Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Rationale for radiculopathy post fusion

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Spine

I am 3 weeks post lap fusion with BAK at L5-S1. After riding in the car for over an hour this past week, my old leg and foot pain symptoms returned. My surgeon says this is normal and happens to most of his patients. What is the rationale for this? I am still pleased with the surgery. I have almost no back pain, just this leg and foot pain. Does it typically go away in a week or two as I have been told ?
_

Dear Betsy,

You may occasionally feel some of the old pains you had before surgery.
This is normal. It takes a while for nerves to 'wake up' after being compressed
for a period of time. Generally the old pains should resolve over the next
month or two as you heal. If the pain persists after a few months, or is
getting worse, you should notify your surgeon for a reevaluation. Short of
this, give it some time and it will get better on its own.

Good luck.

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Question Title: Rationale for radiculopathy post fusion

Forum: Neurology Forum Topic: Spine

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Spine