It certainly could be a recurrent herniation but one fact against that is the lack of pain when you hamstring stretch (stretch your nerve root). You could have a seroma or hematoma (collection of serous fluid or blood causing local compression). The nerve could simply be swollen. This is where an MRI comes in handy. This imaging study can be very revealing even at this early date. Gadolinium is very helpful to understand the imaging at an early time after surgery.
The technique to try and prevent scar from attaching to the nerve root called “nerve flossing”. Hamstring stretches (carefully) after surgery should move the root and prevent the scar from adhering the root down to the disc space.
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.
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.