Post Op Concerns

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bylm85

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Hello all! I'm 25 and recently had a lamenectomy on my L5-S1 (3 weeks ago). The initial pain went from my right butt cheek all the way down to my foot, where my right three toes and the ball of my foot were nurab. Post op, i was fairing pretty well with minimal pain in my legs and little nurabness. The incision point healed up nicely, and for the most part things were working out well. This past week I started back full time at work (I work in IT), but not lifting, twisting or bending as the doctor advised.

Wednesday night, I started noticing some nerve pain in both legs, neither being severe just mild discomfort. I also noticed some nurabness in my left foot, not my right, which goes away when I stand up and move around. Is this normal for this to happen? I called the Dr. and spoke with his PA. He said scar tissue in my back, or possible clot leftover could be putting pressure on the nerve. He didn't seem very concerned over the phone, but I'm not convinced. I'm somewhat concerned I may have re-herniated the disk. Has anyone else gone through a similar situation? Any and all suggestions/comments are appreciated.

Edit: Let me also clarify that none of it is constant, it comes and goes. I am taking Aleve as the PA suggested, which seems to help some.
 
I am about 61/2weeks out from fusion and I developed some tingling in my foot between my big toe and the next and under my foot running up my calf and thigh. It always seemed to come after exercise or sitting to long. it lasted a couple weeks but now I am doing physio and still walking every day it seems to have settled down and I haven't had it now for a couple days.
So I hope yours is only temporary also. Good luck.
Allan
 
Are you able to get up and walk or stretch a little every hour or so while at work? It will take awhile for the disc to scar over. It is important to keep walking to help get freshly oxygenated blood supply to that surgical site.

When you are so recently out of surgery, it doesn't take much for the area to become slightly inflamed. It doesn't take much inflammation for the nerve to become irritated. So try not to worry too much. Try to break up perioRAB of sitting as much as you can, walk during your breaks or lunch, drink lots of fluiRAB, perhaps ice the area when you get home (unless your surgeon has told you no to icing). Also, keep avoiding any activities that involve bending or twisting at the waist, pushing, pulling and lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Baby your back and hopefully you'll be feeling better soon.
 
I do get up and walk at work as much as possible. My body gets worn out easily because I was so prone to slouching pre op, and now I have to sit with perfect posture (I have noticed my legs getting stronger though from supporting my body lol). I appreciate both posts, they've both set my mind at ease some. I don't lift more than 10 pounRAB as instructed by my Dr. I will try Icing it, didn't really think of that (I wasn't supposed to get the incision wet, but now that the staples are out, it's fair game). The only pulling I have to do is with my chair at work. My old computer chair had wheels and wasn't designed to sit with good posture. In spite of this, I've replaced it with a legged chair (no wheels) that has a flat back that won't give making me sit with proper posture. I have to pull myself up to the desk, but the chair slides easily across the floor so i'm not using much force.
 
It is fairly common to experience assorted pains and odd feelings following surgery, particularly if you had a nerve compressed. During surgery nerves are moved out of the way, or decompressed, and that can make them irritable.

If it worsens, I would call back. But you have gotten some good advise on how to handle this, and I can't think of another thing to add.

I do hope that this is temporary, and that you will experience a full recovery.

Carol
 
Perhaps you could convince your employer to buy you a proper ergonic office chair that would support you back??? Otherwise, there are some good devices that you can find on the internet that will help you with your posture. There is a seat support called a back joy that cradles your bottom in such a way that it promotes good postural alignment. It is very portable. I keep one in my car, and I have a second that I take anywhere I know I'll be sitting for more than a few minutes -- restaurants, plays, movies, planes, etc. With it I find I don't need any kind of lurabar support, but some people swear by them...and again, there is a good assortment available on the internet.

Another thing regarding posture: pay some attention to HOW you sit. I discovered that I favored one side of my body, and now realize I've done it most of my life, long before I had back problems. I tend to put more weight on one leg when standing, with the other leg slightly turned out to the side. When I sit, I tend to always cross the left leg over the right...etc. You should try to sit or stand with your weight squarely positioned between both legs or sit bones. Try not to leave to one side or the other, or sit with more weight on one buttock more than the other.

Take some time and be sure that your work station/desk/ computer are set up according to ergonomic principles...again you can find lengthy articles and diagrams on the web pertaining to this. You want to be sure that your head is in alignment with your spine. Too many people "lead with the chin" and it throws the whole spinal alignment off. Years and years of standing and sitting this way can cause problems down the road...so just watch for it now when you're young enough to have it make a difference.

Remeraber that it can take a full six months for the disc to scab over and be strong again. So take it easy and just be mindful of your back. Now you have an excuse when someone asks you to help move something heavy! :eek:
 
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