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Nerve regeneration after hernia op

Posted , 7 users are following.

lesley73033
lesley73033

2 weeks ago I had a double inguinal hernia repair.  At the same time I had 3  layers of mesh put onto my inguinal ligament to strengthen it.

The day after the op I had a strong burning sensation in my thigh but not much pain at the op site.  The site itself was numb, as was best part of the upper part of my right leg.  Since then the burning pain has moved down to my knee which is swollen.  More worryingly, the place where one of my hernias was has become increasingly painful, as has the top of my thigh.

I'm wondering if this new pain is due to the nerves having healed enough to transmit it as these areas are no longer numb.  Or could it be something more sinister?  I am becoming more active now but I'm still taking codeine which I thought I'd be off by now

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • moandrieu
    moandrieu lesley73033

    Posted

    I had a different procedure and haven't had anything like this occure, so I can't really speak into it. But, I don't think it sounds good and I probably wouldn't be waiting for someone to comment here, I'd be headed to see a doctor. The fact that there is pain down to your knee and your knee is swollen can't be good. When you touch the painful/swollen area, is it hot to the touch - or at least warmer than other areas? Keep us posted on what you find out - as it may be helpful to someone else who is out there looking for answers.

     

    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 moandrieu

      Posted

      My knee is swollen, moandrieu but so was my thigh when I was discharged and the doctor said that it was because the nerves had been cut and were regenerating.  Neither my knee nor the incision site is warm but the skin is very sensitive.  It isn't red and doesn't look infected.  I intend to phone the hospital tomorrow.  Sunday is never a good day for mediacl advice 

      I'm just worried that I'm over reacting

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu lesley73033

      Posted

      I just had my umbilical hernia repaired laprascapicly on Wednesday. But in October, I had a double knee replacement (I'm a fine piece of work, I tell you). I had odd pains there that I didn't expect. Like you, not so much at the incision site (those are still fairly numb). But the pain and tightness of the nerves/muscles/whatever else figuring out what to do again was far worse than anything else I endured. So I do understand the questioning and wanting to know if you are over reacting. I've found little support online for hernia operations, and some sights downright freaked me out with all the negative responses. I hope you find some relief (both of body and mind) soon!
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 moandrieu

      Posted

      Thanks, I know what you mean about those sites!!  The muscles in my leg are also tight and it feels very heavy and odd.  Doctor said that there would be lots of bruising and nerve damage there because of what they did to my inguinal ligament.  Healing time for my other hernia surgeries was relatively quick and I wasn't exactly 100% by now but was a lot closer to it.  The pain from my hernia repair site is now a throbbing type pain and it wakes me up.  I really expected that to have receded but it might be because I had so much work done at the same time.

      I too am falling to bits haha. Fusion ops on my big toes are looking likely now.

  • Glennie68
    Glennie68 lesley73033

    Posted

    Hi Lesley,

    You are having a hard time of it! I think you will still be swollen inside from the op - I have been told by a few people that where my hiatus hernia repair is done, the swelling peaks about 2 weeks after the operation. I don't think it will harm having a chat with either the surgeons secretary or your doctor. I'd be getting the knee checked out just because of the swelling. You have had a pretty major operation - and hernia's that have been meshed, it's going to take time to settle down. Nerve damage takes longer to heal too - so I'd say you are doing well keeping as active as you can. Hopefully you will be much fitter in time for the summer!

    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 Glennie68

      Posted

      Thanks, Glennie.  Maybe my recall of recuperation from the previous surgery is faulty.  It'll be 2 weeks now so hopefully I'm on the mend.  I'm just hoping the knee swelling isn't anything to do with arthritis
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 lesley73033

      Posted

      Hi Lesley,

      I'm not a doctor - but I think you might be getting some fluid from your surgery shifting to you knee, Just thinking if you elevate your swollen leg and massage your knee it might help.

  • richard500
    richard500 lesley73033

    Posted

    Had mine nearly two years ago now and STILL get some unpleasant pains.  Admittedly the frequency and degree of discomfort are both reducing but I still have the added pain in my testicles as well as a continued numbness in the groin and area over the patch.  I pray that all this will end soon! 
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 richard500

      Posted

      That's a long time!  I hope things improve for both of us.  recovery from my previous hernia surgeries was relatively quick.
  • lesley73033
    lesley73033

    Posted

    Well, apparently it's lymphedema.  My white blood cells are having problems moving  around because of the trauma of the surgery.  It should right itself with time and there's nothing I can do to help but it's something else that I wish I hadn't googled haha.
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu lesley73033

      Posted

      That doesn't sound good at all. And I'm so with you on wishing I hadn't googled stuff. But sometimes the knowing can be better than what our minds conjure up, no? At least there's an explanaition of sorts.
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 moandrieu

      Posted

      GP says it's nothing to worry about and just to keep an eye on it.  Google told me otherwise.  You'd think I'd have learned by now!
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