1. < Spine Health

Does anyone have foraminal stenosis ?

Posted by annie1 @annie1, Oct 2, 2024

I had decompression/laminotomy, surgery on L3/4 and was doing pretty well for about four months but then got alot more active, walking on sand and otherwise and the throbbing pain starting coming back in my legs. The surgeon said it was coming from the Foramen now and he has to do fusion. Does anyone know about this type of pain and how to deal with in non surgically ?

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rae1112 | @rae1112 | Jan 24 2:21pm
In reply to @bannisterkl "I had spondylisthesis, foraminal narrowing and spinal stenosis. To treat it I had the laminectomy, foraminotomy,..." + (show)
@bannisterkl

I had spondylisthesis, foraminal narrowing and spinal stenosis. To treat it I had the laminectomy, foraminotomy, and he fused L2 - S1.

I'm glad I got a second opinion. 1st, I went to a neurosurgeon who was only going to fix L4 - L5. He totally missed the spondylisthesis at L3- even I could see it in the xray. (Hot shot neurosurgeon only got an MRI which didn't show it.

The 2nd and 3rd opinions agreed on the extent of degeneration and that I absolutely needed the L2 -S1 repairs along with fusion.

I went with the 2nd opinion , who was an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spines - and had the best reputation in town.
It's been 9 weeks now. I still have healing to do but I can stand, I can walk, and I can bend over... all things I couldn't do without extreme pain before the surgery.

I wish you well!

Jump to this post

I am looking at a l5 s1 extension fusion and decompression soon
I’m scared but in so much pain
I’m already fused t3-l5 for scoliosis in 2017.
Now I have foraminal and lateral recess stenosis l5 s1
Also now having horrible neck pain. I have bone spurs at c5-6

Neurosurgeon told me in going to have very reduced mobility and I’m so young he says I’m 43 not exactly super young lol
How is your mobility? I mean I’m seat limited now and due to pain have difficulty doing everything right now
I want to get to recovery and get my life back

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 24 4:05pm
In reply to @rae1112 "I am looking at a l5 s1 extension fusion and decompression soon I’m scared but in..." + (show)
@rae1112

I am looking at a l5 s1 extension fusion and decompression soon
I’m scared but in so much pain
I’m already fused t3-l5 for scoliosis in 2017.
Now I have foraminal and lateral recess stenosis l5 s1
Also now having horrible neck pain. I have bone spurs at c5-6

Neurosurgeon told me in going to have very reduced mobility and I’m so young he says I’m 43 not exactly super young lol
How is your mobility? I mean I’m seat limited now and due to pain have difficulty doing everything right now
I want to get to recovery and get my life back

Jump to this post

@rae1112 I can understand being worried about a lumbar spine surgery. Since you've already had a big spine surgery for scoliosis. what scares you about another procedure? I know for a lot of people facing a first surgery, it's fear of the unknown. What are you concerns now? How can I help?

REPLY
1 reply
rae1112 | @rae1112 | Jan 24 4:55pm
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@rae1112 I can understand being worried about a lumbar spine surgery. Since you've already had a..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@rae1112 I can understand being worried about a lumbar spine surgery. Since you've already had a big spine surgery for scoliosis. what scares you about another procedure? I know for a lot of people facing a first surgery, it's fear of the unknown. What are you concerns now? How can I help?

Jump to this post

The surgeon I saw made it seem like it was not necessary but said “ I’ll do it if you want me to” and he’s like you are going to lose a ton of mobility. He said you’re so young to have this surgery. He’s like I’m not denying there’s something going on by your MRI and CT. But he’s like I’ve seen 70 year olds having issues who got better by doing yoga or swimming.
I’m in so much pain I had to stop working last week. I loved my job. I’m so upset.
Needless to say I’m getting a second opinion.
I just remember how hard the first surgery was and I’m just scared even though I know it’s not getting better without it.
I have been dealing with this pain for over a year and a half. I’ve gotten the runaround from drs

My husband doesn’t want me to have surgery and mostly because of how the neurosurgeon reacted.
Like I’m just not working hard enough to avoid surgery.
Who wants to have surgery? But I can’t continue like this.
I am nervous about mobility but I wonder am I going to notice that much ? I mean I have little mobility now. PT told me never to bend at the hips again because I’m putting too much wear and tear on the level below. I can’t do anything now due to pain anyway so I’ve been using a reacher.
I feel really alone in all this and I need someone to tell me it’s ok that I’m not crazy for wanting to have surgery to hopefully get back to my life.

REPLY
1 reply
dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Jan 25 6:42am
In reply to @rae1112 "The surgeon I saw made it seem like it was not necessary but said “ I’ll..." + (show)
@rae1112

The surgeon I saw made it seem like it was not necessary but said “ I’ll do it if you want me to” and he’s like you are going to lose a ton of mobility. He said you’re so young to have this surgery. He’s like I’m not denying there’s something going on by your MRI and CT. But he’s like I’ve seen 70 year olds having issues who got better by doing yoga or swimming.
I’m in so much pain I had to stop working last week. I loved my job. I’m so upset.
Needless to say I’m getting a second opinion.
I just remember how hard the first surgery was and I’m just scared even though I know it’s not getting better without it.
I have been dealing with this pain for over a year and a half. I’ve gotten the runaround from drs

My husband doesn’t want me to have surgery and mostly because of how the neurosurgeon reacted.
Like I’m just not working hard enough to avoid surgery.
Who wants to have surgery? But I can’t continue like this.
I am nervous about mobility but I wonder am I going to notice that much ? I mean I have little mobility now. PT told me never to bend at the hips again because I’m putting too much wear and tear on the level below. I can’t do anything now due to pain anyway so I’ve been using a reacher.
I feel really alone in all this and I need someone to tell me it’s ok that I’m not crazy for wanting to have surgery to hopefully get back to my life.

