Could the swelling in the spine around the surgical area be causing pain in the hip?
Patient: I had decompression surgery last October, and even though I was told I was told I would be in and out of hospital in three days, I ended up not being able to stand right after surgery. I was sent to physio therapy for 5 days, and was able to go home with a walker. It took six weeks before I was free to stand and walk on my own. Two months later, after returning from the bathroom,I got a horrible pain in the sacrum area. The surgery was done on L-4,L-5 area, and they felt after a CT scan and an MRI that I had a pinched muscle in the hip area. That was just before Christmas, and I ended up once again in Rehab for 5 days. The pain has gotten better, but now I am getting a burning in my left hip radiating down into my knee. Could I still have swelling along the spine in the surgical area that could be causing this. They did see a disc that had fluid around it on my MRI. Doctor: Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.  I feel that the prolapsed disc is causing all these symptoms by compressing the exiting nerve root.All you need is a fresh MRI lumbosacral spine and look for the status of prolapsed disc or any osteophyte or any other bony displacement (listhesis). MRI will decide further course of action whether by medicines or operative. Meanwhile take Tab Voveran  twice and tab Gabapentin twice a day.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.