Quad muscle soreness due to spinal stenosis

@cardam I have the same issue! For a long time I thought the doctors were wrong because the quad and leg pain are much more debilitating than the back pain. I haven’t been able to walk for several months due to severe sciatic pain too. Just had my sixth epidural, and if this doesn’t work, ablation will be next

An ablation isn't difficult. Insurance requires 2 test runs then a final. Doesn't hurt too much. Better than an epidural.

It sounds like if they offered you an epidural, they may be suspicious of the prior area. I hope you have as good of result as I did. Prior to my surgery I was unable to clean the house or be very active at all. It took me an hour to walk a mile. Best wishes for relief with the epidural!

Don't take surgery off the table, nerve root or myelopathy of the central spinal cord CAN do damage that can't be undone. I had several doctors tell me "get the spine surgery while you still feel good" meaning don't wait until you are suffering a debilitating neurologic deficit. While my Thoracic Microdiscectomy removed a huge 10mm HNP from my spinal canal, I am about 6 mos out from that surgery, and it appears I may have some lingering damage, I am researching what to do next to confirm this, or to blame it on my severe stenosis on L4-L5 which I need to get fixed next.

@johntow
I have pretty bad spinal and lumbar stenosis but, fortunately, for years it was asymptomatic.
But a little over a year ago it started radiating pain down my legs. A caudal epidural steroid injection about 9 months ago stopped the radiating pain and a total knee replacement stopped the rest of the pain. For now.

I have a great neurosurgeon on call. We have a deal. When the steroid shots stop working, I call him.

After my Thoracic surgery in June last year, he walked in my room, probably 30-40 min before my surgery, he told my wife who was sitting in there "his spine is a mess, from his neck to his tailbone" Two surgeries down, one more to go. I couldn't be happier with my surgeon. One thing I heard from other doctors, as I was debating about my ACDF, I just wasn't convinced I really "needed" it, these doctors told me to get the surgery done while I still feel good, in other words don't wait till it becomes debilitating , Nerve damage is the likely outcome when it gets bad, irreversable in some cases. I don't want to take a chance.....

@johntow
I agree. I injured my back and had a ruptured disk between L4-L5. The nerve pain in my quads was debilitating. I had several shots but the relief was very temporary and ended up having a discectomy replacing my herniated disc with a cadaver bone. I felt great. Then, less than a year later got rear ended at a red light by a drunk driver doing over 40mph (blew a 0.26, over 3 times the limit).

Got taken by ambulance where x-rays confirmed that the L4-L5 was completely wrecked again, which I already knew from the pain radiating down my quads. After a spinal fusion I was pain free, the only downside is that my neurosurgeon told me that I couldn't do any high impact sports or activities that require twisting my back or I would be back having more surgery to repair the area above or below the fusion. This meant no more tennis or golf!

Just saw this so sorry for the late reply.

When I was in my early 60s, I had a partially ruptured S1/L5 disc, and stenosis squeezing my sciatic nerve and causing stabbing pain in my hamstrings (it was only in one leg). My quads would feel numb but I never had pain in my quads. I could only stand for 30 seconds at a time.

One surgeon wouldn't operate unless I agreed to a fusion of S1 through L4. I got a second opinion, and that surgeon said that, yes, fusion was indicated, but that he could first try "laminotomies" on S1, L5, L4, saving fusion as a last resort. The surgeon drilled holes in the backs of my vertebrae. This gives the sciatic nerve more room and relief from stenosis. He also removed the ruptured disc fragment.

He closed using just clear tape, no stitches. The first day or two were vey uncomfortable, especially sitting down, but that quickly passed. It's over 10 years later and while my lumbar spine is still a mess (scoliosis, stenosis, listhesis, osteoarthritis), I maintain a strong set of core muscles and my new surgeon (I moved) has told me that my strong core is supporting my lumbar spine. I have avoided fusion. He said if I develop sciatica, he will have to fuse some vertebrae - my guess is S1 through L4. I'd like to avoid that.

I haven't read through all the comments. What did you learn and decide?

I know how painful sciatica is. All the best to you, and I hope you get the answers/advice/relief you need.

Joe

Hi Hope, and thanks for all this information.

My lumbar spine is a pathological mess. I had sciatica on two occasions, each affecting a different leg. I did have non-fusion laminotomies from S1 through L4 about 12 years ago, but have avoided fusion.

How was your recovery, and what impact, if any, did the fusion surgery have on your day-to-day life?

My spine surgeon has told me that my strong set of core muscles are all that stands between me and fusion of S1-L4. I'd like to avoid this surgery. But if it does become necessary, I'm very interested in your experience with the surgery and your recovery.

Thanks Hope!

Joe

Sorry for the late response. I've had two bouts of sciatica, once in each leg. Your symptoms sound like sciatica. What have you done since, what was recommended? I hope you feel better. I know what the pain from sciatica is like.

Sounds like you are active in the gym - excellent! Strong core muscles protect the lumbar spine, and Pilates is great for the core. Your sciatica may resolve w/o surgery if it is a bulging, versus ruptured, disc.

I did have laminotomies from S1 through L4. Basically, a hole is drilled in the back of each vertebra making more room for the sciatic nerve. Because bone surrounds the hole, the strength of the vertebrae are not compromised.

Wishing you the best,

Joe