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MRI results and Pain symptoms not matching. Dr says nothing he can do.

Posted by sbraden1234 @sbraden1234, Nov 9 5:06pm

I had decompression and fusion at L3-L4-L5 one year ago. Throughout this year I have had lower back pain, leg pain, a drop foot, numb toes, heels and lower leg. Walking and bending are so painful. I wake throughout the night from pain and lately both my legs also ache so bad, it is impossible to get back to sleep.
The MRI and CT scan for my year post op appt says I have a broad based disc bulge and significant foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 compressing the exiting nerve roots and a disc bulge at L2-L3 with canal and foraminal stenosis and compression of the exiting nerve root.
My neurosurgeon said where I report pain does not match the MRI or CT scan and he can't do anything further for me. I feel like I am going absolutely crazy, being in this much pain every single day and night and being told this is it. I have had injections in the joints that have not helped. The surgeon said this is indicative that surgery would not help. I did 6 months of PT and now work out with a trainer and exercise 6 days a week. Does anyone have any advice? Do I just stop thinking there is a way to become pain-free and suck it up so to speak?

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sbraden1234 | @sbraden1234 | Nov 13 8:32am
In reply to @slkanowitz "Sbraden, please also get evaluated by a neurologist ( a dr who diagnoses medical neurological problems..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

Sbraden, please also get evaluated by a neurologist ( a dr who diagnoses medical neurological problems that aren’t treated surgically), as you could have both the spine issues and a peripheral neuropathy, which needs sorted out. An EMG test can help with that. Mayo will likely get neurologist involved as part of your workup. PN is very common and causes numbness, tingling, foot drop, aching leg pain, weakness in muscles, gait disturbances. There’s a lot of overlap between PN and the symptoms from bulging discs and compression of spinal nerve roots. They are treated differently once the situation is clarified. Good luck! You have been dismissed and a second opinion away from any connection to your current Dr is a must!

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Thanks, I am working on finding doctors who are not associated with the health system I am in. Luckily, I have insurance that lets me choose who I see. I had not thought of seeing a neurologist. I have an appt with my PCP this morning and I will ask for a referral. I have found out that some specialist regardless of insurance will only see you if it is a referral from another doctor.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 13 12:13pm

I have gone to various doctors and neurology is the only one that has been helpful even though he doesn't really do anything (since I can't tolerate meds). I feel I have a partner in assessing when surgery will be needed. PT has been good too (massage).

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smn1 | @smn1 | Nov 18 8:06pm

Hey Sbraden Did U have the drop foot, numb toes. Prior to Your decompression and Fusion? Also Feel like your going crazy. Is about how Ya describe it am there doing that. Do U take anything for the pain.

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sbraden1234 | @sbraden1234 | Nov 18 10:52pm
In reply to @smn1 "Hey Sbraden Did U have the drop foot, numb toes. Prior to Your decompression and Fusion?..." + (show)
@smn1

Hey Sbraden Did U have the drop foot, numb toes. Prior to Your decompression and Fusion? Also Feel like your going crazy. Is about how Ya describe it am there doing that. Do U take anything for the pain.

Jump to this post

I did not have a drop foot or numbness in legs, toes or feet prior to surgery. I was in a lot of pain and the surgery fixed some of it but not all. I did not feel like I was going crazy prior to surgery - it took me three years to finally get an accurate diagnosis. It was my back that was jacked up not my hips and glutes. A lot of wasted time. I feel like I am going a little nuts now because the way my back hurts is so sharp and consistently painful and it hurts to walk - I just can’t believe that my back does not have something very wrong that could be fixed. I have a prescription for Percocet but I only take it when I can’t sleep at night due to the pain. When I am not sleeping I suffer the pain so I can go out and about and try to live in the real world.

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