4 level fusion advised...I sent mri and report to Mayo in Scottsdale

@normadela67 - Welcome to Mayo Connect. This is a great place to gain different perspectives on what you might decide regarding your spinal issues.

The idea that an injection can actually be a good diagnostic tool is sound, in my opinion. There can be many things causing your symptoms and narrowing causation down is a critical task. Here are some thoughts:

I found that MRI's can vary depending on the age and quality of the equipment. My advice is to be certain your pictures are on the latest and best equipment. Along my journey, I completely avoided one critical surgery when new films on new equipment showed the doctors something they hadn't seen.

The fact you have "a lot going on in your back" suggests a path of very deliberate opinion-gathering from different docs. Have you seen a neurosurgeon? That might be helpful.

Before my microdiscectomy in 2015 I had pain that appeared to be hip related. Dr. Google and I self diagnosed. Orthopedic surgeon did an MRI of the back but did not go high enough and we did not fix the problem. The problem was L2/L3. My PT and I worked together to figure out what positions made pain better...worse...etc. PT suggested I speak with my surgeon about his. In the interim I had a PRP injection at L2/L3 and the pain doc got too close to the nerve and I practically levitated off the table! However the momentary zap did mimic the pain pattern I was feeling and for the nerve affected between L2/L3. I eventually had successful surgery in this area. I am now dealing with several spine issues 9 years later but that is another story.

Thank you Phil for the suggestion of a different MRI. I have to use an older version Tesla of 1.5 because of cerebral stents placed in my Carotid arteries due to dissection and pseudo aneurysm due to trauma from a head on collision 2001. One MRI tech recently suggested I look into new MRI machines that may now work without not interfere with this stenting. I have not followed up but will do so now. Should I contact an radiologist??

Thank you for responding, I will be seeing a neurosurgeon here soon in May.

Thank You for taking time to read and respond, I found your information very helpful. May I ask your age and type of issues you are now having. I'm 56 and I have read that one surgery just leads to more but sometimes that is the only option. I pray that whatever is going on in your spine now can be resolved and you can be made comfortable.

I am 66. Yes, I do believe once you have surgery, you weaken the spine structure.

I have a lot going on and will need a fusion at some time. Standing is difficult as is walking. However, I can sit and sleep with little pain or interruption, so I punting for a bit longer.

Stenosis and Scoliosis mainly. I can opt for a cage for S1/L5 & L4/L5. (Surgery with two surgeons through the tummy) I believe the majority of my pain comes from this area. Probably will help with my scoliosis and will not take care of the full scoliosis. There is slippage at L3/L4 and L2/L3 (1st surgery 2015) and it possible it will become less stable with more surgery and I may end up having to have another surgery to fuse this area and another long recovery. I believe I will end up with a full fusion from S1 - T 12. Not quite at the tipping point to move ahead. That is a very brief version.:)

Hello
I do have some similar experience with left sided lower abdomen, groin, inner upper thigh and testicle pain that has been successfully treated with epidural injections at T12/L1 and L1/2. I've recently develop pain lower down in the outer hip and inner thigh that doctor(neurosurgeon) though was probably coming from the L4 nerve root. Mri showed that wasn't the case. He ordered a pelvic MRI. Insurance has just denied this scan so still unsure what the problem is. I am fused from L4 to S1. I've had 2 laminectomies with discectomy at T12/L1 that helped considerably. The last one was 4 yrs ago and have had probably 10 epidurals since then. Those, (along with PT and staying fit) have let me avoid the big fusion and still be somewhat
active. I would seek at least 3 opinions and not rush into such a big fusion. I hope this is helpful. Best wishes to you!
Ps-I'm 58.

Thank you so much, for responding and sharing your experience. I found it very helpful and encouraging. I pray you continue to feel your best. God Bless You.

I was having the same pains on the same side.Never will understand how it affects testicle,but it does.I have a epidural and they burn the nerves every year for a years worth no killer pain.Dr.'s and surgeons all told me no to fusions and surgeries of any kind.So i do this every year and is working so far.

Thank you for your input. I pray to have success with the epidural as you have.

I have been reading about burning the nerve pain. None of my 5 surgeons even mention this as an option. Since I suspect the majority of pain is S1L5 & L5L4. That might be my short term solution and buy me more time before fusion surgery . I am curious..Did your docs offer this or did you research and present this to them?