Patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery may experience pain in their leg postoperatively. This type of pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities. At The Nerve Institute, led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mytien Goldberg, patients can receive surgical treatment for pain after orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles, such as hip replacement, knee replacement, and ankle surgery. Dr. Goldberg is skilled in addressing the underlying causes of this type of pain, including nerve damage or entrapment.
Pain After Orthopedic Surgery
Los Angeles
The Nerves Affected During Orthopaedic Surgery
Hip Replacement
During hip replacement, the sciatic and femoral nerves are the most commonly affected nerves. The sciatic nerve is responsible for sensation and movement in the leg and foot, and the femoral nerve is responsible for sensation in the thigh and movement of the hip and knee.
Knee Replacement
During knee replacement, the peroneal nerve and tibial nerve are the most commonly affected nerves. The peroneal nerve is responsible for sensation and movement in the foot and ankle, while the tibial nerve is responsible for sensation in the lower leg and movement of the foot.
Ankle Surgery
During ankle surgery, the sural and tibial nerves are the most commonly affected nerves. The sural nerve is responsible for sensation in the foot and outer ankle, while the tibial nerve is responsible for sensation in the bottom of the foot and movement of the ankle and foot.
To learn more about our treatments for pain after orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles, contact our office for an appointment.
Symptoms of Pain in Leg After Orthopaedic Surgery:
- Sharp or shooting pain in the leg
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Burning or aching pain in the leg
- Weakness in the leg
- Swelling or inflammation around the surgical site
- Stiffness or limited mobility in the leg
- Pain that persists for several weeks or months after surgery
- Pain that worsens with movement or activity
- Difficulty sleeping or performing daily activities due to leg pain
Causes of Pain in Leg After Orthopaedic Surgery
Nerve Damage
Nerves are an essential part of the body’s nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. During surgery, nerves in the leg can become damaged or severed accidentally, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling sensations. When a nerve is damaged, it can disrupt the nerve signal transmission, leading to chronic pain. Nerve damage can be caused by various factors, including compression, stretching, or cutting of the nerve during surgery causing pain after orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles.
Nerve Entrapment
Nerve entrapment can occur when a nerve is compressed or pinched by surrounding tissues, structures, or implants during surgery, leading to chronic pain. This pressure on the nerve can cause it to become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or shooting pain. In some cases, nerve entrapment can occur after surgery due to scar tissue formation, which may pressure the nerves in the leg.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural process that occurs as part of the body’s immune response to injury or infection. After surgery, inflammation occurs as part of the body’s healing process, helping to repair damaged tissues. However, excessive or prolonged inflammation can lead to chronic pain in the leg. Inflammation can cause swelling, redness, and pain in the affected area, and if it persists for a long time, it can cause damage to the surrounding tissues and nerves.
Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is a fibrous connective tissue that forms at the injury site, including after surgery. Scar tissue forms as a result of the body’s natural healing process. However, if scar tissue forms around nerves in the leg after surgery, it can cause pain after orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles. The scar tissue may put pressure on the nerves, leading to nerve irritation, inflammation, or damage. The severity of the pain depends on the location and size of the scar tissue and the extent of nerve involvement.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Goldberg
The Nerve Institute, led by Dr. Mytien Goldberg, specializes in treating peripheral nerve injury and nerve pain. If you are experiencing pain in your leg after orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Goldberg can provide you with a personalized treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you are experiencing some other sort of leg pain such as such as peroneal nerve compression, she also has a treatment for you. Don’t let the pain in your leg interfere with your daily activities — schedule your consultation with Dr. Goldberg to learn more about your surgical options.
