Lower back Op.

[Amdrew]

I had a disk decompression Op late January 2020, for a long term L5/L4 problem and scatica down left hip to foot, I was told there was some hick ups with the Op and I was confirmed as GCS3 and spent the rest of the week in the HDU Dept, I was also told the consultant had to remove more tissue at L5/L4 than the MRI scan showed.

Since the Op my left foot has been ultra sensitive at the heel, outsteip, and toes except the large toe, and is very tender to walk on, also when walking a short distance I get spasims from the heel to the ankle to the calf, as well as the lower pain also.

When sitting I get a throbbing pain from the hip to the knee, and pins and needles to my left hand apart from my pinky finger, plus my foot gets pins and needles and feels colder.

Has anyone else had this type of pain after a lower back operation?

Thanks and I would appreciate any feedback.

[cyberbarn]

Are you having any physio to help with the recovery? It sounds like either physio or maybe occupational therapy would help.

I didn't have back surgery but when I had foot surgery, they cut one of the smaller nerve in the ankle accidentally. Everything was numb in that area for a while, but as the nerve grew back all the perceptions were hypersensitive. The worst was when I was in the hydrotherapy pool, where the addition of the warm water meant it felt like I was walking on glass.

I had to basically retrain my brain to understand the signals from the foot correctly. This meant stroking my foot gently so that my brain got used to the idea that that was a gentle touch and nothing to scream about. It took many months, but it worked and for the most part the brain is now reporting what the body is telling it normally.

But my background is in neuroscience, so I knew exactly what was happening and what to do about it. You situation is a bit different. I think you need to talk to your care providers first to make sure exactly what it is that is going on, and then get some help and support to get the nerves and brain working together again in a more appropriate way.

[Amdrew in reply to cyberbarn]

Yep, the broken glass comment is very similar, as per the hyper sensitivety also.

I'm going to self refer for phisio but I'm sure the is a waiting list.

Thanks

[Kels1974 in reply to Amdrew]

Hi I had lumbar spinal decompression surgery last October and was great for almost 6 months,the pain is back again now so I've been referred back to consultant.

[Amdrew in reply to Kels1974]

Did you have any of the side affects that I highlighted on my email like nerve damage and scatica?

Thanks

[Kels1974 in reply to Amdrew]

Yes.i had lumbar discectomy and facetectomy at L5 s1 for herniated disc and trapped nerve.i now have burning back pain, shooting pain and pins and needles.

[Amdrew in reply to Kels1974]

Sounds very similar, thanks

[Batty1 in reply to Amdrew]

You mean to tell me that you had major back surgery and they did not sign you up automatically for physical therapy? Wow

[Kels1974 in reply to Batty1]

I haven't had physiotherapy following my back operation last year either

[Amdrew in reply to Batty1]

No!! 12 weeks after the operation a medical person from the orthopedics dept called to ask how I was recovering, when I explained that things had gotten worse in a number of ways since the Op I was told that due to Corona virus there was a long waiting list for phisio and to self refer.

[Batty1 in reply to Amdrew]

Oh, Covid the virus that keeps on giving !