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Sciatic pain after a laminectomy and L4/L5 fusion
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 11 8:11am | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
@thankful1
If epidurals still work for like 3-6 months I would have kept doing them, but mine quit.
Fusion is a broad category of types.
Biggest thing is to research, research, research.
Some fusions are done because of instability. If this is the case the pain may or may not be helped, but it probably has to be done
If the pain is coming from a problem like foramanal stenosis (I have that) where there is just no room for the nerve anymore, it is a pretty good chance it will work but there is always chances of damage created by surgery or pain being generated somewhere else.
I trust my surgeon but they are always optomistic they can fix the structure and thats a good thing but it doesn't mean a sucessful repair will equate to a pain level that you are looking for or even coming out the same or worse.
Because the fusions create extra stress on the levels above and below the fusion a lot of people end up having another fusion down the road.
I have been told realistically the goal on mine would be 50% reduction in pain, will that get me back to playing golf, mowing the lawn, rough housing with grandkids? I don't know.
It is a risk reward question to me. Right now I know the pain I have vs not knowing the result. Both surgeons I have seen would prefer me to wait.
With that said a lot of people come out really well.
When my wife had her 1st fusion looking back I wish I knew more, maybe it could have been delayed or treated more aggressively non-surgically.
Replies to "@thankful1 If epidurals still work for like 3-6 months I would have kept doing them, but..."
@jlssurplus
Sciatic pain can result from a number of factors, not the least of which is stenosis, which can be congenital (In my case) or due to age or damage, etc.
Treatment depends on a number of things--but if the Surgeon wants you to wait, and you have persistent sciatica, ask for a detailed explanation using MRI and x-ray imaging. Why?
What is the probability of success (reducing persistent sciatica with surgery, fusion?). What are the treatment alternatives? If you do not schedule surgery, what PT are you going to use? Spinal injections? Prolonged use of drugs is something you should be very cautious about! How confident are you that your surgical practitioner has the know-how and has a hospital to perform the surgery you contemplated?
I am likely needing to do an L3-4, L 2-3 fusion later this month because although the L 4-5 fusion in 2017 was successful, my aging body eventually deteriorated more. I can't turn in bed, without significant pain; and usually cannot walk straight until Noon, and with Aleve or Advil. Consequently, I am developing scoliosis.
Ask lots of questions. Life is difficult if you have persistent pain and or cannot move well or be active. It will impact your attitude and clarity of thought.
Good luck.
@jlssurplus Thank you for such a GREAT perspective and information...I had a L4-L5 Laminectomy back in 2017. I am now experiencing a totally different pain this go round. My pain is in my right thigh and it's EXCRUCIATING at it's worse (standing for more than about 5-10 minutes)...When I cook, I cannot even stand anymore, I have to sit on a stool. My neurosurgeon says I need a Fusion now and I'm quite honestly TERRIFIED because of all the stories I'm reading. You've definitely shed some light on what to ask and possibly expect. I too would like to get back to somewhat normalcy and back to swinging my golf clubs and cooking and working in the yard without the excruciating pain radiating down my thigh and leg. In your opinion what kind of recovery am I looking into as far as realistically getting back to work and just being post-surgery pain free?
Again, thank you!
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@jlssurplus yes, mine is stenosis also. The surgeon, as u say is optimistic. He thinks over 90% chance the pain, function will be better. The pain down my leg is at a 9 about 3 months after the epidural. Did u try the nerve ablation? Thanks