Back pain 2 1/2 months post op

  • Thread starter Thread starter ikethepug
  • Start date Start date
I

ikethepug

Guest
Hi all, New to this forum experience but have nowhere to go after Doc tells me everything is normal since my l4/l5 lurabar fusion 2 1/2 months ago; and says pain is being caused by "angry" nerves that have been "dormant for so long" and are just "waking up." I have been taking 75mg of MS Conton daily and 1800 mg of Gabapentin (Neurontin generic). I know it's only 2 1/2 months BUT I can FEEL that something is wrong. I have tingling in my feet, some weakness in my legs, and excruciating pain in my lower right back, hip buttocks area. Not to mention the nonstop pain down my leg that intensifies while trying to sleep or while sitting for too long. I have seen my surgeon three times since surgery and he keeps telling me everything is normal and xrays look good and C/T looks good...bla...bla....bla.

He did however say that the C/T revealed that right pedicle screw went through the back of the pedicle into (forget what area, reticuli?), but said that it was not hitting a nerve, "nothing to worry about" and "within acceptable limits." The pedicle screw is squarely within bone but protrudes slightly through the back of the pedicle. My question is, has anyone else experienced something similar or does anyone know if the screw that went too far could be causing my pain (that is now worse than before surgery). Thanks so much!!!

Tom
 
Hi Tom, and welcome to the back board!

I've had two fusions, 30 years apart. I'm fused from T4-sacrum. My first fusion was through the back only, the second one was a 360 (back and front). I didn't have much nerve involvement, but there are others here who did. The nerve involvement I did have took a long time to calm down. For me, it was about 6 months. From what I've read on here, that's not uncommon. It stinks, but nerves just take a long time to heal, regenerate, calm down, or whatever else they need to do. And they hurt while they're doing it!

For me, it seemed like something serious was wrong during that time I had such horrible nerve pain. Mine was in one hip and down the leg. We tried injections, but they did squat for me. It just took time. I was convinced that I needed some other intervention, that I had a new problem, but my surgeon was absolutely right and it finally calmed down on its own.

That's not to say that there's isn't a new problem for you. But please do give it time. There's simply no rushing nerve issues. And you're pretty early on in your recovery. Are things going okay otherwise?

I hope others will chime in, too. And I wish you nothing but the best!

Emily
 
Welcome to the boarRAB...

I'm sprry for the pain..been there, done that, got the meRAB to prove it! ;) You are awefully early out of your surgery. I know that you expect to feel btter than you do. I know that I did. In fact i was expecting to be nigh on pain free! But what you need to remeraber is that your surgeon moved nerves and muscles around. They don't like being moved-AT ALL! What they don't tell you is that it takes oh so very long for them to settle down and re orient themselves after they have been moved. For all the moving that they do during the day, theydon't like to be moved themselves. And they are swollen and it takes time for the swelling to go down so they can be happy also.

The pain in you feet and your leg is related to the nerves. The neurontin should help. You can try a hot bath to see if that might take the pain down some, or try some ice. 20 minutes on, then off. This would help with swelling. You might ask your doc for some anti inflametory to see if that would help calm it down some.Try sleeping with pillows under you knees and legs to keep your feet elevated and the small of your back flat on the bed. See if this helps with your sleeo. Or you might try another one of the nerve meRAB. Topomax, Lyrica are two of the others. You are on a pretty high dose of the Neurontin already.

Good luck.....and post again. We are all veterans of the back war here. I'm fused from T9-sacrum. So I'm used to it also.
 
Thanks so much for the replies. It's good to know that others are sypathetic to my situation; God knows, surgeons aren't!!!! I am encouraged by your responses and you have eased the worry and stress I have had for the last few weeks. I am NOT a patient person and I guess I was looking for more positive results a little too soon. I will check back and update my situation. Thanks again!!!
 
I had back surgery to remove a degenerative disc and then fuse L5-S1 and screws were put on the left and right side for stability while the fusion was supposed to happen. I had pain in my left side/left butt area and the CT revealed that the left screw intersected my L45 joint. I had it removed but I am still having the same pain. So I think the pain must be due to the non fusion, but you should get a second opinion. My main doctor said everything was ok, but I got other opinions and they said to get it removed. It never hurts to get more advice. good luck
 
Back
Top