Can a Disk be bad if it has not ruptured?

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parman

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Since my surgery in March I have had only 1 month of near pain free. I had a discectomy at L3-L4 that had ruptured. Now I'm having burning at the disk site and my right leg is either nurab or very weak. The only thing that helps is sterioRAB which I know I can't stay on for a long time. Had a MRI last thurs. nite that was inconclusive according to my nuerosergeon. He ordered a milogram for this friday.
I'm just wondering if anyone has had a bad disk that caused them alot a pain. Something that did not show up as ruptured. Is there such a thing? I don't know. Hoping someone can shed there experiences with me. Wishing all good health!
 
Has anyone had a back problem that tests never showed the problem? I'm dragging my right leg around waiting for results from myelogram. MRI from a week ago thurs. did not show anything. I had these same tests done in may and everything looked fine. Only difference this time is that my back is burning at the incision site from surgery in march. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Sad to say, it isn't unusual for an MRI not to show the problem. You will get better results from the myelogram. I take it you already had it done? If so, call your dr. and let them know your leg is dragging! That is a serious symptom of nerve damage. Your ns should respond quickly. Please let us know.

Carol
 
Thanks for replying Carol. Yes I had a myelogram this past friday. Will probably get results on mon. I will let you know the findings.
Thanks!
 
My nuerosurgeon's secretary called today. Told me that my tests showed normal post surgery changes. Said I was healing. I told her that I was hurting more now than when I had surgery in March.My right leg is so heavy I can't hardly walk. I take sterioRAB just so I can continue to work. Without sterioRAB I would be laid up at home. I know I can't stay on sterioRAB for very long. It's very depressing to hear that everything looks okay. My fusion at L5-S1 in 2004 was less painful than this discectomy I had this year. The doctor's secretary said she would have the doctor call me but he hasn't as of yet. I don't know what's worse, the burning pain at the incision site or my right leg when I walk. Does anyone else have similar problems from a recent surgery?
 
Finally talked with my doctor. He said that I should think about disability. My microdiscectomy he performed on me has been harder on me than the fusion I had in 2004. I just don't understand. I was feeling better at 6 wks. post surgery, then my right leg started feeling so heavy. Doctor said it was a nerve that would calm down in time. It took 3 weeks. I felt pretty good for 1 month, and then my right leg started feeling heavy again and my back at L3-L4 started burning, especially when I got up from sitting position. Doc said with the surgeries I've had (5) in my back that I might not get any better. He talked differently back in march. Now it seems like doom and gloom. I just don't believe that there is not anything that can be done. Am going to get all my pictures (x-rays,ct-scans, mri, mylegrams) and see another surgeon. Has anyone had similar situation?:confused:
 
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