Burning Sensation in legs and waist post surgery

[Narnold]

Hello:

My sister is a little over 4 weeks post sugery. She has actually made great progress and is able to walk with a walker but is dealing with proprioception issues since she has numbness/loss of feeling in her legs and waist.

Has anyone had a loss of sensation/numbness in your legs, did it come back, if so, how long did take?

Also, Has anyone dealt with a constant burning sensation in their legs after surgery (she had no burning sensations pre-surgery)? if so, did the pain ever ease up/did you find a way to control/deal with it? From what I understand - the burning in the legs is the nerves trying to "come back togerther" and "repair."

Any insight would be helpful and appreciated.

Thanks,
Nicole

[Deborah]

After surgery, my lower half felt electrified...like all the cells were swirling and swimming in an ocean with big waves. I could literally feel constant motion inside my legs. It didn't burn, per se, but it was very uncomfortable. I was told the same, that it was sensation returning. Think about a time your leg or hand has "fallen asleep" and the sensations you felt as it woke up. That is somewhat similar, although post-surgery was on a much more massive scale. It's supposed to be a very good, encouraging sign. :-)

[Narnold1225]

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for replying. Your insight is very helpful. Just one more questions About how long did it take for those electrifying feelings to subside or at least lessen?

Thanks,
Nicole

[tpowell5497]

I find it hard to describe my pain. When I first woke from surgery I was on so much pain medicine I didn't at first notice but the next day when trying to understand any of what was going on I thought my right entire leg was freezing. No amount of covers would warm it. Eventually I was able to describe it as being so freezing cold it burns. So now I wonder if I should just say it burns. Anyways, the same leg, the pain increases when touched. Even the slightest touch. Like a knife cutting thru me. Stinging too!! This pain is really at to top of threshold to what I can bare. I am not a big medicine taker. If I could find something that would help I would take it just haven't found anything. I am not willing to take a barrage of pills that make me loopy. I have 4 children that still depend on me to be their mother and no amount of pain will stop me from being that. I have in the early stages of post surgery wished I could cut off my legs but I do realize that is not rational thinking.

[jasonohio]

I had very slight numbness in my feet and legs prior to surgery. However, surgery caused significant loss of sensation in my lower body.

I am now 2.5 years out from surgery, and I would say my sensation has improved very little over that time (I'm sorry to say). My legs and feet tingle, tremble, and zing all the time. I agree this is the body's attempt to heal, but I honestly just wish it would stop.

I guess the bad news is that the loss of sensation has not improved. But the good news is that I have totally adapted to the new sensations. I do everything I did before, just with a numb body (I'm numb all over from the neck down).

I occasionally have the burning sensation too, but not often.

[Rena]

I am currently 13 weeks post-op from removing a spinal cord tumor at C6, C7, T1. I am numb from my arm pits down. I can feel a dull sence of heat and cold, and know where my legs are if I or someone moves them. But I do not have shallow or deep tissue sensation. I can make my legs move and walk with some bobbles and trips, but at lease I can walk.
My neurosurgeon said that the nerves can take years to recover and regenerate (at the rate of 1 millimeter per day), of they are nerves outside of your spinal cord itself. If they damage is inside your spinal cord, it is permanent damge.
I hope the burning sensation is the nerves coming back. I am sending all the healing vibes I can to help with coping with the pain and the frustration of it all. Get well soon and keepus posted.

[m1ta]

I was in a somewhat similar condition to your sister after my surgery which was 13 months ago. I would say the nerve pains in my legs (the right leg is the worst) have improved, but very slowly. Overall I would say they have improved 40% or so, but I imagine some if it is just me getting used to the feeling.

I find if I keep my socks on and keep my feet warm things are much better.

[Lakshmi]

I had spine surgery (D7), after which I have lost all sensations from waist down, including loss of urine and motion control. This has been devastating, since we were not told of this eventuality before the surgery. The Orthopaedic says that I will recover fully, and be able to walk normally, but I do not know whether he is being honest or just trying to motivate me. Would appreciate inputs in this regard.

[Guest]

I'm sorry that you were surprised with the outcome of your surgery. It happened to me too. I was told that I would not have any motor losses after my ependymona removal. My surgeon was shocked that I couldn't move my left leg after waking. He had been monitoring my nerve conduction throughout the procedure . And he lost my left leg after 8 hrs ( not sure why he was surprised that it was paralyzed?). In any case , it came back after a few weeks and has recovered slowly. It's still not the same but I can walk with a limp now. Don't give up hope yet . You are in my prayers.

[Henry]

Almost seven years after lower back fusion, thighs still feel like they are on fire. Dr. just continues to try different medication and strengths. Nothing helps. Have to knock myself out will sleeping pills to get rest. 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a rarity. I fell like I would have been better off not having the spinal fusion. I hurt worse now.