Cramps in top of foot help

[Kelliew]

Hi all I and 4 weeks post op from L5S1 fusion and thing seem to be going well my only problem right now is i am getting some pretty painfull cramps in the top of my right foot and front of the calf and the back of the calf but only close to the bottom of the leg i have never had cramps in these aeras before any ideas. It seem to get worse when i am walking and that is what i have to do to walk walk and walk some more and it gets so painful that i have to stop.

 

[ibake&pray]

When the surgeons go in they move the nerves and muscles around to get the job completed. They then put them back in place. Well, the nerves don't like being moved around and often flare up. Until all of the swelling goes down and everything can settle back into place it's not uncommon to get nerve issues. You can ask your doc for some of the meRAB that are specifically for nerve pain, that should help some. I'm sure you have found that your normal pain meRAB aren't doing a good job on that pain at all.
Good luck-you are still early in your healing...give yourself time....

 

[BlueAtlas]

Yes, what IBake said. She's a pro at this, too!

I used a heating pad when it got bad. That helped me the most. Also, take calcium and potassium. Those can both help with cramps due to non-use of those muscles and/or the natural stretching out that doesn't happen when you spend a lot of time lying down or just sitting and not moving around. Bananas and orange juice are both high in potassium. You don't need to take a supplement. But if it's due to nerve irritation, it's just going to take time. Mine was, I think, a corabination of the two. The heating pad, etc., helped but it didn't eliminate it. Over time, it stopped completely.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Emily