Post op lamenectomy

[Cindy68]

I felt great (great motion and no more back pain!!) after surgery but, my right foot is numb.  

The numbness starts at my big toe, includes the two toes next to it and then comes across the top of my foot to the outer ankle then up the outer part(front/outer front side) of my lower leg. This area is not only numb, but the top of my foot feels as if I have a blow torch aimed at it...is this normal and how long should it take to recover fully?

[Stephen Ryu, MD]

You are very fortunate that surgery has helped your back pain - that is great. It is hard to know what is going on with you except that is most likely neurological - numbess and dystesthetic pain (the blowtorch feeling).

You probably have an irritated nerve root. If this happened right after surgery, nerves sometimes get upset just from surgery. It should improve over weeks to months but may need medications.

If this is months to years since surgery, it might be scar formation for which not a lot can really be done.

If this is a result of something squishing the nerve, then surgery might relieve the symptoms.

I would follow up with your surgeon and see if you need more imaging. There are other options if your symptoms worsen or do not improve besides spine surgery.

[rollins975]

A related discussion, Post Laminectomy Expectations was started.

[bjn]

A related discussion, Lamenectomy and fusion was started.

[bjn]

A related discussion, Lamenectomy was started.

[markipc]

I have recently undergone a lamenactomy in Cyprus, all seems well with the operation, and have relief from numb leg and acheing testies as well as severe lower back pain, most of the pain is now receeding slowly (I was operted on 6 days ago).  Here is my problem: I was told that I lost asustancial amount of spinal fluid, which has left me with almost unbearable headaches, painful neck and some sensitivity to bright light. It does not seem to be receeding at any rate. What can I do to alieve the suffering?

Regards

Mark

[worriedpatient]

My mom aged 70 had laminectomy for her lumbar spinal stenosis on 27 Aug. 2007.  After the operation, she lost control of her bladder and bowel.  She does feel the urge to urinate but she just cannot void by herself.  Her urine flows out as soon as she stands up from the toilet seat.  She can also defecate but some stool is often found on her diaper.

My mom had perfect bladder and bowel BEFORE the operation.

I understand that Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) may lead to incontinence due to pinched nerves and that CES calls for urgent surgery in order to avoid permanent nerve damage.  But laminectomy is supposed to "decompress" rather than to "pinch" the nerves.  How come my mom has become incontient after laminectomy?

The orthopedist operated on her said that my mom's incontinence was the first one he has ever seen and that it might be caused by "upset" nerves after being decompressed.  He put her on "Neurontin 300mg" - 2 capsules to be taken twice a day for a week.

Should I have my mom do an MRI or EMG?  I am going to seek a 2nd opinion, should I go for another orthopedist, or a neurosurgeon, or a neurologist, or an urologist?  

Do you think if there is any nerve damage?

I

[Cindy68]

I am now post op 30 days and blowtorch feeling is better and numbness seems as if it receeding...How long should I wait for feeling to return in foot before I should start being worried or asking for some kind of medication?  Any over the counter or herbal medications that might help...I have heard of lecithin.  Will it help?

Cindy68

FYI -- Back is still great, no pain, great range!!