L5-s1

So far, I’ve had 5 epidurals in the last three years, and the last one finally gave me some relief. I still have pain and probably always will, but I will do another epidural this year.

I was told a long time ago that my back pain should not be addressed by a chiropractor so make sure a Neurologist is addressed this question.

justbec2004, I wasn't thinking of the epidural, but a facet block. Sorry the chiropractor is a bust, remember that they come in as broad a range of skills as the doctors do. I would find another chiropractor. But you may be exhausted with all this. It is exhausting.
Are there positions where the foot doesn't hurt?

No unfortunately my foot hurts 24/7. I will have to ask about a facet block

@justbec2004 I understand your hesitation. It is hard to make a decision without clear answers. Spine issues can cause leg pain. I had that myself, and my issues were compression of the spinal cord in my neck. Those nerves in the spinal cord travel long distances connecting with other nerves to get to the places they service like your foot. Typicality, surgeons will refer a patient to a neurologist for nerve testing to try to determine if nerves are functioning well and confirm where the problems are. If a nerve is compressed at the nerve root in the foramen (space between vertebrae), it is easier to confirm specifically that the compression is causing the symptom. If the spinal cord is compressed in the spinal canal, it's more difficult to be specific because the spinal cord moves inside the fluid and it's a huge bundle of all the nerves going everywhere. Certainly there may be issues in any body part below the level of spinal cord compression.

The L5S1 level between the spine and pelvis is more difficult to fuse according to surgeons I have heard talk about this. That level is bearing most of the body weight. If that level becomes unstable and vertebrae start to slip, it can affect walking. Here is a Mayo case about a similar circumstance that is from the surgeon who did my surgery. If you wish to consult another surgeon and can come to Mayo, Dr. Fogelson would be an excellent choice. He is a talented surgeon and a compassionate man.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sharing-mayo-clinic-spinal-surgery-saves-teen-swimmers-mobility/
Certainly, you need to get a lot of answers when making a big decision. Sometimes, surgeons can't exactly say what your pain will be after a surgery and recovery. You do also need to consider function because you don't want nerves to be so damaged that they die and you loose that function or become somewhat disabled. Asking what is likely to happen without surgical intervention helps a patient understand what is at stake. Surely there are risks not just for choosing surgery, but also for choosing not to do surgery.

What other questions would you like to ask a spine surgeon at your next visit?

Did your foot and toes hurt? I can barely touch my big toe it hurts so bad. Also thank you for helping me

I had an emg test last week and it was normal but still have excruciating pain in back to foot. Wouldn’t my emg be abnormal?

@justbec2004 Yes, I do remember my foot and toes hurting and weak when I was driving the car which made it ache a lot. The EMG tells the doctor if your nerves are working. If it was normal, that's a good thing. If a nerve had died, it would be an abnormal finding.

Will you be seeking another opinion?

Thank you for clarifying the emg test. I noticed that the pain the goes down leg and around ankle bone on side of foot hurts so bad when walking and also the heel. I assume this is coming from my back also?

They called and said the emg test shows its not coming from my back. Then why does it hurt so bad in my back where the herniated disc is? I am so frustrated now they want me to see a neurologist