jaydar

I'm not sure if it's too soon to be concerned.Had 2 level laminectomy fusion with metal spacer and rods and screws at L4-L5 and discectomy,decompression with Dynesys flexible stabilization at L3-L4 which has flexible cords and pedicle screws.

Each day has seemed to be better than the day before but two days ago I began getting sciatic type pain from the buttock to the ankle on left leg with numbness at the big toe and next toe.

It came on kind of subtly but has been getting really intense.It is mostly the worst when I wake up and get out of bed where the back of the thigh and the calf and the bottom of my left foot is excruciating.

I was given a binder at the hospital which is really just an elastic wrap secured with velcro....and it adds some stability but it always needs adjusting because it scrunches up.

So I had a Boston Brace made 8 years ago in anticipation of fusion surgery back then...that never happened.It was custom fitted...and since that time my body shape has changed...and I think initially it was never correctly fitted anyway.

So I got some heavy duty scizzors and began trimming this brace and finally got it to where It fit better than when it was first made.

It helps with the sciatic pain within minutes.

My question is.......is it common to be feeling so good for a couple of weeks right after surgery and then suddenly begin having intense pain like this several weeks later?

Should I be concerned about a problem with the screws...or maybe a piece of disc maybe was missed and is floating inside?

Is this typical? I'm not sure if the procedures I had would have required manipulations of the nerve roots.

I see the doctor again in 2 weeks.Should I just chill and do the best I can to deal with this until then....or should I call and ask to see him....maybe have an xray and a ct? I know I couldn't handle an hour long mri right now.