Leg pain post op

[Carebear92]

I had my lap last week and had endo removed from both uterosacral ligaments and ovaries. By far the most annoying symptom I had was left leg/hip pain, almost constantly but some days worse than others. Immediately after my lap for the first few days, it was gone completely, but now is coming back! It kept waking me last night and I was struggling to walk and stand for a while.

Has anyone else had this symptom post surgery and did it eventually get better as you recovered? I’m pretty disheartened!

x

[luthien]

Hi I've had something similar, but also had lower back pain and shoulder pain. My lap included removal of endo off my uterosacral ligament - can't remember which one. So I don't know if this may help; I've had physio for my endo symptoms, so not endo directly but more the flareup symptoms - during my periods I get lower back pain and like a sharp downward stabbing pain in the top of my left shoulder towards my lungs. I thought it was something to do with bloating, the way I was sleeping, bad neck muscles, anything but the below!

Sometimes I get a sciatic like pain in my butt cheek which can also be associated with endo - I didn't know at the time.

I've posted in response to a lovely lady; it seems back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and pelvic bone pain are all linked to our tight lower back and hips, combined with a weak core (abs). I didn't know this until I saw a physio about it. I replied to a lovely lady with a similar problem:

healthunlocked.com/endometr...

In summary our core is weak from endo / surgeries / no focus to strengthen them, therefore our back compensates changing our posture and becoming tight (it can be over the years), this in turn causes all sorts of pains which can be made worse by; periods , endo generally, childbirth, sitting, a long surgery, scans where we need to stay still, you get the idea.

My pain was always lower back, hips, shoulder and coccyx. I'm having regular monthly "maintenance" physio to help with my lower back and coccyx, which is going well, I now only have a slight ache during the first day of my flare ups.

I do core strengthening classes to help my abs and my lower back.

It's not a quick solution; it'll take a bit of time with physio, core exercises and strengthening your back which may mean some at home exercises (google core strengthening). I started to notice improvement after two months. Physio works on the lower back, sacrum, hips and coccyx mobility, as often that whole area can be tight.

I'd defintely look into it yourself, mine costs about £40 per session, which is about an hour, now only once a month. The NHS dismissed mine because it isn't stopping me from sleeping / lying down - silly questionnaire they send you to analyse whether you need physio from them.

My GP just said try steroid injections which seemed a bit extreme, and doesn't actually find the source of the pain.

I know it may not be much help but we do all need to work on our core muscles!

Let me know if you can't access the link and I'll post up the info in there as it includes what type of physiotherapist I saw, what they said and what I'm having done.

Happy to answer any questions xx

[Carebear92 in reply to luthien]

That’s such an amazing response to get, thank you so much! I am determined that I want to get my activity levels back up after I’m recovered, so that’s really useful advice.

I’ve been dismissed (quite rudely) by physio in the past before I even considered endo, but with a diagnosis it might be worth reconsidering.

Will read your other post now. To be honest, I feel better knowing I’m not the only one with this problem, it is the one that winds me up the most!

Thank you for your help! x

[Thecraftyadder]

Hi just to second what farahziya said I had endo removed from my right uterosacral ligament and had terrible pain through my right hip and down the front of my thigh. It was awful and I worried it was endo pain. It was actually nerve pain but it can be hard for your body to tell the difference. I found a tens machine helped distract from it but ultimately Pilates and a good hands on Physio (mine does sports massage) where the best things for it. It took a long time for me to get on top of but I'd lost my range of movement in that leg prior to surgery so I had a lot of building up to do again and yes standing for any period of time was an issue . I'm planning on getting some pelvic physio to as think I have a few internal nerve issues but I've just treated myself to an exercise bike so I can do some cardio on a good day.

I know it's painful now but honestly it does get better

[Carebear92 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

That’s really a relief! I’ve been looking at Physios this morning since reading farahziya’s response, it’s definitely something I want to try.

I was so active before all this so it’s really frustrating to start again from the bottom, but if I know it has a chance of working, it will be worth it 🙂

Thanks ladies, this is making me feel so much better! x