Papa57 "new guy"

**Papa57** · 09-12-2011, 10:26 AM

Hi to all my new friends I am 6weeks post op L5/s1 microdiscectomy and removal of large bone frag from S1nerve. My left foot is still numb and I have soreness but I guess it is to be expected. I also am an RN so I hope I can help ! We are in this together I hope I hear from you soon.

**KBear** · 09-12-2011, 01:03 PM

Hi and Welcome to the forum. Most here refer to the common leg pain after surgery as 'distraction pain'. It's very normal and generally resolves itself.
Kathy

**Papa57** · 09-12-2011, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

Hi and Welcome to the forum. Most here refer to the common leg pain after surgery as 'distraction pain'. It's very normal and generally resolves itself.Kathy

Hi Cathy any idea how long my foot will stay numb

**trkdoc714** · 09-12-2011, 07:19 PM

Nerve healing times have been estimated anywhere between 1 and 2 years. I still have residual numbness and a slight limp after 2 1/2 years. Although it improved dramatically after the surgery, I haven't noticed any more improvement in the last year or so.

I'll be in character this Halloween when I dress up as the Mummy...........

I wrote to Tom Petty and asked him to change his lyrics to "stop draggin' my leg around". He didn't respond..........

Papa57, you're very early on in your recovery. I'm sure you'll see several levels of improvement in the coming months/ years.

Take it easy and let your body heal at it's own pace.

Good luck,

Bob

**KBear** · 09-12-2011, 08:36 PM

I second everything Bob said, you are very early out and it can take awhile. I never had leg pain prior to surgery, so after when I had it bad, to say I was 'freaking out' would be a gross understatement. I thought for sure the surgeon had messed me up permanently

. Think goodness it was all normal and it resolved on it's own. I don't remember how long it took to reslove, maybe around 6 months? As Bob said though, nerves can take a long time to heal. Within hours of having my 2nd child my thumb went numb. My doctor told me it took nerves one year to regenerate... a year came and went, so did year 2 & 3. It was right around 4 years after it started that it finally went away. I had nerve tests and everything, but it just took time. It's hard being patient to heal, when we all look forward to surgery day as our fix and rarely really think about (or realize) just how long healing takes. We want to be better yesterday.

**Gilbert P** · 09-13-2011, 09:20 AM

Bob

I am going on nine weeks from surgery and still have nerve leg foot issues,

My first surgery17 years ago at L5-S1 Lam. my left heal was numb, behind the knee and still is But they work and do not notice it much. It will get better nerves heal very slowly. I over did things back then, Slow and Steady will get you to the finish line.

All The Best

Gil