[elise]

#35195

Hello Dr Corenman,

Elise here, 34 (female). I had a microdiscectomy 3 weeks ago and immediately after my surgery there was relief of sciatica pain from my left foot. Two or three days after, the nerve tingling reappeared in the left foot but I was told by the medical team that operated on me that it’s to be expected and it will take a few weeks up to 6 months to go away completely. I was also going on moderate walks (not too short not too long) and they were going well, painless for the most part. I was getting some inflammation in either buttock and thigh after. I was also told that I can start driving 2 weeks post-op so I took a 1.5 hour ride (with two stops) 19 days post op which was 3 days ago and ever since my left side is acting out. I have felt inflammation in my let side, waist, hip, buttock and thigh. I have been icing it, in the hopes that it will go away. Do you think that the drive might have reherniated my disc? Or do you think that what I am feeling is caused by something else?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35198

Recurrent herniation is unlikely due to the lack of severity of your symptoms. You might have a seroma (a collection of fluid that acts as a mass). Give it some time to resolve but if the symptoms are disagreeable, you can ask your surgeon for an oral steroid which can be quite helpful.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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