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Long Term Sciatica - Chronic Pain
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 8 8:08pm | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
@travelinman
Have you had a recent MRI ? What does it show? What spinal nerves are being compressed that are causing your leg/foot symptoms? Is your spinal cord being compressed (do you have spinal stenosis/neurogenic claudication)? What was your surgery supposed to address? Are you better or worse after the fusion? Did they injure a nerve?
Have you been to a neurologist for EMG/nerve conduction studies and seen other spine specialists for 2nd and 3rd opinions? Have you ever had a MRI of your pelvis/hips to see what nerves or blood vessels may be compressed? Have you ever had MRI or ultrasound of your calf/ankle to see if a nerve or blood vessel is pinched, blocked or damaged? Have you ever seen a vascular specialist? Have you ever had an ankle brachial test?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ankle-brachial-index/about/pac-20392934
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Thank you for your reply. I will answer your questions, and I hope and pray you can give me further direction.
I've had two MRIs, 1 - May 2022, before surgeries, and 2 - May 2024, both of which these of the Lumbar region and pelvis area. With the MRI’s, no mention of nerves/blood vessels being compressed. The spinal nerve being affected is.L5-S1. Not sure if the spinal cord is being compressed.
1st Surgery - August 2022 - Was for fusion at L5-S1 and “clean out” of L3-L5. The first surgery was done by a neurosurgeon who was a second opinion. The first opinion was from an orthopedic surgeon who was only going to do a “clean out” of L3-S5. (Same hospital)
2nd Surgery- October 2022 - The screws came out of my fusion, very painful and ended in emergency room at direction of my nerosurgeon who did both of these surgeries. I am being treated for my bone density situation with supplements and an infusion, followed by X-rays.
3rd Surgery - November 28, 2024 - Another neurosurgeon, different hospital network. He did a microdiscectomy to clean out around the nerve. My first neurosurgeon told me he would not do this surgery. It's only been 4 months, but this neurosurgeon said it could take at least six months for the nerve to recover, after being affected for more than 3 years. This neurosurgeon was referred to me by my first neurosurgeon.
Pain started in my lower back in February of 2022, then moved down into my leg by April of 2022. My pain is basically the same as before my fusion, the only difference is that after my first surgery, my right foot around the ball and toes became numb, as it is today. My PCP claims that possibly the neurosurgeon damaged my nerve, though the neurosurgeon who did the surgeries 1 & 2 has never admitted to that.
I have seen 2 neurologists, EMG Studies - which showed nerve problems at.L5-S1. They tried me on 6 different alternative medications as a substitute for the oxycodone, none of which worked, and the Side effects were as bad as the pain.
Right Calf/Ankle - December 2022. Saw a podiatrist who examined this area, no arthritis, said my ankle looked like a 40-year-old, though I am older. I've walked a lot and still do through the pain. No mention of nerve or blood vessel problems in this area. Have not seen a vascular specialist or had an ankle test.
I do appreciate your guidance as I am at wit's end with the pain, and taking the medication. My PCP is going to increase the dosage once again due to my tolerance with the effect of the medication on my pain. Let me know if you need any further information, and if it would be helpful to discuss by phone. Let me know what you feel would be my next steps.
Again, thank you for all the help! I am taking it seriously and will follow through.