Two years ago, I had surgery on my back. A discectomy for 3 herniated discs, L4 L5, and S1. My back has been fine since so it seems it was a success.
There is only one lingering problem. For the past 2 years my left foot has had a stinging sensation that is very bothersome. It comes and goes in severity and some days I can't hardly feel it at all. But when it is acting up it is pretty painful.
It is on the outside of my left heel and the skin seems to be very sensitive. Back when I had the surgery and this problem lingered the neurosurgeon's office said it is probably just the nerves waking up and had been aggravated. They said 6 months, maybe a year worst case for this to go away.
It's now been 2 years and is driving me insane. Anyone have any ideas? Also, it is worse if I have had alcohol the night before. As if hangovers weren't bad enough already now their accompanied by sharp stinging sensation in my foot.
By Joe from MA
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Sounds like to me that one of your nerves has been damaged. I would go back to your doctor or even ask a second opion. You may want to seek out Physical Therapy to see if they could help with your pain.
A podiatrist may offer some help with your pain.
Go back to your doctor, and see if they can explain &/or treat your problem. Other things to try -- a chiropractor, a reflexologist, a massage therapist, possibly try acupuncture.
I have similar pain in my extremities after back surgery. I find that Lyrica - the drug proscribed for fibromyalgia - has helped me.
I agree that physical therapy with acupuncture and something like Neurontin or Lyrica should ease the pain. I have had nearly 2 years of pain that, after much trial and error, is starting to be eased by Lyrica.
My best friend had severe side pain after she had surgery to remove a kidney to donate--she had to be put on Neurontin for a while.
You need to see your doctor. If that doctor won't help, then see another one, maybe the one that did your surgery. God bless you. Chronic pain is hard to live with.
More than two years sounds excessive to me. Have that surgeon double-check whether a nerve is pinched. Get a second opinion if the first doc blows you off.
Thanks all for the responses. Just like I figured, I need to go back and get checked out by the doc. Only reason I haven't yet is cause I moved right after the surgery, but I am heading back there for a few weeks. I thought maybe someone with the same ailment or maybe a neurologist could give me something to do in the mean time. Thanks again.
Joe did you ever find any help I need some relief in a very bad way!.
what was the verdict? its been 3 years for me (l5-s1) and the stabbing pain in my left foot is driving me insane.....
Tessie.angelle how are u today. Im 6 weeks post op, and about 5 days ago I've been having sharp stabbing pain in the bottom of my right foot, at times its so bad I want to cry. Doctor sent over a Anti-inflammatory a 6 day pack of pills, been on for 5 days and they a8nt helping, im getting really scared.
I know this way past your post but i found it interesting. I too have had your same surgery. L4x2, L5x2, S1x1 for a total of five surgeries. The foot, toe pain was diagnosed as fasciitis and was due to my altered gait during the painful period both pre and post surgery.
I also had back surgery
And yes sometimes my foot pain is so much that I just want to cut it off
Noticed that you mentioned alcohol. I also have foot pain after back surgery. I have come to realize that synovial fluids (the fluids which lubricate joints) are diminished with the use of alcohol. You may try a chondroitin supplement, but lowering the alcohol intake seems to work best for me. And yes, I still have foot pain.
Sounds like gout if it follows a night of drinking alcohol
I do not want to addd to the depresion alredy in place from the suffering from stinging and painful intermittant discomfort. I have had 5 opertions since the 1990's and up until today I suffer from left foot and lower leg stinging-much like a bee sting evevy few seconds and ocasionla ssharp pain. It is hell on earth to be plin. Doctors are full of s---t believe me they cn put you in hell but have no way or explanation of why and how you suffer or how to help you out now that they put you in hell in the forst place. sorry for all of you, sorry.......lamorelli@yahoo.com
Hello I had back surgery 2 months ago L5 S1 fusion
And my right leg from knee down to my foot
Hurts really bad
I guess as I read online lots of people complain about foot pain after surgery
Im having terrible feet pain after ALIF surgery. Its been 2 months will i ever experience relief?
I had the same exact surgery Dec 23, 2019. I have pain in my left foot mostly. I was having shooting stinging pain but it's a little better. I have read that many have leg and foot nerve pain after back surgery. I hope it goes away because I didn't have this before and it keeps me up most of the night. I have my 3 mo check up this Friday and will definitely bring this up. I hope you get better and I feel your pain. Pun intended.
I just had spinal surgery on L4 L5 and S1 about three week ago I have note that my right foot cant feel it, its feeling numb and very heavy. My doctor said give it Time.
I have experienced foot, toe and leg pain and numbness. Some nights I cant sleep. It has been 2 years.
It took a while, like months, but I got most of my feeling back in my leg and foot. But I am dealing with the shooting pain in my toes now.
I feel the same extremely painful bee sting every minute in my heel on left foot mostly at night and evenings after walking. It makes sleeping very difficult and the skin of my heel is very sensitive to say the least. Its been 4 months post discectomy for me which seemed to 100% help my back. Now I am living with severe heel pain... I see by the comments Im not the only one but at same time it also seems to be uncommon and difficult to describe to people who think muscle strengthening is the answer only. The nerve makes even walking difficult and its not consistent enough in the day that everyone assumes youre fine now so why are you complaining. One day Im walking well but Im agonizing pain all evening and the next Im limping. Its a roller coaster of a pain journey. If you get relief with anything particular I would be curious to know.
I am having stabbing pain in my toes after a microdiscectomy/laminectomy. My doctor INSISTS it is temporary but it's been 7 weeks and no drug relieves it!
Some night I don't even sleep 10 minutes.
Are you still having this issue? Because I had a microdiscectomy/laminectomy March 10th and it feels like someone is stabbing my toes with an icepick. My surgeon wants to do more surgery! Nothing relieves this pain. Did you get relief from it?
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