Failed Laminectomy And Removal Of A Synovial Cyst?
Jun 2, 2016
Hello,
I'm new on this board. On October 1st 2015 I had decompression surgery (L2-L4), a laminectomy and removal of a synovial cyst that was very high up on the spine (L2)- it was compressing the cauda equina in a bad way. Since then I have had a lot of nerve pain in my groin (both sides), hamstrings, plus sciatica down my right leg from the hip to the toes (according to the neurosurgeon, this is a 'small hernia' due to stenosis and a trapped nerve on S1/L5/L4 that he will operate on when the pain gets too much for me). Not sure if the sciatica is related to the cauda equina syndrome, but imo the cause of both is spinal stenosis. The nerve pain got less throughout the months (except for the sciatica) but the last weeks it's returning again more, on both sides. I had an MRI done two months ago for the sciatic pain and the doctor saw 'something' on the L2 facet joint that could be a new synovial cyst, or else it's scar tissue, he wasn't sure. My gut feeling is that the cyst is growing back and pressing on the cauda equina again- or could it be that i'm still recovering from the first surgery (now 6 months ago)? I sure hope it's the latter, as it was a big operation and the surgeon said that fusion may be next, as the facet joints move too much and in this way the liquid will keep forming new cysts. Ugh. Mid August I will have a new MRI to see whether the synovial cyst is back or not.
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i am having a posterior lumbar 4-5 laminectomy with synovial cyst removal on August 27,2015. I have a 5 day trip to Germany planned 6 &1/2 weeks later.
I now know the recovery to be longer than the one week I had thought. I know it is at least 6 weeks, after my pre surgery intake with the wonderful nurse I have. Does anyone have feedback about a 8 hour plane ride to Europe with only 6 weeks recovery time? Thanks
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I am a 65 year old female soon to have a L4/L5 Laminectomy with resection of Synovial Cyst (L4/L5) I need more information about the surgery, and what to expect as far as recovery time, etc.
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In January 2013 I started having left leg pains and started taking ibuprofens or store brand pain killers. Over the last 3 months the pain has become chronic, numbness in my big toe and foot, tingling, and pain in my buttock. This is only happening in my left leg. To make a LONG story short. The MRI showed a cyst pressing against my spine causing the pain. Initially my chiropractor thought is was a disc issue causing my sciatic nerve issues. My neurologist suggested a laminectomy Surgery however his concern was if I need fusion. I had an x-ray done that indicated there is some slipping. The neurologist gave me his best guestimation of how long that area of my back would last without the fusion. If he could have given me a high % that the fusion is necessary I would be at peace with it. Decisions, decisions. I was told the recovery is about 4 -6 weeks and longer with the fusion Do you have any knowledge on either procedure?
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I'm scheduled for surgery next month to remove a synovial cyst in my lower spine. The pain is present only when standing and walking for long periods, but debilitating when it occurs. I've read so much on this site, I thought I would get some of your views.
My neurosurgeon plans to do a laminectomy to reach the cyst which he says is quite large. We debated about whether a fusion is necessary to prevent the cyst from recurring. There is a difference of opinion among surgeons. Two that I've had review my X-rays say I have some degeneration in the disk and should have a fusion. A third says to take the risk and avoid the fusion. Eventually my surgeon convinced me I should have this done in order to return to an active life vs sitting on the couch. He does minimally invasive surgery and does not use a cage or pedicle (sp?) screws as he believes they put too much stress on other disks. Instead he showed me a very simple clamp he has used successfully. Has anyone heard of this - alternative?
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I am ten days post cyst surgery, no fusion, just cyst removal. I have some numbness still in my foot. Is that normal?
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Impression: Moderate L4/5 disc bulge and a left medial synovial cyst. Significantly compressing the left thecal sac and contributing to moderate central canal and left greater than right lateral stenosis.
I have had progressively worsening low back pain and upper leg and butt pain.
