Laminectomy And Synovial Cyst - Reviews Or Feedback?
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?
View 14 RepliesFailed Laminectomy And Removal Of A Synovial Cyst?
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.
Recovery Time? Lumbar 4-5 Laminectomy With Synovial Cyst Removal
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
Bowel Resection With Giant Cyst - Cancer?
Again, haven't been on in ages. Seems I always have an issue, though, every year or so.
This time a large "cyst" was found when I went to the ER for severe "gas" pain back Labor-Day weekend, with CAT scan.
Now I have a young surgeon who has looked at that and blood tests (CgA - high) and MRI and says I need to have all my right colon removed along with the cyst. Just in case it's cancer, basically.
Anyone have a huge cyst outside their bowels and have this kind of surgery? I am scared of cancer, but even if I don't have that I'm scared of what the complications might be from the surgery itself and removing 1/3 of my colon. I'm 44, have a very young son, and a mother already bereaved from losing my sister last year to breast cancer. I start worrying about sepsis, MRSA and "leakage" (poor surgical connections) and blockage. Is it silly to worry about all this?
What bugs me is that the surgeon seems very concerned about cancer, although the 1 marker - CgA - that was high could be high because of my 7-year usage of double Nexium. I also had a "beautiful" colonoscopy the month before the ER visit.
MRI: L4-L5 Bulge, Left Medial Synovial Cyst
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.
Synovial Osteochondromatosis - My Experience
About 15 months ago I started noticing a strange feeling in my right leg. I could not cross my right foot onto my left knee one day without a strain. A couple of months later I noticed that I was constantly flexing my quad muscles. Shortly after that, my knee would be slightly swollen and not look or feel right after normal daily activities.
This went on for several months with relatively no change and no pain. In time I developed a small limp, but was still not experiencing any pain. Just a limp with some motion limitations.
I finally went to a doctor and was told I strained my IT Band and to stretch and to walk regularly to help it to heal. This was not my issue and neither walking nor stretching helped or worsened the condition (that I know of).
About 5 months ago my limp was very noticeable and I could not even jog. But still no pain. Just limited motion. Although if I forced myself to run, it was painful, but I did not experience any pain day to day.
I went to an orthopedist and had an MRI done and was then diagnosed with synovial osteochondromatosis in the hip. It seemed very strange because any discomfort I was experiencing was in the knee. But the doctor explained it was referred pain for the issue in my hip.
The plan was set to get surgery, but due to family and work obligations I put it off for 5 months. During that time my condition rapidly accelerated. After a month I began experiencing pain in my knee daily. After a couple of months the pain became much worse and I was constantly having using ice and IBU to manage it. In time I could no longer walk without a cane. In the last weeks leading up to my surgery I could no longer use a cane and was only waking when absolutely necessary and only with crutches. I had to take the last 3 week off of work from my desk job because sitting was unbearable.
I have never experienced this type of pain before. I could not sit, stand, walk or even lie down without terrible pain or at best being very uncomfortable. I didn't sleep more than an hour at a time in the last month.
3 days ago I finally got the surgery. They removed hundreds of loose bodies from my hip, some fairly large. I'm not sure on the count or size just yet but will learn that at my next appointment.
Obviously it is too early to really know how successful the surgery was. But I do feel a great deal better on day 3 after the surgery than I did going into the surgery. I actually have less pain today and more movement than I did the day before the procedure! I can bend my knee straight out to about a 60 degree angle. Before surgery I could barley make it up a step and was in serious pain with each stair.
I don't want to get ahead of myself and say that I have been fixed. There is still a lot of motions that I cannot do and I am still very sore from the surgery. Right now it is hard to tell if the limited motion and soreness I am experiencing is from the surgery or not. The doctors say that because things had gotten so bad, I will likely be in physical therapy for up to one year retraining the muscles to function properly again. They also said that there didn't seem to be much damage done to the joint and it does not look like I will need a hip replacement because of it.
First Rib Resection For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Experience / Recovery?
Has anyone had this surgery and had a good recovery? If so how long did it take, do you feel normal, and are you restricted at all?
View 14 RepliesLumbar Synovial Cyst Removed - Recovery Time?
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.
Lumbar Synovial Cyst Causing My Back Pain?
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.
