paralysis after lower back surgery

Melissa · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2013, 03:25 PM

My 49 year old brother had lower back surgery June 13 for a herniated disc. He was scheduled to have the surgery one day and go home the next. Then we were told the dura membrane was nicked. Otherwise, the doctors said the surgery was very routine and
uneventful. He has been paralyzed since the day of his surgery. He has regained urine and bowel control; he has feeling in his quads. However, no feeling in his buttocks or from the ankles down. What is going on?

Maria · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2013, 03:43 PM

Did your brother have surgery on? Was it a discectomy or fusion (I'm guessing a discectomy if supposed to go home the same day)? Sounds like progress with regaining bowel and bladder function.. hope the rest comes back with time too. Sorry to read this happened with what was considered routine surgery. What else is the surgeon saying with regard to the paralysis?

theBadCormorant · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2013, 05:00 PM

What were his symptoms before the surgery ?

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2013, 11:31 PM

Melissa, I've handled over a thousand cases and this is the first time I've heard of such a serious complication following a microdiscectomy. I saw my pain management doc on Friday... he's an older fellow with a TON of experience... He's never heard of this either. It's not much consolation for your brother and his family. One good note that I took from the doctor's email that I saw was that improvement is possible for a couple of years. I'm still confused about the cause... They did the right thing by going back in so quickly, but I wonder if they are being honest about what they found???

Good luck,

Mark