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What Causes Sharp Pain And Weakness In The Leg After A Surgery?

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Posted on Tue, 12 Jul 2016
Question: I am currently in a cam walker, using crutches with minimal weight bearing, and due to have surgery in less than two weeks to treat several tears in the peroneal tendons (brevis and longus). I'm only mentioning this in case it has any impact on the new issue. I was coming down several steps this morning, and I started to fall. Instinct had me try to prevent the fall, and in so doing I landed with all my weight on my affected foot. The ankle/foot itself doesn't seem any worse, so I don't think I did any more damage there. However, when this happened, I immediately felt a severely sharp pain in the upper/outer calf of the same leg. I'm guessing it is the peroneus longus muscle based on the location of the pain. The pain is localized, and if I press in that area it does cause a sharp increase in my pain level (an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10). If I don't move the leg, the pain is mostly mild, although it does throb. I immediately applied ice (and have done so periodically since), took ibuprofen, and have it elevated. When I have attempted to put weight on that leg, the pain is very severe, and my leg seems weak and unstable. I don't see any swelling, and there is no warmth to the area. There is slight bruising below the affected area. In the past hour, I have started to also have pain on the front of my leg, in the mid-shin area. I feel this much more intensely if I cock my foot upward. Seeing as I am mostly non-weight bearing on that side anyway, is it probably okay to continue treating with ice, ibuprofen and elevation? Would wrapping the area with an ace bandage be advisable?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Bone injury needs to be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Having sharp pain on putting weight, appearance of hematoma and pain in front of leg are likely to be due to a fracture in the area. You can wrap the area in ace bandage but it is advisable to get an X-ray done and see if there is any bone injury. If it is only a soft tissue injury then rest, icing and elevation will help.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12310 Questions

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What Causes Sharp Pain And Weakness In The Leg After A Surgery?

Brief Answer: Bone injury needs to be ruled out. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Having sharp pain on putting weight, appearance of hematoma and pain in front of leg are likely to be due to a fracture in the area. You can wrap the area in ace bandage but it is advisable to get an X-ray done and see if there is any bone injury. If it is only a soft tissue injury then rest, icing and elevation will help. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal