Question re: burning pain on outside of knee after laminectomy

[GregM]

I am new to website, but could not find this exact issue. I am 9 weeks post open double laminectomy at L4/L5. I was surprised how little pain there was in my back and incision point after surgery. I was walking a couple of miles within a few days. I thought I was progressing normally, but new burning pain started radiating on outside of my left knee and numbness down shin at week 4 and 5. It only flares up when I stand or try to walk. When it does, it goes away if I sit down or ice it. Surgeon first thought it was my IT Band and gave me cortisone shots, but did not do anything. He now thinks it is residual nerve issues from the surgery on L4/L5 or new issues with L3. He says just to walk, but not do much else and wait. Has anyone else had such an intense burning pain on outside of knee, and is there anything that helped to get rid of it? I am walking less than I did after surgery. I recently started using a tens unit on my knee in an effort to eliminate the pain and move everything back to the pain source, L4/L5. It seems to help some, but it is difficult to wear it at work.

Regards

[tnt136913]

better stop walking,, thats what i did on my laminectomy was walk , 1 year later i had a double fusion,, u need to build up your lower back muscles,,,

[Justin]

I am new to website, but could not find this exact issue. I am 9 weeks post open double laminectomy at L4/L5. I was surprised how little pain there was in my back and incision point after surgery. I was walking a couple of miles within a few days. I thought I was progressing normally, but new burning pain started radiating on outside of my left knee and numbness down shin at week 4 and 5. It only flares up when I stand or try to walk. When it does, it goes away if I sit down or ice it. Surgeon first thought it was my IT Band and gave me cortisone shots, but did not do anything. He now thinks it is residual nerve issues from the surgery on L4/L5 or new issues with L3. He says just to walk, but not do much else and wait. Has anyone else had such an intense burning pain on outside of knee, and is there anything that helped to get rid of it? I am walking less than I did after surgery. I recently started using a tens unit on my knee in an effort to eliminate the pain and move everything back to the pain source, L4/L5. It seems to help some, but it is difficult to wear it at work.

Regards

Sounds very much like L3 & L4. This burning could very well be nerve irritation that may take some time to "calm down." Nerves do not like to be manipulated and they go through an orchestrated repair process when they are damaged. You might have some weird aches and pains post-op that should resolve in good time. Unfortunately, it's a "hurry up and wait" situation.

By the way, welcome to the Forum.