Jump to this post

@rae1112
I understand your dilemma. I am 55 and female and had decompression and fusion of L3-L5 due to horrendous pain and weakness/numbness. Have you tried spinal injections and are you being managed for pain by a pain clinic? Surgeons do not help with pain management and don’t always refer you. I have heard that fusing L5 to S1 is really restrictive but understand where you are at struggling to function with the pain and fusion of t3-l5. Getting multiple opinions will help you make your decision.

REPLY
1 reply
dallasnana | @dallasnana | Jan 25 2:26pm
In reply to @rae1112 "I am looking at a l5 s1 extension fusion and decompression soon I’m scared but in..." + (show)
@rae1112

I am looking at a l5 s1 extension fusion and decompression soon
I’m scared but in so much pain
I’m already fused t3-l5 for scoliosis in 2017.
Now I have foraminal and lateral recess stenosis l5 s1
Also now having horrible neck pain. I have bone spurs at c5-6

Neurosurgeon told me in going to have very reduced mobility and I’m so young he says I’m 43 not exactly super young lol
How is your mobility? I mean I’m seat limited now and due to pain have difficulty doing everything right now
I want to get to recovery and get my life back

Jump to this post

After multiple spinal fusion surgeries and fractured vertebrae with repeated proximal joint failures, I saw a neurosurgeon at Mayo. He completely removed all my old hardware and did a complete new fusion from T1 to sacrum. Unfortunately, the T1 vertebra fractured almost immediately. I went back 3 months later for a fusion from C2 to T4. Now, 7 months later I am pain free. However, having C2 -sacrum fusion has limited my head range of motion by %50. Obviously, I have no bending in my torso except for at my hips. I can do ADLs and drive. I can walk, take spin classes and do aquafit. I still get tired pretty easily but that is getting better the further out from surgery I get. So sorry you are in so much pain. I hope you can get good relief from surgery.

REPLY
1 reply
rae1112 | @rae1112 | Jan 25 2:38pm
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@rae1112 I understand your dilemma. I am 55 and female and had decompression and fusion of..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@rae1112
I understand your dilemma. I am 55 and female and had decompression and fusion of L3-L5 due to horrendous pain and weakness/numbness. Have you tried spinal injections and are you being managed for pain by a pain clinic? Surgeons do not help with pain management and don’t always refer you. I have heard that fusing L5 to S1 is really restrictive but understand where you are at struggling to function with the pain and fusion of t3-l5. Getting multiple opinions will help you make your decision.

Jump to this post

I am not able to do steroids I had one in 2018 and ended up with steroid induced anxiety depression and dementia. So not something I want to repeat.
Here in Wisconsin we are made to see pain management first. I had a failed ablation. I’m in gabapentin and muscle resolve plus hydrocodone and it only slightly dulls it. Nor am I allowed to do any NSAIDs due to low kidney function.
I am worried too about loss of mobility but I’m not terribly able now with the long fusion and pain.

I am waiting on my second opinion.

REPLY
rae1112 | @rae1112 | Jan 25 3:01pm
In reply to @dallasnana "After multiple spinal fusion surgeries and fractured vertebrae with repeated proximal joint failures, I saw a..." + (show)
@dallasnana

After multiple spinal fusion surgeries and fractured vertebrae with repeated proximal joint failures, I saw a neurosurgeon at Mayo. He completely removed all my old hardware and did a complete new fusion from T1 to sacrum. Unfortunately, the T1 vertebra fractured almost immediately. I went back 3 months later for a fusion from C2 to T4. Now, 7 months later I am pain free. However, having C2 -sacrum fusion has limited my head range of motion by %50. Obviously, I have no bending in my torso except for at my hips. I can do ADLs and drive. I can walk, take spin classes and do aquafit. I still get tired pretty easily but that is getting better the further out from surgery I get. So sorry you are in so much pain. I hope you can get good relief from surgery.

Jump to this post

My fusion from t3-l5 I’m told is solid and in good shape. I can only bend at the hips as well already. That’s why I’m wondering if I’ll really notice a lot less mobility?
Although I was told a few weeks ago when I started PT never to bend again that I’m messing up my back. Said to squat. Well my knees are bad so I use a reacher now

REPLY
sstopalian | @sstopalian | Jan 25 3:02pm
In reply to @annie1 "What kind of exercise ? I do crunches, glue strengthening, something for the side of my..." + (show)
@annie1

What kind of exercise ? I do crunches, glue strengthening, something for the side of my leg. Two pain management doctors said I could just have one steroid injection and it wouldn't hurt, it's only if they do alot. What do you think ?

Jump to this post

I know that crunches are not good for the back. the injection is only to help with inflammation, and pain so one can be rehabbed and continue to exercise.

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