Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Numbness after microdiscectomy

Hello. I'm a 33yo male and I had a microdiscectomy about two weeks ago. I had a disc herniation at the L5 S1 that cause me alot of pain down my left leg just to the calf area. This was the first surgery I ever had so I didn't really know what to expect. The first thing I noticed after surgery was my leg didn't hurt anymore. The next thing I noticed is my left foot was asleep. The surgeon told me my nerve was pretty beat up and the feeling should return. Its been two weeks and its still asleep. They fitted me with a cane and told me to walk as much as I could. On a recent trip to the store with my wife, I noticed numbness in the areas I used to have pain, so I found a bench and sat awhile and it went away. But the foot is still numb even though I never had an issue with my foot. Has anyone ever dealt with this or know anyone who has? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
13 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi, my husband had a L5 S1 microdiscectomy 7 months ago. He came out of surgery with numbness from his left breast all down through his left leg, including his groin. After some time, the torso numbness went away but he is still completely numb from his groin down through his left leg. The doctors and neurosurgeons can't explain it, they don't understand as all his MRIs come up normal. He also has extreme back pain which he had an epidural spinal injection for but it did not help at all, only made the pain worse and since that injection, he is now having urinary problems (incontin and urges). Has anyone else had such extremely after effects? It seems like most people just get numbness in a foot or thigh but my husband cannot balance of walk on hisnown- he has been on crutches ever since he has come out of surgery!! It's so sad and he's severely depressed and it doesn't help that he's out on a lot of weight because every movement is painful for him and that gets him even more down. He is also a smoker and as much as I encourage him to quit, he doesn't want to as it is a stress reliever for him. We just went an saw a new neurosurgeon who recommended getting a spinal cord stimulator implanted but I am worried about that, there are some really mixed reviews on that. I also read about the TENS therapy but that is only for patients with low intensity pain but my husband is in so much pain, he says he feels like he is being electrocuted and it brings tears to his eyes. Please if anyone has any help, feedback or similar stories, I would love to hear. We just don't know what to do, we are so lost. And he is so young, only 34.
Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I know its been five years since, but my husband just went through surgeru over a week ago, L4-L5, and is now tapering off the oxy's and perc's and yesterday, 9 days after the surgery, he felt a shooting pain once down his left leg, and this morning, it's a numbness in the same leg. Is this cause for worry?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had severe pain in my hip and down my leg but after a few day all I had was numbness and foot drop to the point I was falling all of the time. I use a walker now and am thinking of surgery.  All the comments I hear are after surgery the numbness set in, is there no hope for me?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello, I had the same surgery, L5 S1 discectomy, about 2 weeks ago (September 18, 2014). Before surgery, I had terrible sciatic pain in my left leg that persisted for roughly 5 1/2 months before I had the surgery. I had numbness and tingling down the back/outside of my left leg, calf, and outside of my left foot, including the pinky toe. Post surgery, the leg pain was 100% gone, but my left foot felt like yours, totally numb and had a swollen feeling. Almost like if you sleep weird on your arm and you wake up feeling like you have a big cartoon hand. This time, however, unlike before surgery, the numbness was in the entire foot. All toes, the whole top and side. I still have sensation in the sole. The numbness extends through my left ankle and up the outside of my left calf. In the two weeks since surgery, I now have a bit of feeling in my big toe and some feeling on one side of my second and third toes. Sometimes numbness there returns or worsens. Still no feeling in the fourth toe or pinky toe or my ankle or outside calf. The numbness in my ankle seems to cause weakness as well. When walking, I feel like I am not able to walk properly because of the ankle. I am quite worried about it. I can't seem to get any answers from my doctor. Did feeling ever return for you?? I'm a 26 year old female with no other health issues. I am really hoping for a full recovery and a normal life!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had L5/S1 microdisectomy a month ago due to a sequestered disc causing ridiculous leg pain. I teach PE and had no choice but to reluctantly get this done due to the pain. I've had foot numbness on the outer half of my foot since the surgery with little or no improvement. If I try to jog it feels like my leg "doesn't work" and I'll just fall over. I'm a former professional athlete and very active so this is a little concerning. I think all you can do is hope the nerve slowly repairs itself and go from there. I also think it's important to strengthen your leg and do what you can do...sitting around feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just had  microdiscectomy of my L5-s1 on the 4th of Oct 2011 I am experiencing extreme numbness in my leg to my foot and it is hard to walk.  i was wondering if yours ever went away?????
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had microdiscectomy at L5/S1. After surgery the weakness and 95% of the pain went away. However, the numbness along the outer border of my foot, including the small toe remained. It's been over a year since the surgery and the numbness is still there. Unfortunately, nerves are very sensitive to pressure and manipulation by surgery. Sometimes nerves heal, and sometimes they don't; it's difficult to predict. A good rule of thumb is: If a year after disc surgery you still have numbness on your leg/foot, chances are it'll stay for good. The cause for failure to heal is not easy to figure out. It could be severe damage from the disc herniation; manipulation and damage during surgery; or scar tissue pushing or pulling on the nerve. The only real  solution for this problem is learning how to live with it. No magic pills or therapeutics exist to relieve numbness due to nerve damage. Avoid depression, lose weight if not skinny, and keep moving if possible, avoid narcotics. God Bless you all who are in pain.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had L5 S1 Microdiscectomy last Feb 18th 2009. I just had pain in outside of left Ankle almost like the bone was being stabbed by a knife.
I caused me to develop a limp. Tried 5 of the epudriual injections and nothing. Before surgery left foot was fine. After Surgery Foot was numb really BAD... Felt like it was really swollen, asked doctor said the the nerve was wrapped around the disk and he had to move it and nerves don't like to be moved. Should be fine in a few mths. It is now May 20th 2010 and foot is still numb. Went back to the doctor April 20th 2010 asking why my foot is still numb and it also runs up my left calf all the way to the knee. What a really bad feeling.. He told me that well only thing he could do is a fusion on my back now. I had MRI and showed another herniation at L-4 and he said that was causing my numbness. I don't know what to do. Really not wanting a Fusion but really not wanting to live the rest of my life with this numbness. I am only 45 years old and it's driving me crazy.. Don't know if it will ever heal...

