My surgeon cut through a nerve... can exercise fix it?

I HAD a varicose vein operation last June and they accidentally severed a nerve in my lower leg called the common peroneal nerve. Now I’m stuck with crutches and a big metal cast. Are there any exercises I can do while I await a repair operation? THE common peroneal nerve controls movement in the knee, the foot and the calf. Damage to this nerve, and an operation to repair it, are bound to affect exercise levels.

But temporary loss of leg function doesn’t necessarily result in poor health or a loss of fitness. Walking with crutches takes strength and stamina and burns up more energy than walking without them. And if you head uphill it will increase blood flow to the leg, which should help speed up the healing process after the operation.

However, some people end up with aches and pains in the back or upper body as a result of the extra strain, so build up the pace gradually.

There are upper-body workouts and strength training which don’t require any leg support. Workouts on the floor such as crunches and half press-ups are easy without applying pressure to the leg wound.

When the wound heals and stitches are removed, swimming can provide a good whole-body exercise. OVER the past six months, I’ve experienced bouts of light-headedness and I see flashing lights. I’ve also lost almost a stone. Could this be an oncoming heart attack? I am 55 and otherwise healthy and active. LOSING weight when you don’t intend to is a red flag for doctors. Often, spontaneous weight loss is a sign of serious illness such as bowel disease, cancer or thyroid disease, but not a heart attack.

GPs always perform blood tests and an examination in these cases. It is especially troubling in those over 50 as rates of bowel cancer are higher.

If a GP suspects bowel cancer, they may fast-track patients for more invasive tests within two weeks.

Light-headedness is common and may be the result of heart issues, raised blood pressure or anaemia. But if a patient is also seeing ‘flashing lights’ urgent investigations are needed, including possibly for the eyes, as this can be a sign of damage to the retina at the back of the eye. .

A heart attack usually occurs in patients who carry known risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and type 2 diabetes.

A common sign of an impending heart attack is chest pain or a tightening of the chest that is felt in the chest but can travel to the left arm, the jaw and the throat.