Thyroidectomy itself does not cause difficulty in walking because the
thyroid gland is in the neck and does not control leg movement.
However, since your aunt also had surgery for a spinal lesion in the vertebra, the walking difficulty is much more likely related to the spine surgery or the effect of the tumor on the spinal cord or nerves. This can happen in cases of **Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma when it spreads to bone, especially the spine.
After spinal surgery, temporary weakness, nerve irritation, or muscle deconditioning can cause difficulty standing or walking.
Next Steps
• Follow up with the spine surgeon or neurosurgeon who performed the surgery to assess nerve recovery.
• Start supervised physiotherapy / rehabilitation, which is essential after spine surgery to regain strength and balance.
• Doctors may evaluate nerve function and recovery with tests if needed, such as MRI Spine or neurological examination.
• Ensure she is taking
thyroid hormone replacement (usually Levothyroxine) if prescribed after thyroid removal.
Recovery of walking ability after spine surgery can vary—some patients improve within a few weeks, while others may take several weeks to a few months depending on nerve involvement.
Health Tips
• Encourage daily physiotherapy exercises as advised by the doctor.
• Ensure adequate nutrition and protein intake to support healing.
• Prevent falls by providing support while standing or walking initially.
• Monitor for warning signs like worsening weakness, severe back pain, or loss of bladder/bowel control, which require urgent medical attention.
If you want, you can also book an online consultation and share more details about which vertebra was operated and her current leg strength, so I can guide you more specifically about her expected recovery and rehabilitation plan.