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I had a laminectomy with removal of a synovial cyst exactly 17 days now and feel wonderful. Last weeks follow up visit actually was an eye opener because i found out I was doing too much, like bending for example, and I am really suppose to take it easy so the scar tissue can form a strong bond.
My cyst was large and sitting on the nerve root. As soon as it was removed the compressed nerve popped right back up, all good news.
I am wondering how soon before i can start doing other things besides resting and walking. I understand the golf is not happening for at least another 6 weeks and that's ok, but can I swim or when can i ride a bike?
I have basically no pain aside from a little muscle spasms.
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I have sever back pain and haven't been able to work since August. I am unable to stand, sit or walk for long periods of time. It hurts to sneeze, cough, bend or pick anything up. The pain is constant, stabbing at times and it feels like I have a rock in my spine. They have done facet and epidural injections. I take an anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxer and Norco (3 times a day). They tried to put me on Neurontin but it made me too sick. I have had every test done imaginable and basically what I have is degenerative disk disease with mild broad-base bulge. Bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Indentation of the thecal sac in L4-L5. L5-S1 bilateral arthropathy. L3-L4 bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and a left nerve sleeve cyst (synovial cyst).
My surgeon wants to do a foraminotomy because I have radiculopathy on L4-L5 and then do a spinal cord stimulator for the pain. He isn't worried about the cyst...said it isn't the reason for my sever back pain. From what I have been reading, all of my symptoms sound like its the cyst causing at least some of the pain. Am I wrong to second guess his opinion? I just don't want to have these surgeries done and then later down the road turn around and have to have the cyst removed.
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I was diagnosed as having a synovial cyst by a neuropsychiatrist. I had a procedure where he went in and drained the cyst along with that I had a steroid injection. Apparently he did not get much out of the cyst. The pathology report came back negative on what he did manage to get out.
On day two post procedure the pain starting coming back. Each day the pain level increased to where I am now a level 8 and sometime 9 and can barely stand the pain. My lower right back just above the buttock feels like there is pressure and is very achy. The deep achy pain goes into my right buttock and wraps around the lower groin area. The achy pain goes down my right leg and into my foot. It is a pulsating deep ache and I can hardly stand it. It also feels numb at times and I get pins and needle tingling. When I get up from laying down or sometimes sitting (when I can sit) I get this sharp excruciating pain in my right groin that doubles me over. I have to stay still in the doubled over position to let it subside before I can straighten up and walk. Sometimes the groin pain just hits me out of nowhere when I am standing.
On my follow up visit with my physiatrist he recommended I have a consult with a neuro spine surgeon. My appointment with the surgeon is in a couple of days. I feel very fortunate to get into see this surgeon who is very hard to get in to see. He is rated as "one of the best" in a very large healthcare system where I work.
I am taking 1500mg of gabapentin along with 6 ibuprofen a day. I am also taking hydrocodone. I fight the pain and only take on the average one pain pill a day because I don't like the groggy feeling.
My question is, has anyone else with a synovial cyst had all of these symptoms? Is the groin pain related to the compression on the nerve from the cyst. I appreciate any feedback and would love to hear from someone who has had these symptoms.
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I have been very ill and in a lot of pain since August, going backwards and forwards to my doctors, even got admitted to hospital in August with suspected appendicitis but got sent home.
However last weekend I got rushed into hospital with awful sharp pains in my right side of pelvis and ended up having a laparoscopy where they found a cyst that had ruptured and leaked fluid all around my ovary so they had to cut me lower down to clean it all out and remove the sack! I was in hospital for 2 nights being sick and in pain.
I came home last Tuesday night and have had horrific shoulder pain from the gas and I can't manage to walk more than a couple of mins without getting shooting pains where I've been cut and being exhausted after.
I've been signed off work for 2 weeks, I'm a nursery nurse so a lot of lifting, sitting on the floor and getting up and down is involved! I'm worried I won't be better by next week and will need more time off, how long was you off work for with this or similar procedure? Any tips to speed up my recovery?
