggested that I find a good reputable site & get support & learn about the disease. I read over there for several months before getting the courage to post. I learned so much from those seasoned members believe me.

Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Sending you healing thoughts & prayers.
Posted 12/18/2018 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
ScorpioGirl:
I second Straydog and her commendation on the positive attitude you continue to nurture as you heal and recover from both a cervical surgery and a lumbar surgery.

You have been through a lot. Some people might curl up in a ball. Not you. You get up out of bed and greet each day with a personal mindset that says “I will do to the best that I can to make the best of this day.”

That’s the best that any of us can do.

I think the arc of recovery and healing is most often undulating - a series of ups and downs, a few steps forward and then two steps backward. But overall, gains are realized. There is bettering. Small wins can be accumulated. I am glad that you are experiencing some small wins. And send you best wishes for continued small wins.

It is not easy to keep one’s thinking, thoughts, and emotions bright when the physical body is unwell or in the midst of healing/repair. Healing and repair can be a longer process than initially expected. You are facing this post-op time with grace and dignity and resolve. You are showing us all how it can be done.

Kudos to you. You have my respect. Hands-down.
Karen
Posted 3/22/2019 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Scorpio-girl, its been nearly three months since you have checked in. I am hoping your recovery from surgery is progressing well. Please check in with us when you have time.
Posted 3/22/2019 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Scorpio-girl...I had a 4 level ACDF in July and have a 4 level spinal stenosis laminotomy/decompression set for Monday. Can you post some current status on how you are doing and any advice going in for the lumbar surgery? I am nervous of course and since your situation is similar I would love to hear how you are progressing. Well, I hope!

PS-Scorpio girl here as well, lol.
Posted 3/26/2019 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I am still progressing, slowly but surely. I have very little nerve pain and the January X-ray showed there was no more compression at the moment. There are still a couple of neck issues but for now nerves continue to heal. I have done physical therapy which helped me with recovering and building strength. My main problem remains foot drop which is persisting. It appears now that I have developed an autoimmune prob called CIDP...a rare disease affecting extremities mainly (therefore causing the dragging foot and the lack of strength in my grasp. The disease is similar to MS but it affects peripheral nerves. CIDP stands for chronic inflammatory demylinating polyneuropathy. It is the pits. But treatment for me is infusions of gamma globulin..every 3 weeks. This treatment is to help my symptoms which are similar to myelopathy symptoms and that has been confusing. So more patience required on my part🤦🏻‍♀️. Thank you all for asking and I hope all of you are doing well. Darla, good luck to you for a successful lumbar surgery. My advice would be to start moving as soon as possible. Keep in touch☺️
Posted 3/26/2019 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scorpio Girl! I am so sorry you have that disease to contend with. Sometimes there is a bit of relief having a name for what is causing the troubles even when it is not great. I am sorry you are going through this. It does sound like you are making some good progress. It is not easy.

I had my 4 level lumbar decompression surgery yesterday and just got home from the hospital. I will take your advice on moving! It is my nature to move a lot, so hopefully I will.

Feel better and please stay in touch.
Posted 4/3/2019 7:35 PM (GMT 0)

Darla said...
Scorpio-girl...I had a 4 level ACDF in July and have a 4 level spinal stenosis laminotomy/decompression set for Monday. Can you post some current status on how you are doing and any advice going in for the lumbar surgery? I am nervous of course and since your situation is similar I would love to hear how you are progressing. Well, I hope!

PS-Scorpio girl here as well, lol.[/quot
I am curious about current time in surgery, recovery time and outcome results from surgeries I have had a few like others here I was young when I had my first back surgery, it was because of Stenosis and punched nerve,and damaged disc the first part was the bilateral decompression then on to the discerning at L4 and down then after my recovery rehab physical therapy I went to another therapy to help me decide my capabilities. 3 years and 5 months later I was going down a Side street on my way to the Bicycle Club on my Harley I was headed South bound on a wide 2 lane residential street it had a center turn lane, I was doing 30mph as the street curved around it got wider and right before the curves end this lady was headed northbound on my southbound lane so she could turn left, I passed that street by 30 ft and we hit head on my bike went up, over the 280Z I hit the front end and bounced off she ran over me.
I came too under the car the control arm bushing pin broke my eye orbit whe r my eyebrow was pushing it down,I had to lift it up to pull myself out from under it a lady was watering her front yard and just stared at me no helmet July 3rd 1990. I reached for my wallet, and my whole hand went inside of my right butt cheek most of my ribs on that side broke I couldn't breathe after pulling my hand out of my butt cheek managed to find my wallet, people were screaming Don t touch your head well in shock being told not too, you tend to do it after touching my head and looking at my hand it had flesh and fat tissue lots of blood,lumps I passed out waking up a few times in the Ambulance wearing some kind of pressure suit each time they hit me with the defibrillator the suit had to be reinflatted,I was told it was to keep me from hemorrhaging out after being in a coma multiple surgeries I eventually was able to work but it's taken a toll I some how got blood that was contaminated with Hepatitis C it professed to Cirrhosis Stage 4 my gut pain my back and my knees so my ortho says they need to be replaced but I'm concerned with the out come I suffer from all these injuries Arthritis Fibromyalgia my back I have been on pain killers for years some work others don't now the talk of surgery, recovery I'm beginning to feel like it's not worth it I'm trying for a Clinical trial but was told awhile back labs then MRI & ULTRA Sound confirmed tumors when do you finally say Enough is Enough. I know there's a lot here but it's covering a lot of different Pain Hep C Fibromyalgia Arthritis any words of comments would be Great if Ideas on ????

Posted 4/3/2019 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
You've been through a lot! I'd love to reply but I'm not sure what you are asking... are you asking about knee replacement? Please clarify so I can answer better.
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