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Back and leg pain

Posted by pljauthor @pljauthor, Aug 15 8:17am

I have had back pain for quite some time. It is now beginning to travel down my legs and sometimes even in my buttocks. I've noticed that I am leaking urine (just a little) a few times a week. My orthopedic surgeon offered spinal ablation for L4-L5. Is it time to take him up on it? I'm also taking Celebrex and this helps, but then I have to take a PPI to protect my stomach. Please send me any information or suggestions. Thanks!

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mmalone1804 | @mmalone1804 | Aug 17 1:12pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I have had numerous MRIs over the past eight years. Looking to pinpoint the reason for..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I have had numerous MRIs over the past eight years. Looking to pinpoint the reason for the continuing pain im buttocks and lower back(caused by a hard ski fall on my lower back and buttocks) . Each time the interpretation says "nothing remarkable' normal degenerative changes. Has anyone out there in Commenters Land had a second, even third interpretation of their MRI? And had something discovered thet was missed.
Thank you in advance.

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Yes! This just happened to me this week. I saw a new doctor, a neurologist who specializes in pain. He took a detailed and magnified look at my MRI and found “modic changes” at L5-S1. This was interpreted by the radiologist as “degenerative changes”.
But, unlike degenerative changes, there is actually a treatment plan to help with the pain caused by modic changes, called basivertebral ablation.
I’m not saying this is, or even could be your problem. I’m saying that another set of eyes on that MRI can’t hurt.

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1 reply
pljauthor | @pljauthor | Aug 18 6:03am
In reply to @mmalone1804 "Yes! This just happened to me this week. I saw a new doctor, a neurologist who..." + (show)
@mmalone1804

Yes! This just happened to me this week. I saw a new doctor, a neurologist who specializes in pain. He took a detailed and magnified look at my MRI and found “modic changes” at L5-S1. This was interpreted by the radiologist as “degenerative changes”.
But, unlike degenerative changes, there is actually a treatment plan to help with the pain caused by modic changes, called basivertebral ablation.
I’m not saying this is, or even could be your problem. I’m saying that another set of eyes on that MRI can’t hurt.

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Good idea! Thanks for your input!

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Aug 18 6:59am
In reply to @kburt911 "The problems you are having sound a lot like mine except I did have surgery. If..." + (show)
@kburt911

The problems you are having sound a lot like mine except I did have surgery. If I had to do over I would have tried some of the procedures mentioned first. It may have given me relief without surgery. Since my surgeries in which my L1 was compressed with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis I have had the ablation which didn't work, nerve blocks. They feel the pain I am having again in my leg is from a pinched nerve. Six weeks ago I had a spinal stimulator implanted. It is finally starting to give me relief but I still had groin and buttock pain so I just had an injection in my iliac joint (I think that's what it is called). It is the most relief I have had in over a year. I can stand without pain. I know it is only temporary but it is wonderful. The final decision is yours. Just don't go in like I did with very little knowledge. Read, discuss with others and get a second opinion. Best of luck to you.

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Quick update. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but as some of the people here have said, a lot of these procedures are temporary. I posted that I was pain free for the first time in months, it was amazing. Unfortunately I woke up the next day in pain as if I had nothing done. I started crying not so much from the pain but the fact that I literally only got one day out of it. I don't know what is next but it will be a discussion the doctor and I will be having as I can do anymore temporary fixes. I have been researching what is next if this fails and unfortunately it is another surgery. The surgery would involve an implant between the bones in the sacroiliac joint. If this surgery can give me relief like I had for the one day I would be the happiest person.

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mikaylar | @mikaylar | Aug 18 8:05am

I just had an steroid epidural for the same thing. Waiting for it to kick in. Mine herniation is at L3-4 and it is debilitating. I feel your pain. This is grueling.

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reets70 | @reets70 | Aug 19 5:52am

I had two epidurals in the last six months and they did not work. I’m in the process of an ablation and I’m praying that this gives me some relief! The pain in my buttocks is unbelievable. I’m too old for surgery so there might not be an answer for me. Fingers crossed that Ablation will work.

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2 replies
pljauthor | @pljauthor | Aug 19 6:01am
In reply to @reets70 "I had two epidurals in the last six months and they did not work. I’m in..." + (show)
@reets70

I had two epidurals in the last six months and they did not work. I’m in the process of an ablation and I’m praying that this gives me some relief! The pain in my buttocks is unbelievable. I’m too old for surgery so there might not be an answer for me. Fingers crossed that Ablation will work.

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Please let us know how you do!

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Aug 19 11:46am
In reply to @reets70 "I had two epidurals in the last six months and they did not work. I’m in..." + (show)
@reets70

I had two epidurals in the last six months and they did not work. I’m in the process of an ablation and I’m praying that this gives me some relief! The pain in my buttocks is unbelievable. I’m too old for surgery so there might not be an answer for me. Fingers crossed that Ablation will work.

Jump to this post

If the ablations do not work, you might consider a trial of a spinal cord stimulator. They provide good relief for many people with chronic pain, especially in the back and buttocks. The trial is a relatively simple procedure that is often done in the pain specialist's office.

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melhen | @melhen | Aug 20 6:38am

Anyone had Vertiflex ?

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