Hello everyone,
I am 8 weeks post op L4-S1. Since surgery I have had tightness and cramping in both legs especially left calf/foot. The tighness has gotten less over the weeks and I did develope the severe burning and sensitivity in my left calf/foot about 4 weeks post op.(taking neurotin)

Since surgery my left calf has been continuosly tight and contracting. When I stand it charliehorses on me and burns. This has gotten better over the weeks. I can stand for longer than 2 minutes, now about 5-7 minutes. It aches all the time though. Feels kinda like a tooth ache throbbing. My calf since surgery has been very tender (the muscles) Like Im working out and using it for 2 months now. I even noticed in the shower that my muscle that runs on the outside of my calf is bulging out.

Do the damaged nerves make muscles contract? What would the long term effects of a muscle contracting all the time be? I have full use of my leg and foot,and reflexes, there is activity all the time going on in my left calf and foot. My leg is sooo TIRED:yawn:

Surgeon did a ct scan to make sure no hardware was touching nerves. He said it wasnt likely because he uses uses realtime x-ray and checks before he closes.

Any nerve 101 course info or experiences would be very helpful to me right now.
Thanks
Sheri

Hiya, I do know that nerve damage can make your muscle contract as I have nerve damage and the muscle that contracts on me is the one in my butt, its the pirimorfmis muscle and its a pain. The other pain I have is the groin pain as well as the sciatic nerve pain down the calf around the ankle. My last surgery was in Jan of 04, I had to take baby steps two steps and had to sit. I didn't have fusion, I had a micro d and it reherniated about 6 weeks later.

Good luck,
Joe