rare complications after open nephrectomy

Most important-don't twist your waist for several months. Turn your whole body, bend at the knees.

My husband had a nephrectomy of his left kidney in December. Now he can hardly walk because his left side cramps up and his left knee feels like it's about to give out. Anyone have this problem and what have you done about it?

Hello - Hopefully one of you will see my post. :) I had Open Partial Nephrectomy 2 yrs ago. I still have the buldge and assume I always will . I still have pains in my side. I haven't been able to build the muscles up again. A few days ago I started having severe pain on that side. I went to Urgency Care and was told it is strained muscle. I don't dare cough or bend. The lower portion of my back no longer looks anything like it used too. Even doctors have a hard time determining what's what when look at it. Would love to hear from anyone that has problems I do. Also, my mass turned out to be benign. Happy Holidays to you all.

In reviewing some of the recent articles on post nephrectomy bulge, I found that this is not a rare complication as this was reported in 50 % of cases in a retrospective review. As a general surgeon, I have seen very few patients with this problem but recently a 48 year old donor s/p her surgery 12 years ago came to my office for advice. I defined the problem of laxity due to nerve damage and not a true hernia. The CT was obvious when you know to look for the atrophy of the muscle and compare one side to the other.

I am happy to see your post. :) I have had the bulge on my side since having the Right Partial Nephrectomy in June 2011. Since having the surgery, I have gone to physical therapy twice for back and side pain which has helped the pain but I assume I will always have the bulge. It's strange that I still have additional swelling there at times if I over do it with physical activity. I always have some bit of pain on that side but it's not bad as long as I am careful not to over do it. With your being a General Surgeon, do you think there is anything I can do for my bulge or the muscles in my low back? I thought the swollen look to my back muscles would subside after a few months but it never has. I have had degenerative disc disease for years and the changes in my low back since the surgery has added to the aamount of back pain I have.

I had a benign 7 pound left kidney removed November 2012. Around the summer of 2013 I started physical therapy for a foot issue. That is when I noticed the " bulge ". It scared the ...... out of me. It ended up that my stomach muscle and nerves were not strong enough to hold everything in. Technically its not a hernia I guess its like everything shifted to the left. The doc says they could sew a mesh in on three sides but not the fourth and I would probably end up with the same problem. He also said loose some weight. Which I totally agree with but I'm in so much pain it is hard. I work 12 hour shifts lifting and bending all day and standing on concrete floors. This makes it bulge and hurt so bad. Then I go to sleep and the swelling goes down. I feel like something is jabbing into my ribs and I have real bad spasms. I need some pain control and help but I really don't know who to see. Help.

I've had the "bulge" for 18 months now after having a laparoscopic nephrectomy.  I have seen 3 hernia surgeons.  The last one was the most knowledgeable.  In the end if I want to have my grapefruit sized "hernia" fixed, it would entail having a large mesh placed under the muscle, and then permanently stitched into the muscle.  The surgeon clearly layed down all the side effects and right now the risks of surgery and possibly living with chronic pain afterward far outweigh any benefit.  And there is no guarantee that it won't come right back.  Right now I have no pain in that area, just the unsightly bulge which is uncomfortable sometimes.  I have to wear abdominal support (i.e. hernia belts) 24/7 to prevent it from getting bigger.  I've decided to wait and see if it gets any bigger in 6 months.  If it does, then maybe I'll consider surgery, but I have yet to read anything online about anyone's surgery going well.  It would be horrendous to trade my pain-free bulge, for bulge-free pain. I try to stay positive, but this really really sucks. 

I too am experiencing this issue.  In 2009 I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer and since I had a pre-existing Renal disease it was decided a partial nephrectomy be done.  I have had a bulge on my left side ever since.  To make matters more interesting I had a true  Incisional hernia that needed two surgeries and a piece of mesh placed.  This did nothing to reduce the size of the bulge and quite frankly slight pain is turning more into constant pain which I worry about as this as already caused me to quit some of my favorite hobbies, affecting my work, and no Doctor seems to want to do anything about it saying "That is just the way it is"  I have read a few stories about treatments that include removing the muscle suffering denervation and graph the remaining muscle with mesh, or attaching a big piece of mesh around the area.  It seems both of these methods are not very common and there is a huge risk of Chronic pain afterwords.  (I can't even stand the thought of worse pain as it would leave me unable to work)

So after reading, I will consult with Doctors but I really think this is something I just need to accept and hope it does not get worse.  I am already limited to lifting less than 20 pounds and as an active person, this is difficult.    

I also count my blessings as this Cancer was discovered accidentally and the surgery saved my life and even if I knew this was a risk, I would have elected the surgery anyway.  To everyone reading here, God Bless and good luck.  Hopefully we will be reading about an effective treatment soon.

I have found this REALLY helps...

8" Elasto-Fit Abdominal Support Binder
by Alpha Medical L.L.C.

You need to keep you head and hang in there. Your grand daughter makes it more motivating to keep going. I am in the same boat, but believe me sir this is not a rubbish life keep moving.
Good Luck

What is it that helps. Why was it deleted?

I also had a partial nephrectomy , and one rib removed, I got the flank bulge/hernia along with hernia in my belly. I also have pain everyday of my life. I went to see my doctor today and ask if this could be Compartment syndrome. She felt it was. when I swell in the flank area it crushes my lung and I have a hard time breathing. My surgery was in 2004, I have looked for a doctor that could help me, so far none plus when i see anyone with my problem, the repair surgery's seem to make it worse. I am once again looking for some Doctor that is able to help. Know you are not alone, I am in pain daily when it is hot out I seem to have more trouble with it but when it is cold out it seems to hurt my spine more. I have purchased 3 sets of new mattresses in the past 10 years and not one set helps me sleep better. I wish you the best, this surgery destroyed my life. If you hear of any help please let me know.

Yes I get the cramps, and it is hard to walk ! many problems with cramps, plus my colon hurts. I found a machine that helps, it is called total body vibration machine, 5 min on it and some how it helps stop the cramps. I purchased one because it was such a great help, I use it about 5 times a day and somehow it helps. Have your husband ask the doctor where a PT is where he could try it. I was shocked how much it helps. Good Luck to You.

Thank You, my surgery was in 2004 and I am looking for help. I talked with a doctor that told me medicine has come a long way and try to find help now. But I am seeing no one is getting help. A ride in the car hurts me, I pray someone comes up with a cure soon. My heart is with you, GOD BLESS !

Same here, I have purchased 3 sets of mattresses, used I think 8 different braces nothing helps me. I have hip and spine pain, when I lift any weight my hernia pops out and I am in bad pain. I have bad muscle spasms, one thing I did find to help was whole body vibration machine, You can try them in PT. I got one and use it many times through the day it helps get rid of the spasms .... Good luck and God Bless !