Knickers! (Sciatica rant post Wallis Stabilization)

**Frances144** · 05-16-2011, 04:00 PM

Ok, story so far - 6 months PLIF (L5/S1 + L4 Wallis ligament stabilisation).

Had 6 monthly surgical check, everything fine.

I went shopping for w/e with my daughters. I just paid, walked and sat down a bit for the weekend. It was hard work but I managed on cocodamol. On Sat evening my right leg gave way. I couldn't weight-bear or anything. Cramp and pain from buttock down to toes so bedrest for 15 hours.

Got the girls back to school and drove back to ferry (2 hour drive and 14 hour boat trip home). Enforced bedrest with diazepam and cocodamol for 16 hours on the boat.

Get home and leg just keeps giving way. I can barely walk so I go and see my doctor (GP) and he phones the surgeon who is busy and leaves a message.

My surgeon had said everything was healing fine so just go about as normal (this was a week ago at 6 month check up).

My GP is furious I went shopping while I am trying to lead a normal life and don't feel I overdid it at all. My right leg waivers between weight bearing and non-weight bearing and hurts. I can't do a straight leg raise with it at all and am scared I will topple over.

So now what?

**ajj1001** · 05-16-2011, 04:05 PM

you've done too much, rest, ice/heat, medicate and remobilise when it settles. if your surgeon says you are ok then you should be fine. if it doesn't settle within 6 weeks then let the surgeon know.

**Cindylou** · 05-21-2011, 11:11 AM

I agree with Alison completely. Good advice Alison.

Cindylou

**Frances144** · 05-21-2011, 11:18 AM

Thanks! Just pottering and it is now only horrible in the evenings.

I reckon it is like someone poking you with an electric cattleprod resulting in Tourettes! I swear horribly at the most unlikely times!

**ajj1001** · 05-21-2011, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Frances144

Thanks! Just pottering and it is now only horrible in the evenings.

I reckon it is like someone poking you with an electric cattleprod resulting in Tourettes! I swear horribly at the most unlikely times!

.... as long as no one is around and it makes you feel better then that sounds a good way to vent! hope it starts to settle soon in the evenings, have you tried spacing rest periods a bit more so that evenings improve a bit faster?