Hi I have a friend who had back surgery in October. He is male and 35 years of age. His surgery went well, however recently he has had a lot of hip pain. His hips have been popping when he wakes up and starts moving. We are wondering if there is further deterioration. Yesterday and Today he has been complaining that he has pain and numbness down the back of his left leg to the back of his left knee as well as numbness in the toes of his left foot. This is actually, similar to the original pain he felt prior to surgery but not as painful. Should we go to the ER now or should we wait to speak with his original physician in the morning? We are not sure what to do. Thank you.

What kind of surgery was it?

You wait to contact his doctor. The ER is for Emergencies, and I don't view this as life threatening.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What kind of surgery was it?

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It was back surgery on his L1 and L2/S5.. they had to take pressure off the nerve and vertebra by manipulating a nerve. That is my understanding anyway...

Will a fluffy pillow under his knees while he is lying flat help the pain and numbness?

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Originally Posted by J_9

You wait to contact his doctor. The ER is for Emergencies, and I don't view this as life threatening.

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Ok thank you. He is extremely uncomfortable for him to even be complaining. He never complains. But I tend to agree with you. I would rather speak with his doctor in the morning rather than wait in the ER for hours, as well as the likely-hood of being told by the ER to speak with his doctor anyway. Haha. Thank you. : )

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Will a fluffy pillow under his knees while he is lying flat help the pain and numbness?

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Very good suggestion. That was helping originally. I had bought him a special rounded and easily manipulated pillow for Christmas that he was using... he has not been using it because he had been feeling better. I will see if that will help tonight and call his doctor (surgeon) in the morning. Thank you.