[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] PLIF Was Done on Dec. 1st. Questions about leg pain

[Jan P]

Well, it's finally over. I am too weak to stand and write very much now about the whole thing - will do so soon as possible.

I do have a concern and will be calling my doc today but wondering if this seems normal. Ever since the day after surgery I find that sleeping on either right or left side my legs just feel like they are being crushed. It's almost like when you have a really bad flu and your leg just ache. Sleeping on back doesn't work for me, but when I do, legs still hurt. I left the hospital on Saturday. I can walk fairly well with the walker and once up and about, leg pain subsides. Sitting for any length of time 20 minutes plus cause hip/leg pain.

Any thoughts out there would be really helpful.

Thanks
Jan

[ajj1001]

I was exactly the same when i sat and couldn't manage more than 5 minutes so getting up to 20 minutes is good. I did not try to sleep laid down for a few weeks, I had legs raised a bit and back propped up (i have an electric bed). This seemed to keep the strain off the fusion area. It does take an awful long time for things to ease off.

[Cindylou]

Jan, welcome to the other side of surgery, even though I understand it is rough going for awhile. Let's face it, the first few days and weeks are real tough on the body. You have been through a very major surgery and your body is definitely letting you know it, and how. The nerves in the legs take a big hit during this type of surgery, and as Alison already alluded, "it does take an awful long time for things to ease up." No question about it. I slept initially, kind of like Alison, not an electric bed, but a gravity free recliner, for the first week or two. I eventually graduated to my bed, however, I have been forced, out of necessity, to always sleep on my back, due to pain issues in my hips. I just cannot lay on my side. But I stick a big, ole' pillow under my knees, as I have for years, and you'd be amazed at how the body can adapt to a sleeping style change. Whenever I wake up, for whatever reason, during the night, I am always on my back, usually with my hands cradled behind my head! It's hilarious. Even though it doesn't look or feel snuggly, it definitely works for me. (I know you are way too early in the healing stages to even think about changing sleeping styles, but you might ask your surgeon for some suggestions too, to minimize your pain, while you attempt much needed slumber.) Sounds like you may be experiencing some neuropathic pain in your legs as well. Are you on any nerve pain medication, such as Neurontin or Lyrica? You might mention this to your surgeon as well, if you aren't currently taking any. Just a thought. Hang in there. It will get better. My best to you, Cindylou

[KBear]

I'm with Allison and CL, my legs hurt horribly after surgery. I was scared they had messed something up, as I had never had leg pain prior to surgery. It was awful, and lasted quite some time. I would definitely inquire about Lyrica or Neurontin, if you aren't already on it, as they can help.

[Justin]

Hi Jan,

Your symptoms sound "normal" to me as well. With your fusion, they inherently increased the intervertebral disc space (the space where your "bad" disc was) when they fused the L5-S1 level. The pain you are experiencing is called distraction pain--essentially, your nerves get stretched out during the operation to accommodate the fusion and this takes time to settle down, as nerves do not (read hate) to be stretched or manipulated.

Frequent change in position was helpful during my recovery. This too shall pass. Keep us posted.

[Jan P]

Allison - I guess in some ways I am doing pretty good. In ICU the nurses were surprised that I sat up for 30 to 60 minutes a few times. Now at home I can do anywhere from 20 to 60ish minutes.

Cindylou - Well said "the other side of surgery". No matter how much info I have read on this forum and where ever else, nothing really prepares you for the reality of the pain. Sleeping on my back just doesn't work for me so I am constantly rolling between left and right side. There is only one chair in the house (except raised toliet seat) that works for me - office desk chair which my husband put in the great room so I can watch a bit of TV. The recliner and couch/loveseat just don't cut it. When I left the hospital I received Vicodin and Tramadol (which I had been taking since early summer along witht the Gabapentin), plus Valium which does help some for muscle relaxation

Kathy - I have been on Gabapentin since last year - current dose for the last 12 months is 1800mg per day, which I am still taking. That crushing leg pain when sleeping is just so painful, but is somewhat controlled by 2 Vicodin prior to bed at night, but ususally by 4 or so hours I need to get out of bed and walk around the house for 10+ minutes and then take something else for pain.

Justin - Distraction Pain - makes sense. I am very glad to know that from all of you these pains are normal. The good thing is the nerve pain in the groin, knee and thigh and calf that was a problem post surgery are not there, yeah for something.

A bit about my first few days after surgery - The surgery for the procedure went well according to my doc to my husband. No surprises and he feels very confident that I will have a very successful outcome. The downside my blood pressure stayed very low and they found I was extremely anemic and dehydrated. In recoverry I required two units of blood transfusion and had to be watch in ICU for the first two days.

I am on increased iron and as soon as possible will need to see Primary Doc to follow up on these things. My surgery was Wed. and I was sent home on Saturday. Sunday noticed 4 small blister type pumps on left hip/side area. Husband has kept clean and covered with bandage and the Nurse Practioner from Prim. Doc office is coming to our house tomorrow Thursday to check on this. I am sure it's not MRSA, but we would rather be really safe than sorry, since these were not there previously and I have not had anything like that before. Has anyone had a problem with this sort of thing?

Thanks you all for your continued support andf reassurances.

Jan

[KBear]

I am on increased iron and as soon as possible will need to see Primary Doc to follow up on these things. My surgery was Wed. and I was sent home on Saturday. Sunday noticed 4 small blister type pumps on left hip/side area. Husband has kept clean and covered with bandage and the Nurse Practioner from Prim. Doc office is coming to our house tomorrow Thursday to check on this. I am sure it's not MRSA, but we would rather be really safe than sorry, since these were not there previously and I have not had anything like that before. Has anyone had a problem with this sort of thing?

Glad you are getting this checked out. My father in law got a cut on his leg a couple of months ago, clean cut so to speak. He immediately went to the ER (called an ambulance) and had it cleaned and stitched. For the first week it seemed fine, then it started getting bad. He went to his family dr. who put him in the hospital. It wasn't MRSA, just a staph infection. He spent 2 weeks in the hospital, then had to go to a transition hospital for another 3 weeks. They put in a Pic line for his antibiotics and they had to be given a couple of times a day. I had no idea a staph infection could be that serious, so it's always better to err on the side of caution.

[Jan P]

Wow that's very scary to find a simple cut could turn into something so bad. I hope he is doing better. I will feel better having these pumps checked out.

Thanks
Jan

[Cindylou]

Jan, yes definitely good that you are getting these bumps checked out tomorrow. Anything out of the ordinary needs to be addressed as soon as possible, and from what you mentioned earlier, these bumps were not there before, so absolutely err on the side of caution, as you are. Staph infections and MRSA can be extremely serious as you are well aware. Hopefully it is nothing. Please keep us updated on this. We care. Cindylou