Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Leg Pain 4 Months After Back Surgery?
Question: My granddaughter had back surgery 4 months ago, it was good for about 2 months now she can't use one leg without pain. She went back to the surgeon and the MRI looked good. He said she has a very pissed off nerve going down her leg. He put her on 10 days of cortisone pills which didn't do anything. She is 24, what now?
Brief Answer:
Time, patience and following data are required...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry for the situation your granddaughter is in.
You are saying that she had back surgery 4 months ago, and not she is having pain when using her leg.
To help you further, I need to know:
- why (diagnosis) she had the back surgery?
- has she a history of falling or any trauma after surgery? As she was good for the first 2 months, then, we need to find out what happened to her after these months to make her feel pain when moving the leg
- is the pain located in her leg or involving her back too?
As long as MRI is good, then, there is nothing worrisome regarding any possible nerve damage.
To my opinion, your granddaughter was under the effect of anesthesia during these first months after surgery that makes her not feeling the pain.
Now, as the anesthetic effect has been over, the nerves have passed to the normality. I want to know the primary problem with her back to see if the surgery has resolved this problem.
Another possible explanation is related to recovery time after surgery. If the nerve going down her leg was found pissed off by her surgeon, then, I would advise to go for physio-therapy too apart taking cortisone pills as advised by her surgeon.
She needs time to recover, neurological problems are very difficult to treat and need time and patience while recovering.
Looking forward to have the requested information in!
Dr.Albana
Time, patience and following data are required...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry for the situation your granddaughter is in.
You are saying that she had back surgery 4 months ago, and not she is having pain when using her leg.
To help you further, I need to know:
- why (diagnosis) she had the back surgery?
- has she a history of falling or any trauma after surgery? As she was good for the first 2 months, then, we need to find out what happened to her after these months to make her feel pain when moving the leg
- is the pain located in her leg or involving her back too?
As long as MRI is good, then, there is nothing worrisome regarding any possible nerve damage.
To my opinion, your granddaughter was under the effect of anesthesia during these first months after surgery that makes her not feeling the pain.
Now, as the anesthetic effect has been over, the nerves have passed to the normality. I want to know the primary problem with her back to see if the surgery has resolved this problem.
Another possible explanation is related to recovery time after surgery. If the nerve going down her leg was found pissed off by her surgeon, then, I would advise to go for physio-therapy too apart taking cortisone pills as advised by her surgeon.
She needs time to recover, neurological problems are very difficult to treat and need time and patience while recovering.
Looking forward to have the requested information in!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
