Pain in right foot after discectomy operation

[ray29]

Hi.. My mother had discectomy operation in January 2010.. prior to the surgery, she had shooting pain in her right leg and numbness in her right foot and could barely walk and was on complete bed rest. MRI showed disc prolapse at L3-L4 level. after the discectomy operation, the shooting pain in her thigh and back disappeared. but the numbness in her right foot persists, and she even has pain in her right foot as she walks with each step. the pain is quite bad and it isn't showing many signs of improvement either. she even has a limp in her right foot. but our main concern is the pain. she did physiotherapy exercises and is still doing them. but would the pain in her right foot go away? its very annoying as it occurs with each step. also some doctors say nerve regenerates at the rate of 1mm/day so it ll take a year or so. is that true? please help

[ray29]

Thank you everyone. I am very pleased to see all your replies and concern.. :)
We did go for another MRI post-surgery. and it was normal , that is the surgery was successful. However I will now go to a pain specialist and will let you know about the progress.. :) Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the help.

[RunningMom]

Hello Ray29.  I've had the discectomy with a fusion in my neck in March of 09 to decompress the disc off of my spinal cord.  I've been in severe pain ever since(however, I still have 2 mild herniations in my neck).  Yes, the nerves do take a long time to heal on some people and the doctor is correct.  I've even heard as long as two years after surgery before there was any relief in sight.  Perhaps your mother needs another MRI to make sure the surgery went well and there are no new herniations.  When I was at the pain clinic yesterday the pain doctor told me in some cases people have a lifetime of pain even after they have been fixed and the body is healed and there is no explaniation for this.  It is best that your mother is treated for her pain.  I wish you and your mother the best of luck.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Ray,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to tell us about your mom. She is very fortunate to have your love and concern.

I do not know about the practices in India. I have been told that nerve regeneration is a very slow process in the young and even slower and we age. I have not heard an actual measurement given to the healing process.

I would hope that at the very least the physicians would be treating your mother's pain with opiates and/or medications that treat nerve pain. They are available in the US and I assume they would be available in India. However I do know know the attitudes or practices of pain management of your country. Please discuss it with her physician. Why must she be in pain until and if the nerve heals? It doesn't make sense that she would have to suffer needlessly. And chronic pain is needless.

Please keep us updated and let us know how your mom is doing. We will look forward to her progress and how successful she is in obtaining pain management.

My Best to You and your Mom and Please Take Care.

~Tuck

[Sarajmt]

Hi Ray:  I'd like to welcome you to the Pain Management forum.  We are a community of chronic pain patients. Unfortunately, we are not doctors nor do doctors monitor this forum.  

I am so sorry to hear of your mother's pain.  That must be awful.  But as far as the nerve regeneration question, frankly, I have no idea.

What I would recommend that your doctor ask to be referred to a pain management specialist.  These doctors will make life for your mother a little better.  They can use different procedures such as injections, Radio Frequency Ablation and others along with medications to help with the pain.

I do wish you and your mother luck in finding answers and relief.  Surely another forum member will be along to give you better advice than I.

Again, welcome to our community.
Sara