Hey so I had a microdiscectomy a little over 2 years ago (right before turning 27). Had had a large herniation at L5/S1, major compression of nerve roots. By the time I had the surgery my right leg was pretty messed up, half of my right calf was numb, most of my foot was numb-toes numb and was creeping up my right leg, the right side of my thigh was numb as well (In addition to all the back pain of course which I will not go into) and a ton of pain behind my right knee, extremely weakened muscle. Left leg was not nearly as bad, but was not fun either. Lots of pain meds...
Anyways-after the surgery (which did get rid of all my leg pain) my right leg was tight for a very long time-standing up my right leg just felt tight in general, obviously this is nothing compared to what it felt like before-was just an observation no matter how much I stretched it always felt tight, but eventually it went away (prob bout a year later). The numbness went away for the most part too.
It is now a little over two years, and although it was not a picnic, and I sometimes do have back pain, for the most part I am 100% back to good. I do not run anymore but I do excercise a lot-the gym, biking, or in the last 5 months or so hiking a couple time a week a hike that is a great aerobic workout.
For the last month now, I have been consistently getting cramps in my right calf, and it is feeling tight again. I'm not sure what to do about it besides stretching it-but I know when it is going to happen cause the leg feels funny for a while. Its not always when Im sleeping either. I just sat down to watch tv for an hour or so and had one while I was eatin popcorn-sitting at my computer now with the right calf feeling all weird, my toes are a little weird too and the back of my knee. I have not been having a larger amount of back pain though, so I don't know what to think... This happen to anybody else?
I dont want to get myself worried, but sometimes I do worry. I love to be in good shape, I am only 29 and my usual routine with excercise is to always push myself, you know, I like being in great shape. I also have to sit at computers a lot, for work and school, and I know that is pretty bad for my back.
I dont know what to think, but these cramps suck, they are short but pretty painful and it is getting annoying that I am having them 5 out of 7 days a week and I am worrying they may be a symptom of something going on with my back... Any advice?