HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

I Had A Lumbar Laminectomy On Oct. 7. I’m Almost

default
Posted on Fri, 18 Dec 2020
Question: I had a lumbar laminectomy on Oct. 7. I’m almost 7 weeks post op. I have also been doing PT. Now I can barely sit and lay down. The pain is excruciating near my incision and lower left of my back. I can’t cross my legs when I lie down because my back hurts so much. There is pain in my leg and my foot feels week again. I’m so afraid something is wrong. I just feel it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I think you should postpone the physical therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query.

If no new neurological symptoms such as numbness, pain down the leg(s), restricted walking, problems with urination, etc. you should not be worried about anything serious.

Some patients take a couple of months to recover after laminectomy.

Since you are in pain I think you should postpone the physical therapy for now.

Use painkillers for few days such as ibuprofen, ketoprofene, diclofenac, etc.

Get checked by your Doctor for any inflammatory process around the wound, check your body temperature also.

If no improvement in few days consider doing an MRI of your lumbar spine.

Discuss with your Doctor these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4494 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Neurologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
I Had A Lumbar Laminectomy On Oct. 7. I’m Almost

Brief Answer: I think you should postpone the physical therapy. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service. I have read your query. If no new neurological symptoms such as numbness, pain down the leg(s), restricted walking, problems with urination, etc. you should not be worried about anything serious. Some patients take a couple of months to recover after laminectomy. Since you are in pain I think you should postpone the physical therapy for now. Use painkillers for few days such as ibuprofen, ketoprofene, diclofenac, etc. Get checked by your Doctor for any inflammatory process around the wound, check your body temperature also. If no improvement in few days consider doing an MRI of your lumbar spine. Discuss with your Doctor these issues. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.