Swollen ankles and feet

[runner]

I had swollen feet (they were big!!!) after I gave birth to my son and was at home so i called the doctor and the doctor on call insisted I go to the ER.
The reason is that after pregnancy you can have a deep vein thrombosis (DVT or blood clot) in a leg and that can cause swelling. So I went to the ER to get checked out.
They did an ultrasound to check for a clot and I was clear.

DVT can happen when people travel on airplanes and don't get up and move around and it can happen after spinal surgery, too.
And it happens to people on bedrest or ones that are not moving around much like people in pain who are lying down a lot.
The problem with DVT is that it can lead to a pulmonary embolus and this is a
serious problem that can kill. This is because the clot in the vein will travel to the lungs.

So anytime you have swollen feet it should be checked out if you have just had spine surgery or you have been immobile.
Usually if you have a DVT, you will have swelling in one leg or calf and the area will also be painful.
CindyLou on here had a pulmonary embolism so she can tell you about what happened.
So IMHO, I think any unusual swelling of the feet should be checked out by a doctor. I understand, we do have swelling of the feet sometimes with travel or if it is unusually warm, that is different.
Swelling of the feet can also be due to a cardiac problem.

Being a spine patient, I would just have any unusual symptom checked out by your doctor.
That is my two cents on this topic.
I don't want to scare anybody but this is a possibility, especially after spinal surgery.

[Maria]

Any gross swelling of extremities would definately have me at my doctor's or in an Urgent Care or ER... there are just too many possibilities and it's better err on the safe side

[symara]

I went and told him about the pain and swelling, he just wrote it off like it was just another symptom of my back... nothing new... wants to do another discectemy in 2-3 weeks.

the swelling was less over the weekend, I think it may be worse as I sit down for longer periods. we'll see today now that i'm back at work.

[Maria]

It could be dependent edema (dependent on position/extremities positioned below heart level, weight bearing/ crossed and sitting, dangling) and perhaps there is a different reason (medical vs. spinal) so I think you should make your Primary Medical Care doctor aware of this occurence should it indicate anything that medically needs to be checked out further.

I realize of course prior to a discectomy you will be getting a physical to clear you for surgery so if there is a problem of a medical nature it could show up then ~ if there is one...

Pedal edema doesn't usually just happen for no reason altho sometimes as women age and go thru hormonal changes that can explain it but there are other things to consider and make certain are ok such as cardiac,circulatory,vascular, renal, and lymphatic systems functioning.

Will you be getting a 2nd surgical opinion re the discectomy?

[dshobbies]

Symara,
Any surgery is your decision. But what your doctor is not telling you is that the likelihood of failure for yet another discectomy. I've had two and know this is not an easy surgery onto itself and though I do think I would have agreed to the first, knowing what I know now, I would not have agreed to the second one. I did refuse a third surgery which ultimately led to my 3 level ADR.

Also, after a discectomy, your disc is compromised and can no longer support its full function. This causes increased pressure on adjacent discs which often leads to degeneration at those levels, which can lead to degeneration at their adjacent segments.

Before agreeing to another discectomy, please discuss this with your doctor. The statistics are not in your favor.

Whatever your decision, I wish you good luck, Dale

[Maria]

I too strongly recommend getting more than one surgical opinion when it comes to 2nd discectomy. My first one was successful at L5S1 but my 2nd one at L4 was not and then I ended up having probs with recurrent disc bulges at both levels, scar tissue, hastening DDD and future spinal problems.

That being said it could be that wouldn't be your case and you may need *something* done surgically however I'd just want to have more than one opinion and for myself more than 2. But usually most surgeons recommend getting a 2nd surgical opinion at least.

[symara]

I am trying to get at least one more opinion. Unfortunately, the only dr that was doing ADR in this area is not longer doing it since the hospital will not do it now, since insurance will not pay for it. He won't even consult with me. I won't see him for a regular surgical opinion if ADR isn't an option since he isn't in Network. I'm going to call the prodisc people and see if anyone has been at least trained in this area. Maybe I can get into see someone that at least has been trained and get their honest opinion.

I also e-mailed Dr Balderston to see if I could get a long-distance consult with him, so we'll see. I have a lot of phone calls to make it seems.

[nomorepain]

within 24 hours of my prodisc surgery i had an issue with swelling, was rushed into a CT Scan to make sure the new prodiscs were not impinging on my nerve canal, they weren't...but to this day when i am on my feet a long time, or it's hot, or it's just time for them to swell, it happens, no reason as far as i can tell, and i have had every test in the book for this issue. On occasion i wear compression stockings, you can get them at any good medical device store, they are spendy at about $40.00/pr, and are offered in a few different compression percentages, well worth the investment, but have a doctor tell you what compression you need, these are great stockings that are either knee high or up to the hip. keeps everything under control...hope this helps you.

[nomorepain]

I have feet& ankle swellling also, been more of an issue after my prodisc surgery, in fact i was rushed into a CT scan following my surgery due to swelling, but everything appeared normal at that time. i notice it most when i am on my feet all day, and it's hot. So my regular Doc introduced me to compression stockings, they can be had at any good health supply company, consult your doc as to the best compression ratings for you, they come in knee-highs and are worn under socks. They definetly help keep the swelling in check and down, and what a relief when you take them off at night. I'm told the swelling is an age issue, but i refuse to grow up! it's my body that won't keep up,hmmmmmmm