Post-op, 18 and 19 weeks

Well, the pain in my knees and ankles has pretty much leveled off to a very uncomfortable state. I've had to return to full doses of percoset to keep it in check. I saw my PM Doctor today and he basically informed me that there is good news and bad news.

Good News - the burning on the top of my feet is an indication that those nerves are finally healing. He said I probably have a couple more months of the burning before it settles down all together. Unfortunately, nerves do not heal quickly and this is just a new stage in the healing process.

Bad News - the knee and ankle pain is also nerve pain. Because these symptoms are new, he thinks it may be some scar tissue forming in my back causing the problem. I'm gonna have to wait it out and see what my body does for the time being. He told me that I'll probably have to do an MRI and an EMG in February once everything has a chance to run its course and settle down. In the mean time he prescribed Lyrica for the nerve pain.

My back has been doing great lately. I get a little sore if I sit to long and after a long day. When they say recovery for this surgery is 6 months to a year, they aren't joking.

Post-op, 17 weeks

Everything has been going pretty good this week except for the last couple of days. I've been experiencing an increased amount of burning/ache/pain in my ankle and knee joints the past couple of days. I was kind of chalking it up to the crazy weather being warm then cold.... This evening the symptoms are a little different and I have noticed that both my ankles and my knees are slightly swollen. Not a lot of swelling but the stupid pain is spiking at a very high level right now and the percs aren't helping. The funny part of this is that my back seems to be holding its own. Its a little more sore than usual but thats about it.

My routine hasn't changed, so I really don't understand why this is happening. I'll be contacting the Doctor tomorrow to find out what this new development means.

Post-op, 16 weeks

Anti-inflammatory meds have been making thinks much better lately. Knees and ankles don't hurt as much in the evening. Feeling came back in my right foot briefly on Saturday while I was driving. That really hurt. Every nerve in my big toe fired at one time. Numbness is back but the fact that it came back briefly gives me hope that it will eventually come back all the way. Went to the dentist today and survived sitting in the dreaded chair while I got a temporary crown. Now my face feels like my left foot.