Posted , 5 users are following.
Two and 1/2 months out of surgery. Extreme weakness in both legs. Foot drop in both feet. Also right arm weakness. Rehab and PT was done, with no great results. Can not lift up off toilet, keeping homebound. I would like to know what is going to happen.
1 like, 12 replies
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scott17436 marianne77863
Posted
Hi Marianne,
You seem to have started Physio very quickly after surgery. I only started Physio at week 10 after a double ALIF. Now stopped due to extremely poor results and setting me back weeks.
I'd be getting yourself back to your surgeon ASAP. Something isn't right. Do you have any pain along with weakness and foot drop?
I have pain along the belt line, numbness in left thigh and stabbing pain in bum. But I think the latter was set off by my Physio not treating me right. Crunches to strengthen the corse 3 months after double fusion???? I haven't done crunches in 10 years due to my knackered back.
You need to get it checked, I'd get myself to A&E or ER depending where you live.
marianne77863 scott17436
Posted
cynthia70714 marianne77863
Posted
Marianne77863,
I feel you, you are a little bit worse than I , sorry to say. I had a discetomy which screwed up my left side of nerves so the doc tried to fix it when he went in for the fusion S1-L5 and he tried to do an ganglionectomy( I was having bad burning sensation down my left leg and foot felt like a torch burning my foot) and it stop the burning but I ended up with nerve damage to my left side and drop foot, now I did the Nevro stimulator which failed and i will find out what's going on in October I have an appointment him, they even tried to turn on the stimulator so I would get vibration but that made me hurt even more, muscles that didn't hurt now hurt, it's so upsetting cause I've been going through this pain since I was 25 and now I'm 45 so I've been living in such pain ever since, I do feel your frustration, but I'm not sure what the next move will be for you, but don't forget you are still healing it takes longer than 2 .5 months before your fusion to heal up, try and stay positive and please let your doctor know what's going on. Please let the dr know that you are not doing so well, we are hear to vent or talk to if you have questions we will always try and help you out as best as we can, and please keep us updated on your progress.
Take care of yourself and let your dr know what's going on
Cynthia ( Cindy) usa
marianne77863 cynthia70714
Posted
scott17436 marianne77863
Posted
6 weeks and you are dismissed??? That's not right. I'm with an Ortho and I saw him at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and will see him again in October to see how the fusion is taking and growing. Seems like a right sod of a surgeon you had. Where you based?
marianne77863 scott17436
Posted
scott17436 marianne77863
Posted
Are you on insurance?? I'm in the UK so I know it's a different system offer the pond.
cynthia70714 scott17436
Posted
I agree 100% with you, way to soon tk be dropped from everything she should be s getting assessed.
Cynthia
marianne77863 scott17436
Posted
jeff34345 marianne77863
Posted
Marianne,
Can you explain more about what happened in your surgery? Why did you have a laminectory and fusion?
If these are new symptoms then you should probably be seen by and neurologist so they can assess you. If you can, you should go to a teaching hospital that is associated with a Univeristy as they often have the most up to date and modern facilities and often deal with more cases of people with neurological issues.
Good luck and you'll be in my thoughts.
marianne77863 jeff34345
Posted
I started with a limp in the left leg approximately 6 months ago. It was getting a lot worse as the months went by. In March, I went to see a Neurologist. He did an EMG, and had an MRI done of the lower lumbar. Diagnosis for the EMG was negative. The MRI showed Spinal Stenosis. Went to Neurosurgeon and he said there is nothing that he could do. I was being treated for a broken foot with Orthopedics Specialists. The doctor said that my left leg was alot worse. He recommended having another EMG. It was a bad report. He introduced me to the surgeon. I was told that I would lose all movement in the left leg, without surgery. He also said that my leg may not come back. The surgery was done on June 9, 2016. The doctor wanted to see me after 2 weeks to remove 17 staples. He saw me at 6 weeks to take an X-ray of the spine. He said everything looked great. He had me walk down the hall. He said I needed aggressive PT to get the back healed. If I didn't walk that the back surgery will be in vain. I went to Rehab for a week, after surgery. I went to PT 3 times a week for a month. It cost 40.00 a visit out of pocket. I could not afford to continue. I am doing the exercises at home. I asked the Physician Assistant whether the doctor wanted me to come back. I fell outside and could not get up. My legs are growing weaker everyday. Last night I had to call 911 to help me get from a chair to my wheelchair. They helped me to go to the bathroom, and get into the bed. My legs did not work. My husband has Dementia and is of little help to me.
helen04147 marianne77863
Posted
I am not sure what kind of Dr you saw but almost everything just sounds so wrong. I live in NJ and 8 weeks ago I had spinal fusion, decompression, and something else I do not remember the proper name for. Before I had it I spent about 22 hrs a day in bed. If these are new problems you need to go to a new Dr if the other one won't help you. You mention a wheelchair and that the Dr is pushing walking. Is the wheelchair new? PT is not given usually until around 6 weeks so to have it early is not right. I will say walking is the best thing to do. 10 days after my surgery I started walking. It took me almost 30 minutes to go 1/4 a mile. I kept at it everyday farther and now walk 5 miles most day but at least 3. It was hard at first and went a little farther( counting light post) each day. If this Dr cannot or won't help you lodge a complaint with the state. He will have to address it. Good Luck