TLIF surgery has left me with pain and tingling in my foot.

Posted by primmrose @primmrose, Jan 7 1:48pm

I had TLIF surgery in March 2024, I am left with pain in the arch and top of my foot above the arch, big toe is always tingling and painful. I can't walk on pavement or cement which causes me to have to use a handicap cart at the store. I feel really bad using one but the pain from those floors is really, really bad. Has anyone else experienced such after having Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion?

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dwill2152 | @dwill2152 | Jan 12 9:49am

I have a sensation under toes on right foot that feels like a clump of sand under toes. Neuropathy upper right leg.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 12 10:38am

@primmrose Welcome to Connect. Don’t feel bad about using a special grocery cart. It’s there to help. I am a cervical spine surgery patient. I was at the store in my neck brace a few months after surgery a couple times and people were offering to reach things for me. It was nice that they cared.

I also years later, fractured my ankle and I had the feeling similar to @dwill2152 like there was something under my foot and tingling in my toes. That came from the swelling from the injury or damage during the injury. It did resolve eventually, and if I get tingling again, I know to check to see if my ankle is locked and not moving well.

How long has it been since your surgery? If it’s recent, you would have inflammation that can put pressure on nerves near the spine. I hope it gets better.

primmrose | @primmrose | Jan 13 1:34pm

I had surgery March 26, 2024. I saw spine doctor who did the surgery on me a few months ago and he told me that all this would stop about a year after surgery. I saw my foot doctor a couple weeks ago and he said it would be a life long thing. I'm so confused, I don't know if this is going to be a life long thing or not. My GP said he's never seen anyone have this after having a TLIF ( transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion). I just want the pain and tingling to stop. The podiatrist said the nerve may have gotten damaged during surgery. I don't know if I can live with this pain and the brace for day and another one for night.

primmrose | @primmrose | Jan 13 1:57pm

In reply to @dwill2152 "I have a sensation under toes on right foot that feels like a clump of sand..." + (show)

I have it in my right foot. It is really annoying. The left side is where I had the TLIF.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 13 10:26pm

In reply to @primmrose "I had surgery March 26, 2024. I saw spine doctor who did the surgery on me..." + (show)

@primmrose It sounds your doctors are guessing. They are responding based on average patient recovery. Don’t let them take away your hope. Sometimes things just take a lot longer to heal. I had some aggravated nerves caused by a spinal injection that took about a year and a half to resolve itself. I know it’s hard to wait and wonder, but staying hopeful helps prevent negative feelings.