I had surgery for a herniated disk l5 - s1...Classic numbness and shooting pain down my leg. Then one day I overstressed my back lifting something; the next morning when I stood up I had severe burning and pain all they way down my leg...I was immobilized for 3 days. I went to the er...After 2 shots (anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant) and 12 hours of sleep...I awoke to severe weakness in my leg...The burning/pain was totally gone, but I had significant weakness.

Needless to say I had surgery; removal of the herniated disk material (no fusion). Post surgery the pain is still totally gone, but: I still have moderate numbness exactly down the s1 nerve all the way to my little toe. The weakness is about 50% better, but my calf fatigues very easily.

Question 1: my calf (push off reflex) is still weak...But my calf muscle is huge. I thought that if I had weakness, then my calf muscle should shrink, not grow?

Question 2: post surgery 3 months; how long will this numbness/weakness last? Could the nerve still be compressed?