Cyst causing back pain

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wwill

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I have a long-winded history of issues with my lower back, but not much worse than anyone else!! I have had a discectomy/laminectomy at L4-L5 at age 28 and then 2 years later I had a discectomy/laminectomy at L5-S1, 2 years later I had a spinal fusion at L4-S1 with 2 titanium roRAB and 4 pedicle screws. Each time, according to both neurosurgeons were a fluke, so unfortunatley, I do not know what to do diffrnet or better to stop this from happening! Happily, with the help of my pain clinic physician who performs epidurals on me about every 3 months for the past 4 years, I have survived and even conquered at times. But sadly, recently I have had some additional, different types of pain. I have atrophy of my left foot and calf because I waited so long on the first surgery, but still have nerve pain there - even worse lately. Lots of sharp pain in the arch of foot, in my knee and even my lower back. I had an MRI and it showed: 8mm non-enhancing cystic change consistent with a small synovial cyst or nerve root sleeve cyst. Anyone have a clue? I am thinking talk to my pain physician and see what his opinion is - he promised me 5 years ago he would help me as much as he could for as long as he could!
 
You might want to read about Tarlov cysts. I do not know if that is what you have, but it sounRAB similar and is in the right location for Tarlov cysts. A young woman (about 23) I know has this problem and consulted with one of the top experts in the US. Very few doctors are willing to surgically remove them, and she decided to go the pain management route rather than trying surgery, which can make the situation worse.

I hope your situation is something else and not as complicated...but you might read up on Tarlov cysts just so you have some idea of what it MIGHT turn out to be...then you will be able to ask better questions when you have a chance to see your doctor.

These cysts fill with cerebrospinal fluid which can press on the sacral nerves, resulting in a great deal of pain.
 
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