Bulging disc and sciatica

[KnottedYet]

I had a patient with history of severe back and leg pain and loss of motor function of the leg. Patient had a multi-level fusion and I think also multi-level laminectomies. At 5 weeks post-surgery the patient was pain-free and had returned to commuting by bike to work.

There is hope, hang in there!

(Ered, what post-surgery protocol does your surgeon have you using? The protocol is chosen by the surgeon, not by the PT, cuz the surgeon knows exactly what he did in there and how he wants you rehabbed. The various protocols have exercises and goals and precautions clearly spelled out for every week, so I'm kind of surprised that your PTs seem to be a bit at cross-purposes. Ask them to give you a photocopy of the entire 3-month protocol. It's nice to be able to see all the exercises and goals and the progression at once, rather than just one week at a time as they dole it out. It also lets you over-see the new PT you get who may not be familiar with you. I'm sorry you are frustrated that they ask the same dang questions about your pain every time, but we have to do that to monitor progress and changes. It drives my patients nuts, too!)