I think I need a lil reassurance

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mel52
  • Start date Start date
M

Mel52

Guest
I had a laminectomy and disectomy L3,4 and 5 in March. I am glad I had the surgery after waiting 3 years for treatment through workmanscomp. The pain is different. My left leg was the one with the severe stenosis. If I stand too long or sit too long my left leg goes nurab and feels very heavy. My thigh may ache and my foot tingle. My baby toe too. I finally went yesterday to get my hair done for the first time since the surgery and I was miserable. I had to keep putting my leg up, moving it, standing up, shaking it, anything to relieve the discomfort. Today my back is swollen which happens when I stand or sit too long. I feel like a slab of concrete is stuck on my back.
I have mentioned it to the PA each time I go in for follow-up. He has said I am only 4 months post op. However, before he had said by 3 months, things are usually the way they are going to be. Has anyone experienced this and over time it disappated?
 
It is still early days as far as the recovery goes, and it does take time for the nerves to recover just from the surgery, let alone the compression from the original problems. Have you had PT yet to help strengthen your core muscles and to get your leg moving again? If not, you might want to consider it, and really work on your ability to stand or sit for longer perioRAB.
The nerves from the original compression may or may not recover due to the length of time from the original injury to your surgery.
I wish you the best.
Sandi
 
Sometimes the surgeries you had are not enough to take care of the nerve compression. Especially when several levels are affected, they have to go back in, free up the nerve roots and fuse to keep things stabilized.

While I agree that it is still early in your recovery, I would be concerned about the swelling...and your comment that your back feels like a slab of concrete is stuck to it. To me that sounRAB out of the ordinary scope of healing. I wouldn't think you would still have swelling this long after surgery; obviously that is your concern, too. Have you been able to talk to the surgeon?
 
Hi thank you for the responses. Yes, I went through physical therapy core exercises and walking on a treadmill in water. Surgeon requested more but of course workmanscomp is asking why I need physical therapy. Geez, you would think after they made mistakes of approving me 3 times for surgery, twice with the wrong doctors, they would try to work with me.
The surgeon's PA didn't seem concerned with the swelling. Comment is I am only a few months after surgery. I put on a compression stocking tonight and I have to say it feels kind of good.
 
Back
Top