I think I may have nerve damage after thigh liposuction but unsure. How can I tell?

Question

I had saddlebag lipo about two years ago. Shortly after recovery when I began my running routine I notice a pain in my R Hamstring. It worsened the longer I ran. Went to DR who recco'd PT due to tight IT Band. I have pain all day that fluctuates in strength. I stretch, use rollers, balls but still have pain. Pain range from stabbing to throb. Starting to affect my sleep as the throbbing makes me want to move. I think DR hit nerve during surgery as pain centralized to incision. Scar tissue?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Sensory nerve pain or "sensation" is common after liposuction, especially if a large volume was removed or contoured.  It is extremely are for muscle injury or motor nerve injury as those nerves are deep to the fat that is treated with the liposuction procedure.  If laser liposuction was performed, theoretically heat delivered during the procedures could cause nerve damage, but unlikely to cause motor problems.  Sensory injury should resolve 3-6 months after surgery.  With that said, I would return to your doctor and have him examine the area.  You may need a consult to a neurologist or physical medicine and rehab (PMNR) physician and/or otho surgeon to tease out where the issue may be coming from (ie nerve vs muscle vs joints).  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

John Nguyen, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be difficult to attribute pain to liposuction two years after the procedure.  However, it is impossible to ascertain without a thorough exam and possibly further testing.  (MRI?)  If you feel that the pain is related to a liposuction scar then consult your surgeon for an evaluation.  Good luck and be safe.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

David Shifrin, MD · Answer

Two years after your procedure you should be fully recovered. There are sensory nerves in our tissues that become oversensitive for a short time following liposuction. They return to normal after 6 weeks - 3 months. The motor nerves in the leg are deep to the muscles and would be extremely difficult to injure. You would be experiencing difficulty moving the leg at all if this were the case. I would return to your plastic surgeon (hopefully board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery) and revisit your issues. An orthopedic surgery consultation may be in order to rule out underlying age related joint arthritis.Cheers,Dr Shifrin

I think I may have nerve damage after thigh liposuction but unsure. How can I tell?

Answers (3)

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