Our Summary

This study looked at why some people still feel numbness in their legs after having surgery to fix a herniated disc in their lower back. The researchers studied patients who had this surgery between September 2016 to December 2020. They looked at different factors like the patients’ age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, if they had diabetes, if they had to have the surgery again, how much pain or numbness they felt before surgery, how long they felt this numbness before surgery, and if they still felt numbness when they left the hospital.

They found that a third of the patients still had leg numbness when they did their last check-up. The factors that seemed to affect whether someone would still feel numbness were how much pain or numbness they felt before surgery, how long they felt this numbness before surgery, if they still felt numbness when they left the hospital, if they had to have the surgery again, and how much they could move their back.

So, people who felt more pain or numbness before surgery, who had these feelings for a long time before surgery, who still felt numbness when they left the hospital, who had to have the surgery again, and who could move their back a lot were more likely to still feel numbness in their legs after the surgery. This study can help doctors better predict who might still feel numbness after this kind of surgery.

FAQs

  1. What factors were found to influence whether a patient would still feel numbness after microdiscectomy?
  2. Does the level of pain or numbness felt before surgery impact the likelihood of numbness after surgery?
  3. What percentage of patients still experienced leg numbness at their last check-up post-surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about microdiscectomy is to be aware that it is possible to still experience numbness in the legs after the surgery. Factors such as the level of pain or numbness experienced before surgery, the duration of these symptoms, the presence of numbness post-surgery, the need for a repeat surgery, and the range of motion in the back can all contribute to the likelihood of still feeling numbness. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations and to communicate any ongoing symptoms to their healthcare provider for proper management.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended microdiscectomy are those who have a herniated disc in their lower back that is causing symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, or weakness. These patients may have tried conservative treatments such as physical therapy or pain medications without success. Additionally, patients who have a herniated disc that is causing severe symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life or ability to perform daily activities may also be recommended for microdiscectomy.

Timeline

Before microdiscectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as back pain, leg pain, numbness, or weakness due to a herniated disc in the lower back.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as MRI or CT scan to confirm the herniated disc.
  3. Patient consults with a surgeon to discuss the option of microdiscectomy as a treatment for their condition.
  4. Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and preparations for the surgery.

After microdiscectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes the microdiscectomy surgery to remove the herniated disc material pressing on the nerve.
  2. Patient is monitored in the hospital for a period of time after the surgery.
  3. Patient may experience some pain and discomfort at the surgical site post-operatively.
  4. Patient undergoes physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility in the affected area.
  5. Patient gradually resumes normal activities and work, following the guidance of their healthcare provider.
  6. Patient follows up with their surgeon for post-operative appointments to monitor their recovery progress and address any concerns or complications.
  7. Some patients may still experience residual symptoms such as numbness in the legs, which may improve over time with continued rehabilitation and follow-up care.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with microdiscectomy surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of microdiscectomy in terms of relieving leg pain and numbness?
  3. How long is the recovery period after microdiscectomy surgery?
  4. What kind of physical therapy or rehabilitation will be necessary after the surgery?
  5. Are there any specific factors or conditions that may increase the likelihood of experiencing persistent numbness after surgery?
  6. What can be done to manage or alleviate numbness if it persists after the surgery?
  7. Will further treatment or follow-up be necessary if numbness continues to be a problem?
  8. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvement in my symptoms, including numbness?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take to prevent further disc herniation and potential numbness in the future?
  10. What is the long-term outlook for someone who continues to experience numbness after microdiscectomy surgery?

Reference

Authors: Shi L, Ji X, Tian F, Shi Y, Lou P. Journal: Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 27;102(43):e35733. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035733. PMID: 37904414