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
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.
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.
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.
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
I also had back surgery
And yes sometimes my foot pain is so much that I just want to cut it off
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.
Im having terrible feet pain after ALIF surgery. Its been 2 months will i ever experience relief?
Joe did you ever find any help I need some relief in a very bad way!.
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.
what was the verdict? its been 3 years for me (l5-s1) and the stabbing pain in my left foot is driving me insane.....
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.
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I had surgery for a herniated disc on this last March 10th. 3 weeks after surgery, I developed a stabbing sensation in the toes. At first, it was only when I would lay down. Now it's all the time intermittently. Standing, walking, sitting, laying down.
My doctor INSISTS it is only temporary. I am now 7 weeks into this horrible pain and nothing works to remove it! Was on Gabapentin but it did nothing. Some nights I don't even sleep 10 minutes. Has anyone else had this and what did you do for it?
It says here that "Back surgery has some risks, including nerve damage, and the chance that the surgery won't relieve your symptoms. And even if you get better with surgery, there is a chance that you may get new symptoms in the future. " www.uofmhealth.org/
As I understand it, such surgery is usually prescribed when a person has severe pain that interferes with normal activities and other methods of treatment do not help. If you try to compare with the pain you had before the surgery, and what you feel now, then this stabbing sensation is not so painful?
I understand that you are wondering if something similar has happened to others. Here a man describes tingling in his toes two weeks after back surgery virginiafamilychiropractic.com/
Answer: "yes what you are explaining called radiculopathy. Each nerve of the lumbar spine goes down what is called a dermatome. A dermatome is a distribution area where you feel sensation innervated by the nerve. When there is nerve damage between L4 and L5 you will particularly feel the dermatome down the inner leg and the big toes. In addition patellar reflexes will be diminished and the muscle weakness will be felt lifting the great toes. "
I think you need to get the opinion of several doctors.