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Just wondering what to expect after op.....and is it normal to be getting bigger..... Now look 6 months pregnant ......when diagnosed in April just looked likes had a muffin top...not in mega pain, but very uncomfortable, can't eat much large meals......feeling sick these last couple of days....am post menapausal so am wondering what will happen as having ovaries removed as well and doc said it will cause menopause so should go on hrt......confused.
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I am going in tomorrow to have my cyst and fibroid removed.could anyone tell me what happens once you get there.i have to go for 11 am an have been told I should go down by 2pm.
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1. You will feel tired, bloated and in pain after the operation. I felt very nauseous for a few days and unable to eat. This is normal and is the effect of the anaesthetic used during the operation combined with strong painkillers. It will pass after a few days, try to sip water frequently to flush out the toxins.
2. The nursing staff are very helpful and concerned with your wellbeing. If you don't feel ready to go home, say so, you know your body better than anyone. I stayed in for 7 days in the end as I was in a lot of pain and had severe swelling. Don't be afraid to ask!
3 The nursing staff will remove the dressings after 3 days and if like me you have ster-strips underneath these will come off on day 5 or 6. When I removed mine the wound bled a little, but it was nothing serious and the nurse put a temporary bandage on for 2 days until it stopped. You will be shocked at the size of the wound. Mine reached from my pubic bone to above my belly button. It does start to look better after a few weeks and once healed, I will be using lots of bio oil to help it fade.
4. You will have trouble having a bowel movement. Constipation is normal following a major operation, a combination of painkillers and lack of movement. Drink plenty of fluids combined with a healthy diet (lots of fruit & vegetables). Try to move around as much as possible. Go for short walks once you feel stronger at least once a day. If like me you still haven't been after several days you could try LAXIDO and or LACTULOSE, both effective at clearing any blockage. It worked for me
5. Take the painkillers they give you, they will help. Try to take them at the start of the pain, not when it has you in its grip (not so effective). Only stop them when you feel you can cope without them, don't try and be brave.
6. If you have had your ovaries removed you will suddenly go into the menopause. I am having terrible night sweats now, which keep waking me up I bought a summer quilt 4.5 tog and am using a fan, to keep cool, it helps. I am trying to cope without HRT due to a family history of female cancer and will be trying natural herbal supplements instead. Hope they help
7. Lets be honest it will hurt and I am only starting to feel better after 3 weeks. I expect to be off work for at least another month, as my job is quite physical, and my muscles/wound are far from healed, but every day I feel stronger and I am off the painkillers now. I go for a short walk every day and potter around the house. My wound is healing nicely (its not pretty) but at least my alien is gone!
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I am going for surgery on a large cyst. I am expecting a baby so I am anxious about having to have surgery during this time. Has anyone been through similar and were ok and the baby was ok?
Also what were your experiences of the surgery pain relief and stitches etc?? Did it take you long to recover. Also if anyone has had this surgery pregnant or not I would love to hear from you but if you were what stage of pregnancy did you have surgery?
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I am just past the 7 week status of my Laminectomy, and am still uncomfortable. K can walk around my house all right,but as soon as I went out to walk down my street ,I can't walk it hurts.I do have an appointment with a hip specialist in a few weeks, but the pain in my groin area is non stop and I am wondering if.
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I had L4/L5 microdiscectomy and laminectomy about 4 months ago. I had on and off low back pain for 6-7 years but it became unbearable couple of years back. Prior to surgery I had buttock pain and I couldn't walk or stand without pain. I am recovering pretty slowly. I am off pain meds and I walk 45 mins a day and do gentle back stretches as advised by the surgeon. The surgeon said that I had a big herniation and he removed about 60-70% of the disc. Is it common to have that much removed?. Will I be able to recover fully or will i need more surgery like fusion in the future. I am just 27 yrs old and I don't want to live in pain.
