The cause of foot and ankle pain after back surgery may be the irritation of a nerve. Back surgery can compress or irritate a nerve in the lower spine. Unfortunately, nerves going to the leg run down the spine and exit between the vertebrae, and they are very close to the area where some types of back surgeries are performed.
The irritation of one of these nerves can cause pain, weakness, numbness, or a burning sensation in the leg, ankle or foot. This kind of pain is called radicular pain, and it occurs along the path of a nerve. It’s this nerve irritation that can lead to radicular pain in your foot and ankle after your back surgery. Fortunately, a physical therapist can make dealing with this and other post-surgical issues a part of your personalized post-surgical recovery plan.
How does post-surgery recovery look?
Recovery time from back surgery varies for each person. You may have a faster or slower recovery than someone else who has had the same surgery. The healing process also depends on what type of surgery you had. It may also depend on whether you experience complications like nerve pain in your ankle and foot after your back surgery. Fortunately, physical therapy plans can help with back surgery recovery even if you’re experiencing complications.
Here are some things to expect as part of your recovery:
- No lifting, pushing, pulling or straining for the first couple of weeks.
- Activity gradually increased as tolerated.
- Physical therapy to assist in gaining strength and flexibility.
Post-surgery physical therapy methods for back, foot, and ankle pain
A personalized post-surgical rehab plan may expedite the recovery process. Such a plan may include techniques like:
- Manual therapy — This treatment method can include hands-on techniques, stretching and gentle pressure on specific parts of your body. Manual therapy helps encourage blood flow and mobility so muscles can relax and heal.
- Strengthening exercises — A big part of physical therapy is helping patients improve their muscles so they don’t overcompensate for post-surgical weakness anywhere else in their body. By strengthening core muscle groups and the ones around the injury or ailment, the body can stop putting unnecessary pressure on other areas.
- Stretching — Therapists can stretch muscles and tendons to improve flexibility and relieve pain. If back, ankle or foot stiffness is an issue for you after surgery, your physical therapist can prescribe exercises to help. The stretches they can provide you with are intended to help stretch the affected areas and move them through their full range of motion. All of this can help to prevent stiffness, which may also help ease pain.
When you experience foot and ankle pain after back surgery, it can be helpful to incorporate physical therapy in your recovery process.
Excel PT can help you recover from foot and ankle pain after back surgery
If you’ve been suffering from post-back surgery foot and ankle pain, contact us. Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can provide a one-on-one consultation and a full assessment. Our physical therapists are skilled and dedicated to your recovery process.
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