| 10 weeks post L5, SI discectomy
I am 10 weeks post hemilaminectomy/discectomy of the L5, S1 disk. Within hours of surgery, I noticed that I had muscle weakness or deficit on the ball of my left foot (the big toe is relatively strong, but the small toes are weak). I can and do exercise with a theraband. I walk with a noticeable limp. Otherwise, my gait is slower, but I can and do walk 3-4 kms at a stretch.
My question is, can muscle deficit be recovered? If so, how long does it take. I am scheduled to have an EMG in about 5 days. What will it show? The the fact that I have some strength mean that I more likely to recover the rest or some of the rest.
Also, I have swelling and some pain in my left calf and numbness, tightness around the left ankle, side and bottom of my left foot. At times, especially at night, the pain in my left foot will inhibit sleep. I was taking neurotin and found it didn't help much. Generally, I sleep best on my right side, sometimes with a pillow tucked between my knees.
Regards, Stan
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