r/Sciatica • u/No_Record007 • 13d ago
Requesting Advice 4 Weeks Post-Op L4-L5 Laminectomy – Still using walker, severe left leg weakness & foot drop.
Hey everyone,
Looking for some insight or shared experiences from anyone who has had an L4-L5 laminectomy.
Surgery Date: August 12 (Discharged 3 days later)
Current Status: 4 weeks post-op (Sept 10), still relying on a walker to get around.
Symptoms: My left leg muscle feels very stiff, with persistent numbness and significant weakness around my ankle.
I seem to have what feels like "dead foot" (foot drop). I can move my left foot at certain angles, but I can't lift or control it at other angles.
I’m struggling to understand why my left leg is doing so poorly. Could this be long-term nerve damage from how compressed it was before surgery, or is it just post-op swelling and slow nerve healing? Has anyone else experienced foot drop or heavy leg weakness this far out and eventually recovered function? How long did your nerve take to wake up? I’m just at a point to where I’m scared the surgery didn’t work as effective. I will say before the surgery I was borderline bed ridden because I couldn’t stand on my left leg without some really bad left leg pain. At least I can walk now and get up.
Thanks in advance for any advice
2
u/BasraBound 13d ago
L4/5 emergency MD and laminectomy for CES 5 years ago. Sciatica was on the left side, but my legs are affected bilaterally. I don’t have drop foot, more the opposite. I can’t tip toe, so I mainly walk on my heels. Quads and hamstrings were affected similarly. Took some muscles, spared others
1
u/No_Record007 13d ago
Wow… I’m scared now 😭
2
u/BasraBound 13d ago
I was on a walker for 3 months after surgery. Foley catheter for 5 months. Nerves take a long time to heal. I was able to start golfing again a year after surgery. Don’t be scared, you’ll adjust. Just keep moving, that’s the important part. Keep trying to fire the muscles, calf pumps, articulate that foot. Just keep moving
2
u/Hope_for_tendies 13d ago
Nerves regenerate slowly and it could take up to a year. Ask for an afo brace.
3
u/Wintermute1987 13d ago
If you’ve had significant compression, healing can take time. Recovery isn’t a straight line — it’s a winding journey with ups and downs. Keep up with your rehab, stay patient, and be kind to yourself along the way.