L5S1 Radiculopathy in left foot

@jorgy20 Thank you for following up here. Did anyone suggest a standing or seated MRI? There are places that do those. Sometimes a full spine standing X-ray is done. Was there any comparison on imaging like an X ray in different positions looking for slipping of vertebrae that may only happen in the positions that gives you the pain? When you stand, what is your posture like? Are you stooped over? Have you tried any physical therapy? I remember, you were seeing a 6th year neurosurgery resident at Mayo. Those clues about how your pain changes with your posture and body position are very important to communicate to the doctor.

Mayo does have an Office of Patient Experience that you can contact and it does result in a review of the records if you feel the visit was unsatisfactory. They may assign a different doctor at Mayo.

There was also this document about how other problems can mimic a spine problem. I don't understand this well enough to comment on that, but you could show this to your doctors, or even the doctor at Mayo and ask if your issues are similar to what is explained in this document. You could do that on the portal.

"How to identify and treat lumbar plexus compression syndrome (LPCS)"
Posted on March 30, 2017 by Kjetil Larsen
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/

The author, Kjetil Larsen, is also on facebook and posts this regularly about patients he sees. You could ask him a question and see if he comments. Obviously no one can diagnose over the internet, but you can learn how problems like this occur.

Surgeons do have to figure out exactly where the pain is coming from, because, otherwise, if they operate, it might not solve anything, and they wouldn't want to put your through unnecessary surgery.

I know this is frustrating. I went through stuff like this because surgeons kept missing my diagnosis and coming to Mayo made all the difference for me. There were 5 surgeons before Mayo who all got it wrong and wouldn't help me. Get as many opinions as you need from expert surgeons. My Mayo surgeon was Jeremy Fogelson who was trained at Mayo and teaches in the neurosurgery program. He is a deformity specialist and does some big surgeries and simpler ones like my cervical fusion. Will you be asking your current specialists about the changes in your symptoms with standing and sitting?

@jenniferhunter Dr Kumar was who suggested planter fasciitis in neurology. Yes, I’ve asked the question about sitting or standing mri to all 3 and it was shrugged off. No other imaging offered. I spent a lot of time discussing what I was experiencing, and asking questions. Still don’t have anyone offering an answer to if I continue to wait it out, will permanent damage occur. No one will say.
Yes on PT, for over 3 months now. They couldn’t believe Mayo (of all places) suggested not doing anything or that it could be planter fasciitis, and really haven’t given me any indication of what it could be.
I just don’t know why they even offered to see me in the first place when they had my imagining etc and didn’t see anything. Could have saved me weeks, travel and hotel by just saying so if they are only going to go off of mri and it’s not enough for them to offer anything. Beyond disappointing.

@jorgy20, this sounds like a situation that should be shared with Mayo Clinic's Office of Patient Experience. I encourage you to contact them.

Mayo Clinic Office of Patient Experience
Phone: 844-544-0036 (toll free)
Email: opx@mayo.edu
https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience

Staff are available to discuss cconcerns you have regarding your medical care. Your experience certainly sounds like something Mayo Clinic would want to act upon.

Hi Jorge-
I read with interest your post and subsequent thread of responses and follow-on discussion…see my post earlier regarding neuropathy in my left foot.
I have had the condition since I think 2008 or maybe 2009….subsequent to my fusion of L5/S1 in 2007. Docs tell me the condition is due to scar tissue, which of course they say can be removed with additional surgery!?!?
Yes, it is uncomfortable to live with, but in my case tolerable (age 78)…up until I developed the blister and subsequent sore on my ankle bone.
Prior to that it bothered me mostly in the evening hours while watching tv…my foot gets “freezing cold”, probably due to the lack of circulation.
I find it uncomfortable to wear socks and anything that confines the foot. I am truly concerned with the current condition however…a wound that won’t heal!
In any case, I will avoid additional back surgeries at all costs!!!
Best of luck to you with finding a non-surgical solution!
Bill

Thank you very much. I did ask the same to neurosurgery and they are going to have another doc look at me in their group.

Hi Bill,
I’ll see if I can find your post. I know everyone says to avoid fusions and I really hope I can, but I have nerve pain in my feet and numbness in my leg and that’s been keeping me from my job and being a dad. I’m 45 and have been out for over 3 months.

U can find my post under neuropathy group…I have always been told it is neuropathy…guess it’s really what you called it as it is being caused by scare tissue from the surgery wrapped around the nerve…at least that’s what the neurosurgeon told me…he wanted to open up the back, go in and remove the scar tissue…said it would be like when I was a child and had to have bubble gum removed from my hair…one slip of the knife and he cuts the nerve making me an invalid…no thanks - I’ll live with the discomfort although at times it’s not fun…frustrating!
Good luck!
Bill

I had very simialr symptoms due to a large synovial cyst pressing on the left S1 nerve root. Very obvious from the MRI. Based on past experiences (I'm 72), I wanted to get it removed. Talked to 2 back surgeons and went with the one who recommded fusion of L5/S1. Had cyst removal and fusion on 10/31. I am now significantly improved - much better muscle strength and balance. Can walk 3 mi insted of just one. HOWEVER I still have lots of tingling and numbness in my left outside toes and ankle. Had this before surgery and its starting to look like permanent nerve damage- won't really know for 10 more months.