Does this sound like nerve damage??

[dazedanddelusional]

Hello,

I had open pelvic surgery in January. The area is still pretty numb to the touch but I also get pain in it that is like squeezing type sensation. I'm not in constant pain - it comes and goes. This pain sometimes radiates to my thigh.

Does this sound like nerve damage?

I've spoken to my doctor who doesn't know and my surgeon says I should only have superficial pain.

It does seem to get worse after I've done a lot of physical work.

Anyone pls??

Sorry to hear about your troubles. If your doctors don’t know what it is I think Mumsnet will struggle to help, but I can say with confidence that if something around your lower back region is pressing on the sciatic nerve, that can cause pain radiating deep in the thigh which comes and goes, depending on what movement your spine is doing and how inflammed the nerve has got. Any numbness / tingling of foot at all? That often goes with it.

So if I had to guess, I would say it sounds like the sciatic nerve is inflamed because something upset your lower back during surgery. The good news is that if it is sciatic nerve inflammation, it should usually heal on its own. If you get it on both sides that is much more serious, have a google of causa equina if that happens.

To calm that nerve; walking is good, jogging bad. Sleeping on back or side is good, especially with pillow between knees, sleeping on front is bad but I guess you probably aren’t.

It could also be something I haven’t heard of 😬

@Apl

Thanks for replying.

I don't have any pain in my lower back - the surgery was in my groin. No numbness or tingling foot. I do wonder if the nerve in my groin is inflamed though like you've suggested...it was in my inguinal/femoral region..

Interesting regarding sleep... I start out sleeping on side with a pillow between my legs but always end up on my front! I wonder if this is irritating it further.

Thanks for your helpful advice! It's just difficult when the doctor isn't helping as they're also unsure!!

Anyone else??

numbness can be quite common after a surgery- I myself had a numb patch around my c section scar for a about a year for example, but the numb area has shrunk a lot in Size since 2 years ago and not problematic anymore. Unusual to still have pain this long , You don't have typical nerve pain “neuropathic” symptoms from what youve described though, sounds more like a visceral pain symptoms. neuropathic pain is usually felt as burning, tingling, electric, pins and needles type sensation. Maybe seek a referral to a pain service who would be more specialised To help you?

@Yorkshiredolls

Oh really? That's interesting. I assumed the squeezing sensation would be some form of nerve damage!

I will Google visceral pain symptoms!

Thank you x