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Foot numbness and pain after L5-S1 fusion: anyone dealing with this?
Has anyone had a failed L5-S1 fusion that introduced foot problems that didn't exist before surgery?
I had the surgery to address lower back pain and a burning sensation in my right calf. The surgery resolved the calf burn but introduced new numbness in the ball of the foot and pain when bearing weight while walking. What my surgeon didn't know beforehand is that I have a conjoined L5-S1 nerve root, an anatomical variant where two nerve roots share a single exit point, which made the nerve more vulnerable and harder to identify during surgery. He most likely injured it in the process. The MRI radiologist missed it. After the surgery a different radiologist had a look and he clearly identified the conjoined nerves. Post-surgery scar tissue has since encased and tethered the L5 root.
A second surgery 6 months later removed bone, replaced the disc with a spacer, and added rods. This made my foot symptoms worse, probably due to further nerve aggravation and additional fibrosis around the root. Too add to the frustration, the second surgery hardware is failing with screw loosening and the L5/S1 space is not fusing (pseudarthrosis). So, I also have constant back pain.
Every neurosurgeon I have consulted has said there is nothing surgically correctable and that I should either live with it or consider DRG stimulation. I looked into the latter carefully: DRG stimulation targets the dorsal root ganglion, but my injury is too far upstream at the nerve root itself for that mechanism to help.
I am now doing home self-therapy which includes neuropathic foot exercises and sensory re-education using vibration, brushes, texture discrimination, etc.
I am looking for others in a similar situation, particularly anyone who has been told the same thing by their surgeons and is actively trying rehabilitation rather than just pain management. I know stem cell solutions are probably years from now, but I'm not giving up in finding ways to regain my normal foot.
Please share. Thanks!
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Hello I do not have the same issue but severe neuropathy which is affecting my feet with similar issues.
Wondering if you have any links or examples online of the neuropathic foot exercises that can be followed? I would like to try them if there is anything online to see?
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1 Reaction@megidigo
Hello, I am using some of these exercises shown in a YouTube video titled, "Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy in the Feet and Legs" by Cancer Rehab PT channel. I can't include a link since this discussion system won't allow it. But, if you search you should find it.
I also added a few things for sensation stimulus, which I learned about from prompting Claude AI to research for me.
- I use sonic electric toothbrush with the plastic cap on. I don't use the brissles, but instead use the vibration and pass it over the problem areas. I do the same on the good foot and go back and forth with my eyes closed.
- I place a wide head back scrubber brush on the floor and rub my foot over it. Again, I do the same with the good foot to help the brain image how it's suppose to be normal.
- I have a bucket of rice and place my foot in it flexing the toes through the rice.
- I haven't tried temperature yet, but the idea is to switch between hot and cold. I just bought a couple of buckets, one for warm water and one for cold and will soak my foot back and forth.
The AI research says there's little information, if any, on whether any of these will help the nerves. The idea is not nerve regeneration but neuroplasticity with the goal of collateral sprouting or cross‐innervation or collateral branching of intact axons from a healthier adjacent nerve root or fiber into the denervated territory. This means nerves next door may learn to cross over to help the dead nerves. Again, I have no proof this really works and the studies on this are really thin.
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3 ReactionsMight anyone know if the Mayo Clinic has an specialists that cover failed spine surgeries causing foot neuropathy issues?
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2 ReactionsOh my word!!! So very sorry!! What a mess!! I had recovered many years from foot drop and my dr wanted to do a L-5 Fusion but I decided to only have a Laminotomy for my severe stenosis, a within the year my foot drop partially returned. I also still have some nerve pain. My Rheumatologist wants me to go back to my surgeon but you definitely make me think twice maybe be happy with what I have? I sure hope you get some relief! Take care
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1 Reaction@cmyrule
I'm glad to hear you recovered from your foot drop. Prior to my first surgery, I had a partial foot drop (maybe 50%) and the neurosurgeon said if I don't do the surgery for the disc that the foot will get worse. I learned after the surgery from others that I should have done physiotherapy for a few months. Looking back, I would trade a foot drop with what I have now. Everyone is different, but keep in mind that spine surgery success rates are closer to 50% or lower, not the 90% advertised. I now share this video from UCSF orthopedic surgeon to those contemplating. On YouTube, search for this title: "Bio-markers and Risk Assessment for Spinal Surgery - Christopher P . Ames, MD". Jump to position 6:27 and check out the chart he shows. Good luck and stay healthy!
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1 ReactionPain on my foot? How about little feeling instead? That’s me.
@gregd1956
That sounds similar to me. I have both pain and low sensitivity under the foot and under some of the toes. Strange to have both pain and numbness. Sounds counter intuitive and sometimes hard to explain to doctors.