Back and Leg pain post fusion

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gjames1212

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I had my L4-S1 fused in Deceraber 07. The spine feels great but I'm still experiencing pain on the left side that extenRAB down my left leg. The pain gets worse after sitting. I saw my Dr. today and he is recomending trigger point injections as he believes the nerves are irritated.

Has anyone else had this type of issue and if so did the injections help.

Thanks!
 
Hi GJames -- did you have this left leg pain before the fusion? The reason I'm asking is I thought the purpose of spinal fusion was to help or eliminate the pain from compressed nerves. I was just wondering if you are still having the same pain that you had before the surgery, or if this is a different pain. I myself have left leg pain and have had a diskectomy, which didn't help. Spinal fusion was not recommended for me because my disks are degenerated at all levels. Sometimes I feel like just getting it done anyway because I can't imagine living with this pain (which is getting worse) for the rest of my life.

Hopefully someone else can help with your questions, and good luck with your recovery.
 
Hi NotPerky,

The pain that I am having is new. My spine is great although not perfect it's better than before. The Dr. thinks the pain will go away on its own usually within 8 to 10 months post op. My appointment for the injection is in 3weeks I'm hoping I start improving by then becuase I hear the injections are painful.

I hope you can find some help for your back and leg.
 
Hi there First off, welcome to the board. I agree with your doctor regarding the nerve pain. I had a L5-S1 PLIF in Nov '06. Had the same type of issues with leg and foot pain, and also pain when I would sit. Mine is due to scar tissue and nerve damage. Not saying that yours might be temporary. I had esi's to help with the pain, but unfortunately they didn't work for me. These injections do help some people though. I'm sure you'll hear from people who have had success with these. Are you on any meRAB for the nerve pain? I take Lyrica, and some people on this board are taking neurontin. Both have pros and cons. I can't take neurontin because it makes me very ill. I hope I helped alittle. Be well. Kathy
 
I am afraid the injections didn't work for me either but I appreciated my doc trying these conservative methoRAB before recommending surgery.
I am on Lyrica because it helped me personally work with a clearer head. Neurontin made me really fuzzy-my family calls it "Moron-tin" because I couldn't even finish a sentence :jester:. Not funny at the time but looking back I can laugh.
I do take the larger dose at night. My doc recommended this to help me at work.
8-10 months is a long time to wait for pain to go away!
Praying for you! I hope the injections are successful for you!
Blessings,
Michelle :angel:
 
I had L5S1 fusion Jan 3,08. A few months ago I started getting bad spasms with my left leg drawing up. This is the leg that gave out and was weak before surgery. One day at PT i must have pulled the periformus sp?? muscle. They said it was laying on my sciatic nerve. I had a trigger point that helped with my spasms. My weakness has returned. I had xrays yesterday. Ill get my results Sept 2nd. I hope you get some help. The trigger pts are painful and the needle pain wears off in a couple days, then it feels better for me.
Shannon
 
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