UNRELENTING!!! Spasms in calf, ankle locking!!

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello all,

I am new to this forum. I do have a question.

I had a 2 level decompression done at the L4-5, L5-S1 with Laminectomy at L5 in 2008. I have had no problems since.

Recently, I was playing ball and was taken out at 3rd base by someone sliding in. Immediately I felt pain in my low back.

For the last 2 days I have been experiencing the WORST spasms/cramps in my left calf,I mean, the excruciating, toe curling, leg contorting, wake you from a sound sleep screaming type of pain. I try to stretch it out etc but NOTHING helps it or stops it from happening!!! When it does happen, my ankle locks and I am not able to move it or lift it off the ground, sometimes it could take 3 minutes or this morning it took almost 25 mins for me to be able to move/use my left foot. It is really scaring me!!!

Has ANYONE ever had something like this happen to them? I know prior to my surgery I never had problems like this. Could this be related to the back injury? ANY ADVICE OR INFORMATION WOULD BE WONDERFUL!!!

Thank you in advance!!

CelticGyrl🍀

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Sounds very like a nerve issue. Did you have any drop foot or nerve pain prior to your last operation?
    • Posted

      I am currently experiencing sciatic type pain on my left side, that didn't start right away after my injury, I felt pain in my low back and left hip. But, 2 days after the injury I was at work and sneezed and it dropped me to my knees and that's when the sciatic pain started. Then it was about a week later that I started getting the calf spasms/cramps and the ankle 'locking' or whatever it's doing.

      Prior to my surgery I had the sciatic pain that went down my leg but it was all right sided, never experienced symptoms with muscle spasms in my leg either, I had them in my back but didn't even know it could happen in your legs.

      Is this something that I should be really worried about?? I talked to one of the doctors I work for and told him I was having these spasms and he gave me a muscle relaxant and told me to take magnesium. Neither of which are helping, it seems to be happening more frequently now.

      THANK YOU for your reply and I apologize for the long response!!

      Cheers🍀

      CelticGyrl

    • Posted

      I think you should seek some expert opinion. Try and get an MRI done. It really sounds like one of your discs have re-herniated and is pressing on a nerve. Having had a failed Discectomy/Laminectomy in 2012 I know how you feel. Currently waiting to see surgeon again. I get the pain you're getting in your hips and legs but not the spasms as I've been on diazepam long enough to stop them. You really need to see a specialist which I know can be a pain in the backside in the uk.
    • Posted

      I have drop foot which causes me to have bad foot and leg cramps I also had a L5 S1 fusion, but during the surgery it was failed, so I understand that cramping you don't know when it comes and you jumping out of bed and you can't even walking it off, I definitely would get it looked at.

      Cindy

    • Posted

      It's when your foot has no sensations and when they do a reflex test your foot it doesn't move due to nerve damage, I have it from my fusion, I would definitely get check.

      Take care

      Cindy

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