***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for all the info. I go back to see the surgeon on the 19th of this month. I will definately mention the piriformis syndrome. To answer your question, I never had an issue with my foot before surgery and it is still numb right now. I'll update you with what the surgeon says. Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
1295655 tn?1272467246
OOpps forgot to say that nerve damage can take a while to heal of course.
Did you notice a numb foot before surgery ?
Just a couple of things about identifying piriformis syndrome . . . normal sitting position can be uncomfortable, walking often causes pain (as the sciatic nerve is irritated by the muscle with every step) walking up stairs or up inclines is more difficult.
I guess you had better concentrate on recovery first but just bare in mind P.S in the future, if the numbness remains.
Helpful - 0
1295655 tn?1272467246
When you go to see your surgeon, ask him about piriformis syndrome. It could be that with the type of heavy work you do, the disc could be herniated AND some muscle spasmed. After all your body will try to protect a damaged area,(disc/spine problem) and sometimes muscles can spasm to do just that. It's your body saying STOP! but of course you can't/don't, because of work, etc.
The piriformis muscle in the pelvic area, below the spine, runs next to the sciatic nerve and if spasmed can give the same symptoms of sciatica, like numbness. If nothing 'spinal' shows up on your follow up scan, muscle spasm(s) might be the answer. The are plenty of stretches and exercises to do for piriformis syndrome, when you are feeling up to it, after all you need to recover from the surgery first.
H  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello. Thanks for the feedback.  I work for Pepsi as a vending technician. I service, deliver, and install pop machines, cooler and fountain equipment. I would have a back ache from time to time but this past november I had a back ache that never went away that eventually led to my surgery two weeks ago. The numbness in my foot is the worse in the mornings and is constant and has been since the surgery. The numbness in my leg has ony happened a couple times but has gone away. I plan on making a call to the surgeon next week. Just like you I'm glad the pain is gone just wondering why the numb foot. Thank you for the comments.
Helpful - 0
1295655 tn?1272467246
Hi There,
I had a microdiscectomy 7 years ago, L5 S1 the same as you. I'd had pain on and off (mainly on) for 3 years before I had my operation,it was all due to a fall + +.  Again,Iike you  I had numb toes and foot (just sole & a bit of heel)
To be honest I was just so pleased that the main pain had gone that I was happy to handle the numbness. I don't want to worry you but I still have the numbness 7 years on.
How did your disc slip in the 1st place? as mentioned, mine was due to a fall (slipped on ice and landed on my bum) and then I did not look after my back.
I did go to see my consultant (some time later ) and he said that my numbness was probably due to scar tissue.( I can't see how, because scar tissue probably won't have immediately formed ?) but then I am not a consultant.
Have you ever had a muscle spasm?
Does your numbness get worse through the day or stay constant?
Does it ever hurt?

So many questions, tons of time tho'
Helen.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Back & Neck Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches