Tue, 11/03/2009 - 16:54
post op from plif on l5 s1
Hey guys does anyone else have a sleepy foot? since I woke up from surgery my left foot has been asleep?
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I had the plif on weds. the 28th of oct.
had this surgery yet but I do know that after any surgery that nerves are involved with you may experience different sensations and feelings that may seem odd. You are still very early in the recovery process but if you are concerned about it you may want to check with your surgeon to be sure. Good luck and keep us posted.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
You can check with your surgeon, but chances are, he/she will tell you that the nerves were stretched during surgery and it will take some time for them to calm down...or the spinal nerve was compressed and it will take awhile for the nerve to recover. Nerves heal VERY slowly...it can take up to one year, and sometimes longer if the nerve has been compressed for a period of time prior to surgery.
I gather you did not have this symptom prior to surgery?
It is frustrating to awaken from surgery with a new pain you didn't have before...but usually, they are temporary. It may not go away quickly, but it usually will eventually resolve.
If you are able, you might want to do ankle pumps, ankle circles and just bend and flex your foot at the ankle several times each day. If nothing else, it will keep freshly oxygenated blood flowing to your foot.
You are very early in your recovery. You will feel all sorts of different sensations during the next two to three months. Try to be patient and realize you had a BIG surgery, and it will take time to heal.
Try to take it a day at a time, walk and rest, walk and rest. Those are your most important "jobs" for the next several weeks!
Gwennie
spondylolisthesis at L4-5; stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5
radiculopathy for about 3 years
PLIF (L4-L5)in Jan '08 (PEEK cage, rods & Screws, BMP); continued radiculopathy....
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan '09; continued radiculopathy;
Bulging discs L3-4 & L5-S1; crazy screwed-up S1 nerve
***** I have no medical training and am in no way connected with the medical profession, other than doing my part to keep them at full employment. My posts are based on personal experience and knowledge gained through the adventures of living. Take them for what they are worth....
hi and welcome to the forum.
we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can. thanks for stopping by. 
good luck with your recovery. Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
I called the surgeon yesterday and they did say that with the moving the nerves this is common. It just really drives me nuts with it felling this way. So i will just walk,sleep and pray. everyone have a great painless or as much as it can be day.