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Triple Laminectomy w/spinal fusion leg pain
I am 77 years old with a long history of back/spine pain and chose to have surgery in March of 2025. It is now August 10th and my leg pain is getting worse. Cramping so bad I loose my balance. Shooting pain in both legs. I have been on Gabapentin again for about 10 days, trying to stay up as much as possible but it's 2 hours up, 2 hours light housework/laundry and 2 hours down (either bed or sofa). My spine was pushing on the spinal cord causing pain and other issues but I thought this would be better than a wheel chair. Anyone else have solutions to pain. I could not tolerate PT and over the last several months my leg strength has gone for really good to extremely poor (post surgery). Arms are also loosing strength and articulation.
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@susieq47
I have had 2 cervical spine surgeries and one lumbar spine surgery. Both neck and back have fusions (c5-c7 and l3-l5).
Have you had X-rays and MRIs of your cervical and lumbar spine to check for new compression and instability? You may have adjacent segment issues above/below. Your arm/articulation issues can be tied to cervical spine/spinal cord compression plus it can contribute to lower body weakness.
You should have this checked as soon as possible to make sure your spinal cord is not being injured due to new compression. If your surgeon is being dismissive, you may need to find a new surgeon who is highly rated for 2nd opinion.
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Another thought is spinal injections for pain. They would need to know exactly where the source of pain is to make any difference. Also, depending on how long your spinal cord was compressed, you may have some permanent injury affecting limb strength and pain levels.
@susieq47
PSS Yiu may want to get an upper and lower EMG/nerve conduction study done by a reputable neurologist/neuromuscular specialist to see if you have any issues with nerve health and signaling in your limbs.
I'll ask my Neurosurgeon, I have a follow-up in a few weeks. TY
He has x-rays done at each follow-up intervals. They actually postponed my first scheduled surgery as they came in o the pre-op to get me bc I told them of additional pain/issues. They admitted me and did a battery of additional testing on my neck so he has recent scans and an mri
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1 ReactionDo you live near a large metropolitan area? If so, ask your doc if there is a rehab specializing in spinal cord issues? I have been lucky. All three places I have lived (one was a small town but with a university hospital) I have found one.
My surgery was performed at University of Utah, Chief of Neurgery was my
doc. I was unable physically to do PT. He is thinking because my spine
was pressing on the spinal cordfor so long there's permanent damage
Again I would consider seeing a psyiatrist. They are rehab doctors
Physiatrist is an MD who specializes in physical therapy, orthotics and rehabilitation.