@mpietz11 I too want to welcome you to the Mayo Connect community. I have had direct experience with my L5-S1 for which I had a laminectomy Dec 2016. My surgery has been successful in relieving the pain on my right side. However, I continued with nearly debilitating pain on the right side of my back, hip, thigh, knee, ankle and toes. I couldn't go up or down steps & I couldn't walk without tremendous pain. My back surgeon encouraged me to look for relief from everything other than surgery. I tried acupuncture, massage, physical therapy and pills, but nothing worked. Then, on Mayo Connect, I read about ART, Active Release Technique therapy. I did research on Google and found a qualified chiropractor in my area. Within 2 months, using ART & laser treatments, my pain was minimal. I am currently without pain and have been this way for at least 6 months. I go once a month for tweeks to make sure everything is good.

I cannot imagine having 2 laminectomies and still being in pain. I recommend that you contact a Mayo site close to you for an examination. I have had direct experiences with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I know they are excellent and thorough diagnosticians and physicians. I talked briefly to someone in the research group that is looking at stem cell therapy. If you call them they will let you know how they work. The cost for most stem cell injection was about $7,000 - $12,000 when I asked about it a year ago. It's not covered by insurance.

One of the most important things in any surgery is the competence of the surgeon. I was lucky to have a nurse neighbor and she recommended a surgeon at St. Jude's Physicians near me. I always tell my friends to get recommendations for all health caretakers, online research about the physician and the hospital to assure you have excellent care.

I'm hoping others in our community will share their information with you, and you find some answers, or things to try.

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