Post PLIF problems - suggestions please

**Tuliptoday** · 08-03-2011, 06:12 AM

Hello all,
Hope you are all coping ok. I have a question, after my PLIf 16 days ago I have developed a pain that feels like a badly sprained ankle from my hip to my toes much worse on right side than left, entirely different sort of pain to my pre op sciatica type pain which was rather like continual electrical shocks. Again this new pain is agony - awake all night again - upped my morphine just for a break, the only thing that seems to relieve it is standing up and leaning against a wall or walking around but as soon as I sit down or lay down back it comes..... any ideas?
Thanks

**ajj1001** · 08-03-2011, 09:49 AM

sounds like an 'angry' nerve, does cold or heat block the signal at all?

**trkdoc714** · 08-03-2011, 06:58 PM

Do you think it might be some sort of distraction pain? I had similar pain after the disc space was restored and the nerve roots were positioned where they were prior to the injuries.

Most report anywhere from a few months to a few years before this type of pain goes away.

Bob

**Kimberly** · 08-07-2011, 07:55 PM

I'm a little ahead of you Post-operatively speaking. I had a 2-level ALIF at the end of June. I also had different, "new" pain in both legs post-op that did not match any of my pre-op pain (and I had major sciatica issues pre-op). The backs of my knees and upper calf, lower hamstrings hurt like CRAZY and I found it almost impossible to bend my legs. The only thing that helped was heat (heating pad and icy hot/tiger balm cream) and time. That pain has now gone (lasted for like 3 weeks or so. Go figure?

Hang in there!
Kimberly

**Katie** · 08-08-2011, 06:35 PM

Ditto to all of the above. I had a very aggravating pain in my legs that was never there before surgery, but it disappeared after a few weeks. Just the cost for being over an inch taller, I guess

**Cindylou** · 08-09-2011, 11:34 AM

Let's face it. The body gets pissed off royally when almost any invasive surgical intervention occurs. It's a shock to our system, our nerves, muscles, ligaments.......all and everything that was involved in the surgical procedure itself. Can't be sure, but it does sound like distraction pain. Where I think you should take comfort is that it is very likely a temporary new pain that will eventually resolve itself over time. Remember, you are in such early days of recovery. Allow your body plenty of time during this healing phase before drawing any conclusions. My best to you, Cindylou