Quad muscle soreness due to spinal stenosis

Posted by tkrfail21 @tkrfail21, Jun 23, 2025

I have stenosis of 3rd,4th,5th lumbar. Pain management dr says it is the reason my quads are so sore it hurts to squat or even lift up my legs. Had ablasions and epidurals which have eliminated the back pain but not the muscle soreness. Any suggestions?

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Profile picture for Anonymous519981 @anonymous519981

I have stenosis also, 3rd, 4th, 5th and probably in my cervical. I could barely walk, had hip pain mainly. After injections into my hip joint X3 which did nothing. 4-5 years later, stenosis was finally diagnosed. I had lumbar laminectomy surgery with no fusions 10 years ago and today I can walk as far as I want to. Best decision I ever made.

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@anonymous519981 . Me too with the lumbar stenosis and laminectomy and now cervical stenosis. My lumbar surgery was 4 yrs ago.

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Sorry my reply posted to wrong question

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I have been having terrible pain down my butt, calf and over the top of my foot. Often after walking or after my Pilates tower class. When I lean back while standing, my lower body starts going numb. I assumed the pain was sciatica. Maybe not? The recommended exercises are not helping. I sm 73 yo F.

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I ended up having spinal fusion for the stenosis & am so glad I did.
Then had a hip replacement & now seem to be able to do most things without pain.
Orthopedic Surgeon! & physical therapy afterwards is most important.

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Profile picture for cathy2223 @cathy2223

Exactly could you please tell me the procedure name of the surgery.
Thanks 😊

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@cathy2223
Spinal fusion?? K

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Profile picture for legeke @legeke

@hope2heal I am sorry about all the frustration and pain you are currently dealing with. I remember that so well. My PCP told me that the pain that came across my foot to the outside of my ankle was not related to back but it is a dermatome and it was cured with the surgery for me. I was trying to be treated at an instate, university setting but they didn't seem to have any interest in really looking/listening to me. Wanted me to go to pain service which I did. The pain MD didn't talk, just pulled out his badge so I could see it and talked down to me. I then self referred to Mayo and am so glad I did. My surgeon was Dr. Arjun Sebastein. He was incredibly kind, listened closely to my story and validated it was from my spine. Prior to Dr. Sebastein, I saw 2 other doctors on the intake team who evaluate you independently of each other and then you are given a plan. The second doctor said I needed an epidural injection...not a nerve root injection which is what the instate institution did which did not work. WOW!!! I cried I was so happy to get relief from that injection. Everyone I interacted with was very kind and answered questions and if they couldn't they contacted someone who could. I had my surgery and they allowed me to follow up at my home state PCP, but they also contacted me at week 2 and then 6 I believe it was...by then I was walking 5-6 miles a day. It was unbelievable the relief I had from surgery. I wish you the best and hope you get relief like myself and others have. Don't give up and don't be afraid to seek a higher level of care when you get stonewalled. You know and you feel what you feel...it is real. All the best and update us and let us know what you find out.

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@legeke hello, I’m glad to hear that you are feeling much better. I am hoping to get some relief from severe quad and leg pain due to my spine issues. Did just the epidural injection give you the relief or did you have surgery?

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Had ablation of L3,4,5. Took several months but no quad pain now

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Profile picture for cardam @cardam

@legeke hello, I’m glad to hear that you are feeling much better. I am hoping to get some relief from severe quad and leg pain due to my spine issues. Did just the epidural injection give you the relief or did you have surgery?

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@cardam The first injection I had was the epidural and it gave me 5, wonderful months of relief. I did have surgery eventually, L4/5 laminectomy. When I was told I could walk, I did, painfree for 5-6 miles, easily without pain and a huge smile!! Cannot forget how wonderful it felt to be able to walk again…painfree! I wish you the same results..keep reaching until you achieve your goal!

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Profile picture for legeke @legeke

@cardam The first injection I had was the epidural and it gave me 5, wonderful months of relief. I did have surgery eventually, L4/5 laminectomy. When I was told I could walk, I did, painfree for 5-6 miles, easily without pain and a huge smile!! Cannot forget how wonderful it felt to be able to walk again…painfree! I wish you the same results..keep reaching until you achieve your goal!

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@legeke thanks so much! I may had missed the type of surgery in your post. I had a discectomy and laminectomy of L5 S1 nearly 2.5 years ago, and it helped the severe sciatica but since the surgery, I have awful quad, calf and foot pain, especially with too much activity. I thought perhaps there was something different you had tried…going to try the epidural at this point, as I’m told fusion would be my only option surgically. I’m so happy you found relief!! Please take care!

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Profile picture for cardam @cardam

@legeke thanks so much! I may had missed the type of surgery in your post. I had a discectomy and laminectomy of L5 S1 nearly 2.5 years ago, and it helped the severe sciatica but since the surgery, I have awful quad, calf and foot pain, especially with too much activity. I thought perhaps there was something different you had tried…going to try the epidural at this point, as I’m told fusion would be my only option surgically. I’m so happy you found relief!! Please take care!

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@legeke I should add, by too much activity, it could be light housecleaning, 20 minutes of walking….it doesn’t take much and my quality of life has been so impacted. I appreciate your response!

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