My legs hurt more than my lower back... That was the sciatic nerve abnormality I experienced before my second surgery

"My lower back doesn't hurt that much, but my legs hurt so much I can't walk."

If you are feeling that way right now,
it might be the exact same beginning as when I became unable to walk for the second time!

I have experienced back surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation in the past.
Especially during the second onset,a major characteristic was that the "leg pain" was stronger than the back pain.

In this article,

I have written honestly as a patient, not as a specialist.

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▪️My "legs" reached their limit before my lower back did!!

When the second onset occurred, it wasn't my lower back that hurt the most at first.

It was a sharp pain running from my buttocks down to my thighs and calves.
A throbbing, deep pain shot along the line where the sciatic nerve runs.

"Maybe it's just my imagination," "Maybe it will get better if I rest a little."
Even while thinking that, the pain grew stronger day by day.

And then one day,
I lost strength in my legs and became unable to walk.

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▪️No comfortable position, whether sitting or standing

What was truly painful about the sciatic nerve pain was that
there was no position that felt comfortable.

In the end,
all I could do was lie down.

"I have to move, but I can't."
This state pushed both my mind and body to the brink.

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▪️The reality of not having strength in my ankles after surgery

I thought I would feel better as soon as the surgery was over.
Honestly, I was expecting that somewhere.

But the reality was different.

After surgery,

From there, for about two months,
I continued rehabilitation with a physical therapist,
and little by little, I was able to move them again.

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▪️Items that "really helped me" after discharge

From here on, I will introduce things that I actually used and found helpful,
and things that were recommended by my physical therapist.

1. Stretch bands (TheraBand type)

I used these during rehabilitation after they were recommended by my physical therapist.
They come in different resistance levels,
so I could use them comfortably according to how I felt that day.
My physical therapist recommended them,

saying, 'Don't force the stretch; use them to practice moving slowly.'

I used these during rehabilitation after they were recommended by my physical therapist.
They come in different resistance levels,
so I could use them comfortably according to how I felt that day.
My physical therapist recommended them,

saying, 'Don't force the stretch; use them to practice moving slowly.'

In my case, I couldn't walk on my heels, so I hooked them onto my toes and used them to strengthen my ankles.

*Please do not push yourself if the pain is severe.

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2. Cushion to avoid sitting for long periods

With sciatic nerve pain,
the act of 'sitting' itself puts a strain on the body.

During periods when my sciatic nerve pain was severe,
even just sitting in a chair was painful because it compressed the nerve,
and this cushion really helped me.

Since it is a donut-type cushion with an open center,
the pressure on my buttocks was distributed,
and I was less likely to feel that throbbing pain even when sitting for a long time.

It was convenient to be able to use it not only at home,
but also in the car and when going out.

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3. Backpack (for going out and shopping after discharge)

Regarding going shopping after being discharged from the hospital,
**my physical therapist told me, 'Shoulder bags are dangerous, so please use a backpack,'** and I bought one.

At the time, it was hard to put strength into my legs,
and it would have been dangerous if I couldn't use my hands in case I lost my balance.

What I felt after actually using it was,

these points.

Even for something as simple as 'carrying luggage',
I realized that safety is very important when your body is not in perfect condition.

To resume going out without strain,
I recommend choosing a backpack for a while after being discharged.

*It is safer to choose a backpack that is lightweight and fits your body well.

▪️In conclusion.

When you experience pain so severe that you cannot walk, you tend to think,
"I wish I had noticed sooner"
"It was my fault for pushing myself too hard"
You tend to think that way.

However, the body can reach its limit one day.
Please do not blame yourself😢
I hope this article

can at least slightly ease the anxiety of "someone feeling similar pain."I am not an expert.
I am just someone who has worried and suffered in the same way.

Please, do not carry this burden alone.
If you continue with rehabilitation, it often improves gradually, so please do not give up.

*This article contains affiliate links.
However, the items introduced are only those I have actually used,
or those recommended by my physical therapist
that have truly helped me.