Hello-
I am 5-6 weeks post L5/S1 microdisctectomy for what the surgical notes indicated was a large herniation. Was in a lot of pain 9-10/10, neurological deficits, and muscle weakness prior.
Overall, things are going okay. I started PT at 2.5 weeks which was okay, the week 3.5 appointment some exercises were added that I think caused some discomfort. I have stopped those and just continued my walking and some of the lighter stretches that PT gave me.
For the most part I am doing okay pain wise, but for the past week or so, my calf has been bothering me. A little achy and painful. Flares up some when walking on the treadmill, but isn’t constant. Flares up some when sitting on a hard chair. My left calf (surgical side) is very atrophied. It is tender to the touch up by the attachment at the knee. Do you think this is indicative of a healing nerve root still? Or a nerve root that was irritated with some of the PT exercises? Also should note that I get achy feeling in my left hip occasionally when sitting in a hard chair.