Nerve damage and exercising

[Kikikaakaa]

I had a severely compressed sciatic nerve a few years ago in one of my legs, lost a lot of sensation at the time in my foot and ankle. I was fit at the time it happened, it was an injury I sustained at work lifting boxes. because of the severe back pain, nerve damage etc, I haven't done hardly any exercise since and have put on a load of weight, unfit etc.

The compression has been gone for some time, no pain. But the leg is weak and unpredictable and has about 95% sensation back.

I've rejoined a gym now and can comfortably walk fast on a steep incline on the treadmill, use bikes for short periods but I need to build strength.

I went to body balance recently, I had to use the wall for balance on this leg, also I found it really hard to position this leg when doing yoga.

I wonder what other exercises would be good for me, should I persevere with body balance despite it being really hard? I don't want to injure myself again.

After using the treadmill or doing body balance, my affected leg trembles for a long time, is this normal? Also the calf muscle is reaalllly tight.

I don't have any medical help with this, no physio as the 'cause' of it is now resolved but little idea how to get fit with this issue

I'm not a medic but it sounds like you just need to build strength, as you say. I would say keep up with the body balance. Hard is OK, but stop if you get any pain while you're doing the exercise. Maybe also practise a few calf raises every day (if you Google you'll find instructions). It will probably take a while but you should see improvements if you work the leg consistently.

Thank you. I'm not getting any pain but I am having spasms and I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. It's never happened before - it's not a cramp, it's a spasm in my foot and toes where they all move and twitch. I don't know if this means it's stressed or building up! No clue!