Nerve Pain in Soles of Both Feet 8 Weeks Post Revision Microdiscectomy

Hi all,

Looking for some support/advice here from anyone who has experienced similar symptoms.

Short story: Emergency microdiscectomy November 2025 L4-5, left sided herniation. Successful surgery, unfortunately reherniated same level, this time the herniation was central, right sided. Revision microdiscectomy April 2026. Pain free for 2.5 weeks before sudden onset of foot pain in both feet. Soles, balls of feet, heels badly affected. At around 8 weeks post op now. Pain free except for severe burning nerve pain in both feet. Making it difficult to walk. Hugely impacting mental health.

Long story:

31yr old female. I was diagnosed with ddd in all my lower discs in May 2025 after struggling with back pain, spasms and sciatica for 10 years. I had significant loss of disc height in all lower discs and some mild disc bulges noted. I started physio and received a right sided nerve block for a mild herniation at L4-5 (right side), which gave huge relief

November 2025, I had an active month (I work in childcare) pulled myself up from a sit/stand position and immediately felt a spasm in my left glute which worsened with movement. I was bed ridden within the day, unable to stand straight or bear any weight on the left leg. The pain caused me to black out on several occasions and was not like previous pain which I could push through. I went to emergency room and was sent home with a prescription for gapapentin. 2 weeks later I had an MRI and managed to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon who confirmed I had a severely herniated disc L4-5 which was compressing the left nerve root and a significant foot drop. I had an emergency microdiscectomy that night.

Surgery was a success and over the course of 16 weeks, I regained about 70% of the control of my left foot. Healing wasnt linear but there was clear improvement with every week.

However, I still had calf pain in the right leg from the pre-existing right sided disc bulge and another MRI in March 2026 showed that the original herniation had worsened. It was protruding both centrally and also to the right. I was scheduled for a revision microdiscectomy in April 2026 on the same level.

Initially, I considered the surgery a success. I was pain free for 2.5- 3 weeks. Then one night, quite suddenly, I woke up with nerve zaps and burning sensations in both of my feet. It travelled up the inside of my thighs and felt prickly and uncomfortable. Naturally, I began to spiral, thinking I had somehow twisted in my sleep and reherniated. I booked back in for another MRI which showed no compression and two successful discectomies. However some scar tissue and residual disc showed up on the contrast. The surgeon suggested my nerves were just angry and inflamed and ordered 2 nerve block injections to try to calm them down.

I'm at 8 weeks post revision op now and one week post nerve blocks. The nerve pain in both feet is unbearable. Im struggling to walk or wear shoes. I get some relief from vimovo & paracetomol, with ice packs, heat packs. The burning sensation is consistently present in both feet and sometimes travels up both calves. Its worst in the soles/balls of feet/heels.

Feeling disheartened, depleated and struggling mentally, fearful that this pain will be forever. If anyone experienced anything remotely similar, I'd love to hear your experiences. Particularly bilateral nerve pain post microdiscectomy.

Thanks - wishing a speedy recovery to all