post-op nerve problem

[LOUSUE]

I had Lumbar fusion done on L4/5 with a cage and screws and rods, on Nov. 11 2003.  After surgery I was told I may have trouble with pain in my left leg because the femoral nerve was exposed but my surgeon felt he protected it during the surgery.  I have horrible pain in the leg and my knee gives out especially on stairs.  I was also told that this would get better in a couple of weeks. I was also told that Physical therapy may help later on after I heal from the surgery. The pain has not subsided and it is the only thing bothering me since surgery.    They used a side approch to get at the disk. Is this a common side effect from this surgery?  How often have you seen this side effect from this type of surgery?  Can there be permanant damage to this nerve?  Should I be more patient with this resolving itself?  Thanks for your advice--it has been valuable in the past.

[bjerk]

On October 21, 2002, i had surgery fusing c4, c5, and c6.  for about a year prior to that my arms and hands became increasingly numb, tingling, painful.  Before the operation the surgeon told me he could not promise that my symptoms would go away - only that they would not get worse.  Since that time I have luckily been able to retire because, as a bank teller, I made many mistakes due to the lack of feeling in my fingers and because this is an invisible problem it was thought that I was just being careless.  Aside from that - my arms still burn (I take 2700 mg of neurontin each day and that helps take the edge off the burning) and my fingers are improving somewhat after more than a year.  I take Ibuprofen for the knuckles and fingers.  It is going to be a long process and sometimes the pain gets to me.  All one can do is keep exploring the internet for new treatments and peripheral neuropathy.  Hang in!

[kattmaven]

I have the same problems - I had my surgery December 2.  For three weeks prior to surgery I was in terrible sciatic pain in my left leg with a little weakness.  After surgery - L-4/L-4 S1 with the herniation out to the side and a "floating" piece of the disc removed, I had some pain but that is gone now.  The shin bone area in my leg is still numb - better than immediately after surgery - my lower leg was completely numb - but I cannot walk up and down stairs without assistance as my knee will give out at a certain point on a normal stair.  I can make it up a short step like a curb with some shakiness but cannot do steps.  I am going to be starting physical therapy in a couple of weeks if it doesn't get better and I guess I am really scared that it won't get better.   Is this a typical result of this kind of surgery and will physical therapy help.  My dr. said it's the muscles in my upper leg that are weak and causing the problem because the nerve is "still asleep" and it takes time for it to wake up.  I guess I just want to know if others have had this problem and was it resolved.  I sure don't want to have to walk with a cane the rest of my life.  Thanks

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Sorry for the delay, I wanted to check on some data first. This is a well established approach for surgery, and injuring the nerves in this region is a possible risk. If the symptoms have not improved, then seeing a neurologist would be advisable. They can order an EMG test looking at the nerve and muscle function in this region and give you a better idea as to what is damaged and possiblly about prognosis. They may also be able to prescribe medication to treat the pain. Good luck