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Does anyone have foraminal stenosis ?
I had decompression/laminotomy, surgery on L3/4 and was doing pretty well for about four months but then got alot more active, walking on sand and otherwise and the throbbing pain starting coming back in my legs. The surgeon said it was coming from the Foramen now and he has to do fusion. Does anyone know about this type of pain and how to deal with in non surgically ?
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@bannisterkl I'm glad you are doing well and have a positive attitude with your recovery. That is power and it helps you heal.
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1 ReactionI had foraminal stenosis and spondylolisthesis above and below L5 stenosis. I had several injections and that gave me great relief in the beginning. I had 2 opinions at “well respected” universities. First opinion was, “we dont know why you are having so much pain, your nerve roots are completely open”. Sent to pain management who offered a series of injections I eventually found out would not have helped. Opinion #2, suspected the foraminal stensosis as the cause, received an injection and it was a new day!! Surgeon from same health care establishment offered a laminectomy alone, laminectomy with fusion. The spondylolisthesis was low grade and surgeon made it very clear if chose laminectomy only, I would likely need a fusion at some point in future. My gut said do laminectomy only and I am happy I chose that route. Recovery was quick, back to doing everything I have always done and who knows what the future holds, but currently I have my life back.
Continued good health!
@annie1 inflammation goes hand in hand with your back issue. Exercise with your doctors referral might do the trick. Caution with injections of steroids as they can cause bone destruction.
The nerve goes through the foremen which sometimes narrows bc of arthritis. Get a second opinion and find a seasoned manual physical therapst
Thanks for your answer. Just a plain Orthopedic Spine Dr ? Because if I go to a surgeon they just want to do surgery obviously. I go to a PT who does manual work on me, mostly myofascial release massage on my back but he also kind of pulls my legs down, but often I have the twitching after I see him anyway. What is the best thing for them to do ?
What kind of exercise ? I do crunches, glue strengthening, something for the side of my leg. Two pain management doctors said I could just have one steroid injection and it wouldn't hurt, it's only if they do alot. What do you think ?
Depending on what’s wrong with your back steroid injections help but they can also cause bone destruction. Have you seen a physical therapist recently? One of the things I think helps my nighttime leg cramps is standing on my tippy toes, up and down 30 times before bed and upon waking up. I also do one foot tippy toe stretches 10 times too. You engage a bunch of leg muscles so when your asleep and your nervous system starts firing your legs are too fatigued to cramp. At least that’s what my feelings are but it works for me.
I’m on traditional Medicare so when ever my OA causes another body area to becomes problematic I’m back at PT for a tune-up.
I'm a little reticent to do that because it may make it worse. But I will try. One of my Dr's has referred me to another guy for the steroid injections but also I'm worried about that. Did you say you knew of an alternative to steroids ?
I also have shin pain after walking and standing all day. Would your tippy toe stretches and standing on tippy toes help with that ?
That would depend on what’s wrong with your legs. Have you looked for a reason this is happening? Maybe your shoes need changing? You could try the exercise and see if it helps too.