I’m scheduled for surgery in the morning with Dr. C., my neurosurgeon. It’s been a hard decision but I’m ready to move onto the next phase of healing and rehab instead of hanging out in limbo.
I had an EMG test on Monday that helped me feel a little more assurance about my plan for surgery. It zaps your muscles with a little electricity to measure nerve function. It’s not a very sensitive test, which means it can miss problems. If it had shown no problem in my legs, I would have felt more unsure about surgery.
My physiatrist wanted to cancel the test since I was already booked for surgery. But I wanted to have it for my peace of mind.
But– not sure if luckily is the right word– it did show ongoing nerve damage in some of the muscles innervated by L5. When the nerves are injured or dying they send pulses of electricity even when the muscle is at rest, and you can hear the static on the test. So the weakness I’m experiencing is for sure not from pain or disuse, but from nerve injury.
My sports medicine doctor really wanted to see the EMG results too. I faxed the report to him and he said he thinks I’m on the right track with surgery.
So for now all I have to do is show up tomorrow. Being a patient is easy that way, a very passive activity, not like skating in a competition or like being, say, an actual brain surgeon.
Related Posts:
Mending my Back: Injections, Pros and Cons of Surgery Looking into the pros and cons of decompressive surgery for a herniated disc while waiting to see how it recovers on its own.
L5 Weakness: Waiting to see improvement Recovering from L4/L5 and L5/S1 surgery and hoping for improvement of my weak leg.- Disc Extrusion: A Neurosurgeon's Advice Visit with a neurosurgeon for my disc extrusion that's causing weakness in my left leg.
- Still in Limbo Two different opinions on what I should do about my extruded disc that's causing weakness in my leg and foot.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you were able to make a decision, Mary. Sending you healing thoughts for a speedy recovery!
Eva recently posted..My Thanksgiving Hero
Thanks, Eva!
Saying prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery, Mary. It must feel good to have made a decision and be moving forward. Hugs!
Melissa
It does, I like having a path forward. Hugs back!
I’ll be thinking of you Mary and praying the surgery is an overwhelming success. Wishing you a speedy and pain-free recovery. xoxo
Marcia recently posted..Shed Light on Health with EverlyWell
Thank you Marcia.
Hoping for a great outcome Mary. I think you’re on the right road.
Thanks for weighing in with some encouragement George.
Mary, warm wishes for successful surgery and healing. Moving forward is good, and it sounds like your doctors agree that the surgery will be beneficial. Take care and we’ll all be happy to hear how things go for you. Thinking of you!
Jo recently posted..Lovely guacamole
Thanks Jo!