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Anyone with more pain after surgery than before?
I had a laminectomy on lumbar 3, 4, and 5 about 7 weeks ago for severe spinal stenosis. I had no pain before surgery but extreme numbness in both legs when walking. Following surgery at about 4 weeks I began an exercise program walking and found I have a searing pain starting at my right back hip shooting down my leg past my knee. I can only walk about 2 blocks and it becomes unbearable.
I have had numerous medications including a 6 day pack of Prednisone, muscle relaxers, oxycodone and now gabapentin. Non of them are touching the pain.
I’m hoping someone can share their experience and if they had positive resolution to shooting pain after surgery.
Is it too early, and might yet resolve?
Is a second surgery necessary?
Are there other medications that you found helpful?
Any support or suggestion would be appreciated at this point.
Thank you Ivie Cooley
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Has anyone looked into prolotherapy for back pain? I met a physical therapist, Brenda, who had very loose ligaments in her back, had prolotherapy and it really helped her. It was done by a neurosurgeon in San Francisco, California. The doctor is now retired, however. my understanding of what prolotherapy is, is that it's an injection of a sugar solution into a joint or ligament. I know it sounds hokey, but I have an evidence that it's effective for certain kinds of pain.
I’ve not heard of prolotherapy , looks like I have more to research . Thanks for mentioning it!
Mayo offers prolotherapy with platelet rich cells through Regenerative Medicine. The earlier sugar versions are now, generally, supplemented.
https://hub.jhu.edu/2023/07/31/chronic-pain-relief-scrambler-therapy/
I just read about nerve scrambler...going to ask my surgeon today, if he has heard about it? Tens unit does little.
I had PRP injection in my spine in 2014 -- regenerative....I went onto have microdisectomy -- didn't help but I think you need to do this several times and use with other therapies.
What kind of symptoms did you have prior to fusion? Also what type of fusion procedure wise. I have been recommended to have it.
I had some continuing back pain after a bad ski fall. Even after 2 previous MRIs did not show it, a young orthopedic surgeon told me that I had spondylithesis at the L5-S1.
So, I went ahead with the fusion using screws and rods. The procedure was a total failure. No relief.
I would get one or two more opinions. You MUST tread lightly when they begin talking about cutting into your back.
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1 ReactionI am 12 weeks post op for L5/S1 fusion with disc replacement. It takes time for the back to heal and the nerves to regenerate. Patience is a virtue. I was able to stop oxy after 6 weeks and now I rarely take Tylenol. I continue on gabepentin and celebrex. PT and walking so helpful for me but this is a long process. Some days walking can be painful. Hang in there.
I am six months out from my 2nd fusion, revision of L4-5, remove screws on L4, extend down L5-S1, minimally invasive end of July, 2023.
I was instructed to only do walking, wear my back brace when up and start PT after the third month. I've had a difficult time even then, like others hear have said it's up and down. Some days I feel good and so positive, then maybe I overdo with walking and doing things and the nerve in my left hip is on fire, going down my left leg to my foot.
I'm still having this pain, so I asked for new tests. I just had a new MRI and CT scan w/o IV contrast, with a phone consult with the neurosurgeon a few days later. His focus is on the surgery itself, really. He said it looks great, he sees no other issues, no reason for my continued pain.
And yes, the surgery did help, but more pain down the leg with numbness radiating out through the hip. I think and Hope it just needs more time to heal! I've had this for over 10 years, started in 2011.
Pain meds help, but don't stop it!
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3 ReactionsUpdate on post surgical radiculopathy. It is now 12 weeks post operation, and 8 weeks of PT and I’m still having pain when walking more than two blocks. I’m on 2400mg of gabapentin and tizanidine three times a day and it is not cutting the pain. I go for an MRI on Monday to determine if they can locate the pinched nerve.
I would not like to continue enduring this pain, so I would consider a second operation if recommended. I’m extremely unhappy with the first surgery. It did cure the numbness in both legs but left me with this pain in the right leg.
Have any of you had leg pain dissipate after 12 weeks? I was told it would continue to improve up to 12 weeks if it was an irritated nerve, but I have seen very little progress. The progress is in my ability to endure the pain.
Any suggestions for remedies other than a second surgery?
Ivie
@ikcooley Myofascial release is a physical therapy procedure that loosens the restrictions in fascia and scar tissue. All surgery creates scar tissue, and if that is the source of pain because of tightness and pressure, MFR may be able o help. It has helped me a lot and I did this both before and after my spine surgery. I continue to self treat with MFR stretching that I know how to do to maintain the movement that I have.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/
Have you heard of MFR therapy before?
Jennifer