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I had a simple 13cm cyst removed from my broad ligament (next to ovary) at the end of June. It had been causing me issues for at least 6 months, including sharp pains, which I thought were linked to the digestive system at first. I had a laparoscopy and feel much better in myself.
The week before surgery, I began to noticeably lose hair from my head. It's now been coming out for nearly 8 weeks. Luckily I had a lot of hair to start with but I've now had to have it cut shorter as looked awful and I must have lost half my hair or more. :o( I've had blood tests and everything seems fine, so Dr thinks it must have been the stress that the cyst was putting on my body, esp with sharp pains etc. I have found this link to PCOS but not large cysts and wondered if anyone else had suffered in the same way and if so, how long the hair loss continued?
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After being diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis in 1992 and undergoing several other treatment options that were not successful, I had back surgery, a laminectomy w/bone fusion. I then developed urinary incontinence, which is still a problem for me. and also lost my mobility. I am now spending most of the time in a wheelchair, although I am able to use a walker for very limited distance walking. I still suffer from back pain but do get some relief from a prescription pain med. I just wondered if anyone else had developed urinary incontinence after having back surgery?
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Back in 2012 after 2 years of severe sciatica that was treated with painkillers, I finally got an MRI which showed disc herniation at L5/S1, I had a microdiscectomy & the surgeon said it was a difficult procedure as the disc had calcified. I did however have some relief & a huge reduction in pain.
After about a year the pain had increased to the point my mobility was affected & I was referred back to my neuro, he carried out MRI & another micro discectomy & unfortunately this actually left me immediately in more pain.
So I had another MRI which showed again more herniated disc trapping my nerves, this was only 6 weeks after my 2nd op, my surgeon said he could do no more for me but he then referred me onto a colleague for a TLIF fusion of L5/S1.
Which was done, but again no significant improvements so after 12 weeks my neuro sent me for more MRI & CT scans, this showed halo's around my fusion screws, crowding at L5/s1 & a post op collection around the incision site, he prescribed 6 weeks antibiotic course & re-did the scans.
There was no change to the collection & he then decided he would need to operate again in case of infection.
When he operated he found no infection inside but there was 'bugs' in the fluid collection in my back.
He said the fluid was seroma & he was confused as seroma fluid never has bugs in it?
Whilst he was in my back he did yet another discectomy & laminectomy, he said he did not check the fusion itself as it meant disturbing scar tissue.
At this point he said nothing more can be done for me.
This is heartbreaking to me, I'm 39 yrs old, I have a physical job as an electrician & I don't want to be sat about or lose my job.
My pain is still extreme in my right leg & hip, my buttock still feel numb & my calf feels tight & achy.
My last op was only a week ago but after 4 surgeries on one small place, I still feel in excruciating pain & it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, my back around the incision site is still swollen like it was before this surgery & I'm worried the fluid is coming back, the build up of that fluid had caused problems on my left side & had not got any smaller in the 5 months between the surgeries.
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I am a 50 year old female who had lumbar laminectomy at L3/4 eight weeks ago for lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The surgeon also performed a dynamic stabilisation at this level. As I understand it, this involves the insertion of a flexible and rod and screws, similar to fusion but allowing more flexion at this level while at the same time preventing the vertebra from slipping. Prior to surgery, I was unable to walk or stand for more than 5 - 10 minutes without becoming uncomfortable because of weakness in my legs and a tight cramping sensation in my buttocks. Surgery has relieved me of these symptoms, but I now have aching in my lower back, groins and hips when standing or walking for more than 5 - 10 minutes. I wasn't given any physio follow-up after discharge from hospital, but have had a couple of sessions with a private physiotherapist. She seems to think that these pains are due to the ligaments and muscles having to stretch as my spine as been realigned and my pelvis is now tilted forwards instead of backwards as it was before. Has anyone else experienced similar pains and if so, how long did it take for them to resolve? I am also very stiff first thing in the morning and when getting up from a sitting position. I do not have any pain when sitting or lying down.
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