Lumbar Synovial Cyst Removal - Clamp Vs Fusion?
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?
Spinal Cord :: Synovial Cyst Is Groin Pain - Symptoms?
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.
Back Issues :: Synovial Cyst Removal 10 Days Post Op - Numbness In Foot?
I am ten days post cyst surgery, no fusion, just cyst removal. I have some numbness still in my foot. Is that normal?
View 1 RepliesMy Experience Of Chronic Bartholin's Abscess And Cyst
After roughly 5 years of experience with these beasts I opted to have my gland removed. I feel as though I've been through hell and back and almost feel a sense of obligation to share my story to those who may be going through the same thing. I know I wanted to know everything about them, so the least I can do is contribute my knowledge of the topic.
*I am NOT a medical professional and I am not dishing out medical advice, just sharing an experience*
I got my first abscess towards the end of my senior year of college. I'm now 27. I had the abscess drained by OB and it did not reappear until several years later. And guess when it decided to return? My honeymoon. My honeymoon was completely ruined. We were in the Dominican Republic and I noticed it starting to swell up the morning after we arrived. By that afternoon I was already starting to feel sluggish and almost like I had the flu. By the third day I was in bed with a 102 degree fever. I was too embarrassed and nervous to see an actual doctor in the Dominican so we went to the resort clinic and I faked a sinus infection knowing they would give me antibiotics. The antibiotics did not help (cephalexin) and I still had several days until I could get a flight back to the states. I writhed in pain for days, I didn't sleep for 3 days straight. I made a half-assed attempt at popping it WITH A NEEDLE. That is what desperation will do to you! The pain was so bad I had to stop and LAY DOWN IN THE AIRPORT when we were trying to get home. Do you know how disgusting and humiliating it is to lay down on the ground in an airport? I refused to get help until we got home. There is just something about getting cut open by someone you don't know in an unfamiliar place that is just unsettling...I cried for the entire day during the course of our 2 flights home. My husband rushed me to the ER as soon as we landed. The doctor lanced the abscess and gave me a word catheter. I felt amazing afterwards. It hurt to sit, but I could work from home and within a week I was back to normal. Story should end there with a happy ending, right?
Wrong.
Fast forward to a few months later and it's back. I tried the sitz baths, but it did not change. When it got big enough and I started to feel that awful flu-ish feeling, I saw my OBGYN who once again lanced it and inserted a catheter. Went home, did my sitz baths, back to normal in a week...
Fast forward another two months and I feel another one coming on. Once again, I got the catheter. Except this time my OB stated she made a larger incision than before. It hurt extremely bad this time. I cried at the pharmacy waiting for my pain meds and cephalexin. I almost couldn't make the drive home. That night, I got chills and noticed I was bleeding way more than normal. I also developed another high fever. By that time I was a veteran with the word catheter so I knew something was wrong. Me and my husband called local hospitals trying to figure out how to classify "too much blood loss". I toughed it out and tried to sleep through the night. I was sure it was infected and that it was bleeding too much. 3 days of bleeding with chills and fever, puss burst through the catheter, almost as if it had re-burst again after it was lanced. It was a horrible, horrible experience.
Later that winter it came back once again...like clockwork, I swear. This time I had a marsupilaization. The procedure seemed almost TOO good to be true. I felt way better afterwards than when I had the catheters. We even went out to eat that night! This blissful feeling lasted for 3 whole months! I know it seems odd, but when my husband and I were intimate after the incision healed and the stitches dissolved, it was better than it was before this whole mess started!
Too good to be true, you say? You are correct.
Here we are...summertime, a little over a year after my honeymoon disaster. On a holiday weekend I felt it coming back. I went and saw my OB and she said she would lance and insert a catheter. At that point, I finally took control of what I thought should be done and declined the catheter. I requested a lancing instead because at that point - I already know it will come back, so why go through the extra pain of the catheter? She lances it, it got infected (despite the antibiotics) and re-burst again a few days later. Same fever, same pain, no sleeping, etc. I cried once again, but this time not just because it hurt, but because I felt broken. I felt like it had officially taken over my life.
Before I left my OB's office the day I got it lanced again, we talked about a more permanent solution. I mentioned removing the gland entirely (because like you people, I troll the internet looking for all possible solutions to this thing) and she shrugged her shoulders and gave me an uneasy look suggesting that removing the gland was not something she would advise.
