Question about back surgery recovery

Please bear with me on this. The information I am going to relate in this post is 2nd hand from my mother-in-law whom I dearly love but is not the best when it comes to relating technical information.

Almost 3 weeks ago my father-in-law had some kind of back surgery. I can only assume it was of the minimally invasive type since he was released to go home a few hours after the procedure. I know he had some bone spurs in his lower back taken care of but that is all I know for certain what was done. I do know they did something else too but this is where the information really falls apart as my MIL can not remember what it was and my FIL was too groggy when the doctor came into the recovery room after the operation to explain exactly what he found and did during the operation.

The back and leg pain he was having prior to surgery was resolved and other than some post operative pain, soreness, etc he was feeling pretty good the first week post-op. He followed the doctors orders and stayed home from work and didn't do anything more physical than move about the house to relocate himself.

Approximately the middle of the 2nd week though he started noticing that he was at times feeling unsteady on his feet and an increasing weakness in his legs. In a few days it got to the point he started using a cane and over this past weekend even that was of limited benefit. At least once over this last weekend he has fallen due to his legs giving out. He says he is still pain free in his back and legs. As far as medications go he is only taking Ibuprofen 800 mg as needed. By the way he is only in his mid 50's and as far as we know there are no signs of an infection.

My wife and I both are of the opinion that he needs to see his doctor ASAP as this does not seem normal but he is being stubborn saying he was told to expect some weakness post-op but my wife and I both feel that the weakness should have happened in the days right after surgery and not start 2 weeks later.

My question is, for those of you who have had or been through back surgery with someone close to you is how normal is this? Also if you have any thoughts about this they will be appreciated.

I have related everything I know so I probably won't be able to answer any questions you may have.

Jim,I have not had back surgery but can tell you the weakness and him taking a fall is not good or normal. He needs to get a hold of the surgeon and be seen. Sounds like he had some nerve problems as a result of the spurs being taken off, generally they do not remove them unless there is some nerve problems.

Sounds like the inlaw are going to do what they want & not listen much to anyone else. Good luck....Susie

Hi Jim I just had lower back surgery an I can tell you if that happened to me I would  be on the phone immediately calling my surgeons office! That is not normal  and it could be he has inflamation from the surgery and that could be causing the weakness in his legs  but it could be allot of other things too, but his surgeon should be told about it. It is really important, I do wish you luck in trying to convince him, but don't give up, maybe have his wife call the surgeon and have her tell him about her husbands condition, one way or the other the surgeon should be told. If nothing else have your wife call the surgeon and have her ask the surgeon if this is normal all she would have to say is she is concerned about her father. That would be one way of letting the surgeon know!

Good Luck on this

White Beard

I agree here with all…he needs to call ASAP and get back in! It does not seem right at all to me either. I had major back surgery back in 2010, and never had these symptoms…however I did have a lot of pain that continues to this day.

SE