What Causes Leg Pain After C Section Delivery?

Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014

Question: hi I had a c section 3 weeks ago on April 17. I noticed when my pain meds would wear down my legs would ache right from the first day.
yesterday I walked lightly for 12 blocks and then went to a department store last evening. this morning I walked the length of the mall and my legs started at ache and felt very weak and jello-like and I felt like if I didn't sit down soon they would give out.
they have been aching ever since and I have been resting them for the last 3 hours. is this referred pain from my section? too much walking? what could it be?

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There are many causes

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thanks for your query.
C-section delivery can lead to leg pain after surgery for several different reasons.
1.Deep Vein Thrombosis(if you have no other symptoms like warm,redness,swollen,you have no chances for DVT)
2.Regional anesthesia( Lidocaine, an anesthetic used to numb the nerves, may also cause a temporary irritation called transient neurologic syndrome, which can cause pain for several days after the surgery)
3.Positioning( prolonged positioning can cause nerve damage to the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain in the left buttock and leg after the surgery, according to the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. The injury generally resolves over six to seven weeks)
These last two reasons may have caused pain legs.
You should do an ultrasound on both legs to rule out a blood clot.
Take care of your self

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (54 minutes later)

XXXXXXX you. I don't have any swelling or redness or warmth. it just feels like deep leg aches. I should add that a week ago I had the stomach flu and had a raised temperature (38 degrees Celsius) (the flu went through my whole family of 5) and when I had a temp. my legs ached really bad. Prior to that I had no aching (they would ache after the first week when pain meds wore off. I stopped taking pain meds and after the first week the leg aches stopped until I got the flu). I have had no leg aches since last Thursday (almost a week ago) until today again. this is my 3rd c section and I haven't had leg aches like this before. my lower back, hips and abdomen also have a dull ache. could this still be from the flu? or could it be something like delayed muscle soreness from my walk? I am concerned with how weak I felt with them today while they ached.

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Leg pain can be due from muscle fatigue

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I hope that your leg pain are easier.
Leg pain can be due to muscle fatigue or strain from overuse.
Take these steps first:
1. Rest as much as possible.
2. Elevate your leg.
3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
5. Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If your leg pain do not facilitate by using these steps you should do an examination to determine the cause of legs pain.
Take care and dont worry.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar