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Nerve damage resulting from incorrect pedicle screw placement.

Posted by dennymt @dennymt, Nov 19, 2023

Had L4/L5 lumbar fusion in October, 2022. L5 pedicle screw "stretched" my nerve, resulting in severe right leg weakness and right drop foot. Screw was removed January, 2023. Even though I have read where damaged nerves do heal, although slowly, my neurosurgeon told me it is unlikely my condition will improve. I am unable to walk with a cane or walking sticks. Anyone else had nerve damage caused my incorrectly placed pedicle screw? How did that affect you? Did your nerve heal?

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dennymt | @dennymt | Nov 19, 2023

Correction to above post: I am unable to walk WITHOUT a cane or walking sticks.

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debduh11 | @debduh11 | Nov 20, 2023

I had a sacral plate put in that area. An x-ray showed that the plate has since broken in two and the hardware (screws not where they were placed.) This could very well be what is causing my pain to get progressively worse. However, no local neurosurgeon will remove these. (I had the previous surgery out of state. )

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gently | @gently | Nov 20, 2023

sorry for answering, because I haven't had fusion. But
Has the offending screw been removed. There is an endoscopic surgery for such, but you need a surgeon skilled in this specialized procedure. I assume that the screw remains and may prevent nerve regeneration. You might pursue second opinions.

Anyone have familiarity with a surgeon so qualified at Mayo?

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dennymt | @dennymt | Nov 20, 2023

Screw was removed January 2023. Noticed some improvement until about this past June. Met with a Mayo neurosurgeon last week. He was not optimistic I would see any further healing of the L5 root that was damaged.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Nov 20, 2023
In reply to @dennymt "Screw was removed January 2023. Noticed some improvement until about this past June. Met with a..." + (show)
@dennymt

Screw was removed January 2023. Noticed some improvement until about this past June. Met with a Mayo neurosurgeon last week. He was not optimistic I would see any further healing of the L5 root that was damaged.

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@dennymt Something surgeons may not think about is the scar tissue created by the surgery. It can get tight and cause some pain. I periodically loosen up my scar tissue with myofascial release. I am a Mayo spine surgery patient. Nerves do take a very long time to heal. I had some cold sensitivity in my hand that was a reaction to a spinal injection (before I came to Mayo) that caused electric burning pain. The initial insult of stabbing electric pains went on for about 6 weeks before it faded to heat/cold intolerance. That went on for about a year an a half before the sensitivity eased up.

Here is our discussion about MFR which helps me a lot. There is a provider search at https://www.mfrtherapists.com/

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Mayo does have a couple chiropractors in Rochester who do MFR. You can find them if you search for "myofascial release" on the main Mayo website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/. They work in a rehab department.

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