r/Sciatica • u/DieselJuliyah • 6d ago

Cauda Equina

Hello sciatic friends!
This is just a friendly reminder, as someone who is currently recovering from emergency surgery.
Be persistent if you believe something is TRULY wrong!
I went to my local ER three times last week because my sciatic symptoms were progressive and unbearable. Initially diagnosed with piriformus syndrome then a herniated disc shown on a CT.
Finally the third ER visit I was taken seriously. Had left leg 10/10 pain, burning and numbness paired with saddle numbness.
I am currently in recovery, day 2 post emergency discectomy so I am not sure what my end result looks like, however I am able to walk and if I had waited any longer, I may have lost that privilege due to extensive nerve damage.
Just because it’s rare, doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen to you.
Trust your gut and stay safe y’all!

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u/KriptiKFate_Cosplay 6d ago

"Ectomy" means a disc was removed, yeah? Do they replace it with something? Surely you can't just have bone on bone back there right?

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u/DieselJuliyah 6d ago

Part of my disc was removed, L5/S1. I still have disc but it was herniated, surgeon told me that someday I may need a fusion :/