Lumbar Disectomy L2-3 help!!

[friendly forever]

I had a Left L2-3 Lumbar Disectomy on 12/31/2009. I also have L4-L5 herniation, but, the MD did not repair those as they are not symptomatic.

Almost 2 weeks after surgery, the pain in my left thigh has increased 10 fold. My lower left buttock/sciatica pain is completely gone. No pain in my back at all aside from a little incisional pain and pain when I walk in the area of surgery.

Anyone experience this type of pain in the thigh after surgery? Can't barely even touch my skin without pain. Shower water pulsating is even painful. I get occasional hot stabbing pains all over the area, but, the constant sensory pain is awful and frustrating. Forget letting my toddler try to sit near me and push on my thigh, it shoots me through the ceiling. I went to the ER because I thought I had a DVT because of the pain. The Ultra Sound was the worst pain I have ever had when they pushed the thing into my leg to look for a blood clot.

Before surgery, thigh was numb and deep tissue was painful. Post surgery, I can't even barely walk because the pants touching my thigh is painful. I know that sounds weird and it is hard to explain, but, it is.

The surgeon said my nerve was bright red when he got in there. He said usually the nerve is blue or gray when he sees them. Will I get better? Will the pain go away eventually? It seems to only get worse day after day. Nerve damage?

 

[gutter_fly]

I am gald that your buttock pain has improved, there is nothing worse than a pain the ass! LOL.

I don't know whether you knew Bluyz, but the thigh pain you desrcibe, is also a symptom of sciatic nerve impingement
at the L 4/5 level. I havent heard of the L 2/3 level causing that pain in that place, but don't take my word for it, check it out with an Osteopath or Chiroprator who can check the neurological pathways for links. Speak to your MD as well, demand answers from him!

The accute pains you describe seem to be 'at the surface' of the thigh, I have not come across this myself before and I don't easily reccognise the symptoms as being the same as the pains I had with my sciatica.
More research is required I think, try web sites like:
www.spineuniverse.com
www.doctorfosters.com
Or Google symptom related web sites.

I think your question about nerve damage might be correct, there was 'clearly' a big change in condition after the operation. The only question in my mind is, is it just a short term symptom of a post operative reaction to the trauma, or is it a permanant condition, caused by severe or catastrophic nerve damage, caused during the procedure. I suppose only time will tell,
but I would see your MD again and and demand answers.

Bright red nerve strands indicate a lot of irratation and impingement over a long period of time, and is not a good sign!
This will probably take a long time to settle down after the op,
so don't panic yet, its quite normal, but do demand answers from your MD/Surgeon for your own peace of mind!!

Good luck and best wishes


SPINELF

 

[QQq!]

Thank you! You have given me more thoughts on anything I can find on the internet. MD/Surgeon put me on a Medrol Dose Pack, I started it today. Not sure what to expect, but, I just completed taking my last 2 pills (of 6 for the day) and no improvement.

I am going to remain positive for as long as I can. I hope to keep you posted. Blessings.

Linda

 

[TrerelinedY]

Good luck and all the very best to you Linda!

Keep posting, you are amongst friends here!

It good to talk!


Best wishes


SPINELF