Hysterectomy is the most common operation performed by a gynecologist to resolve problems related with uterus. Issues can be benign or malignant. Hysterectomy is procedure performed to remove uterus. Hysterectomy can be either partial to radical. In radical hysterectomy along with uterus other appendages such as ovaries, fallopian tube etc are also removed. Hysterectomy is considered to be a major surgery. As with any surgery, hysterectomy may also have some complications. One such post surgical problem of hysterectomy is pain in legs. Patient may complain of pain in both or one leg, mainly in the calf region.
Causes:
Complications can develop after hysterectomy operation. There are several reasons for which hysterectomy is performed. Uterine fibroids are the most common reason. Fibroids are benign growths inside and outside the uterus. They may cause severe bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure on bladder. When all conservative measures fail, removal of uterus is considered the last option.
How to treat leg pain after hysterectomy:
Leg pain after hysterectomy as mentioned above can be due to deep vein thrombosis or due to nerve entrapment. It is necessary to become mobile as soon as possible after the operation. This is to prevent deep vein thrombosis in the legs. It is for this reason doctor advice to their patients to move about the next day after operation. Even slight movement in the room helps to improve circulation during the recovery period after operation. When patient is not walking, she must continue her movement in bed by slightly bending her ankles keeping the legs straight. Bending knee and straightening leg is another good exercise that she can do when lying in the bed. Patient must also avoid crossing her legs as it decreases the flow of blood in leg veins. In case of deep vein thrombosis, clot bursting blood thinner is prescribed to the patient. If nerve damage is a concerning cause for leg pain post hysterectomy, stretching and passive exercise after few days or weeks is beneficial to reduce pain.