Post Operative Sciatic Nerve Pain

If a person has a pinched nerve in the buttock region with pain that shoots down the leg and into the foot, he is suffering from sciatic nerve pain. This is due to either a bone spur or herniated disc. In surgery, the herniated disc is either partially or fully removed so that the nerve will no longer be compressed. But even after surgery patients still can suffer from this pain until the area is fully healed.

CT Scan

• If a patient is still experiencing pain after sciatic nerve surgery, a CT scan and other tests may have to be performed to see if the condition is actually cleared up. These tests will determine if the sufferer has any other herniated discs or if further surgery is needed for the discomfort he is feeling.

Injections

• If the tests performed by the surgeon gives no indication of further problems, he may give the patient a series of injections. Nerve root blocks and epidural steroid injections can help ease the pain until the area is fully healed.

Exercises

• Following sciatic surgery, a patient is encouraged to walk. This helps the surgeon determine how long it will take the patient to recovery and how to treat the pain. Physical therapy and the exercising of the lumbar and abdominal muscles can help strengthen muscles and alleviate post-surgery pain.

Medication

• If the patient is showing no signs of other injuries but still has pain after surgery, the physician--depending on the severity of the patient's pain--may prescribe an anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication. Usually the prescription will be for a non-addictive drug that addresses the underlining reason for the pain, such as inflammation or bruising.

General Health

• Some people who suffer with pain after this type of surgery have other health problems that contribute to their pain. For example, an overweight person may take longer to heal than a person who is otherwise in good health because of the extra weight and pressure on the back area, legs and feet. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, drugs or drinking can also affect how long it takes a person to stop feeling pain or to fully heal.