The fact that she wouldn't even hear it out made me feel a bit less comfortable with her even though she had been my OB for 14 years! I once again took to google and searched for the BEST gynecological surgeon in my area. I settled on one and set an appointment for a second opinion. My visit with her was borderline inspiring. She was so confident, she explained that I was considered an ideal candidate for the surgery and even went so far as to draw pictures of the actual procedure for me. It sounds weird, I know, but it helped. She sent me on my way and said to call back when I was ready. I called back two months later when I just barely felt another abscess coming on and she put me on the surgery calendar. I met with her the night before and even sat down with the anesthesiologist to get a very clear picture of how everything the next day would run. The surgery went great. I'm 3 weeks post-op and feeling really well. There is still a little pain, but definitely no bleeding. I'm used to healing really quickly so I keep expecting it to not hurt at all, but that is just unrealistic considering a gland was removed from my body.
I'm not going to tell anyone on here to go out and do the surgery. It is up to you.
Below is what did not work for me.
Sitz baths
Tea tree oil
Epsom salts
Silicia
Serrapeptase
Probiotics (these are good for you anyway)
Drawing salves
Massaging the area
Steam/warm compresses
Ice packs
Antibiotics
Calamine lotion
The Bartholin Cyst Miracle e-book
Here is a little procedure cheat-sheet for those who may be unfamiliar:
Lancing - the area is numbed with a topical anesthetic, again with local anesthetic and a small incision is made into the abscess/cyst to allow the built up puss to drain. **soooo gross**
Word Catheter - incision is made similar to the above, except a small tube with a balloon on the end is inserted into the hole. This allows the hole to remain open and encourages the cyst to continue to drain. My first doctor said the catheter should stay in place for a few days. The internet told me 4 weeks. My second doctor that performed my excision also said it should have stayed in for at least a few weeks.
Marsupialization - incision is made per the above and instead stitched open to allow the hole to remain open. From what I've heard, this has been a permanent solution for some! Not for me, but I definitely preferred it over the catheter.
Gland Excision - exactly that. The entire gland is removed. Recovery time is around 6 weeks, pain is mild, I was also warned that disfigurement is a possibility, but that was not the case for me. Yes, I've looked at it.
It may be too early to tell if my surgery has a good prognosis, however, my doctor did say she was able to remove almost all of the gland. It is important to know that the gland is so small and the area is so vascular, that it can sometimes be difficult for the surgeon to remove the entire mechanism. Understanding how much was removed will help you better figure out your chance for recurrence.
Well friends, I wish everyone on here the best of luck with this awful condition. It blows my mind that this disorder doesn't get a whole lot of attention considering how life altering it really can be. I leave you with just a few of my mantras for battling this crap: you are not alone, you are not broken, and you are not crazy. Do your research, don't be afraid to get second opinions and do what you feel is best for your body and your well being.
Tips / Experience After A Laparotomy Ovarian Cyst Removal
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!
Ovarian Cyst :: 2 Weeks Post Vertical Laparotomy Experience
Tomorrow I will be two weeks post op so thought it's about time I check in to see how everyone is a to leg you all know that my surgery went really well.
my cyst was approx 35cm, weighing 10lbs! I had that and my right ovary removed via a vertical laparotomy. Thankfully the surgeon was able to keep my incision below my belly button, although it is large at 7" which required 23 staples.
Over all I am happy how it went and how my recovery is going.
Tracheal Resection Due To Stenosis
I have Tracheal Stenosis (narrowing of the windpipe) and I'm hoping to get an operation called a resection wherein the narrowed section of windpipe is removed and then rejoined again....
View 2 RepliesColon Resection Due To The Diverticulosis
I'm just 2 weeks into recovering from a colon resection due to the diverticulosis I had and last night I was getting that horrible pain on my lower left side as if I was having a diverticulitis attack !
View 1 RepliesOvarian Cyst :: Open Surgery For Large Cyst While Pregnant
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?
Pancreatitis :: Pancreatic Resection Supplements?
I received a pancreatic resection of my tail in May of last year and have just been diagnosed with a 10 mm cyst in the head. I'm told all that can be done is manage pain/rest and food. Energy is lacking. Has anyone had any luck with B12 shots?