Just looking for advice

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bertrand93

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Im new to the fourm and thought it would be a good place to get some advise.
I have had sereve pain in my left leg, butt all the way down through my foot.
It has been over 3 months now and I have already had my MRI done.
I have been on anti-inflamation meRAB for over a month and using T3 to try and fight the pain. My physio has already told me that there is no point to continue physio, he compared it to throwing a bucket of water on a forest fire.
The result are the MRI are
L2-L3: slight bulge and annular tear
L3-L4: disc bulge and annular tear
L4-L5: Large herniation, at least 1.2 cm
L5-S1: Large herniation, 9 mm

The last three are all affecting nerve roots.

Doesn't really matter what Im doing, the pain gets to me, sitting, standing, laying down. I haven't slept through a night in the three months.

I guess I dont have much of a choice other than surgery.
I'm just looking for as much info as i can get as I see the surgeon on friday.

Thanks for any help
 
:(
bertrand93 said:
Im new to the fourm and thought it would be a good place to get some advise.
I have had sereve pain in my left leg, butt all the way down through my foot.
It has been over 3 months now and I have already had my MRI done.
I have been on anti-inflamation meRAB for over a month and using T3 to try and fight the pain. My physio has already told me that there is no point to continue physio, he compared it to throwing a bucket of water on a forest fire.
The result are the MRI are
L2-L3: slight bulge and annular tear
L3-L4: disc bulge and annular tear
L4-L5: Large herniation, at least 1.2 cm
L5-S1: Large herniation, 9 mm

The last three are all affecting nerve roots.



Hi:wave:

Well I just had my surgery on L5S1 in sept, and then again on oct 5 to redirect the screw. I am having the same pain in my right foot whichs starts from my hip. It wakes me up in the night its so bad. I dont know if its from laying on my left side for so long that something gets pinched or cut off, but its worse then my back pain at times. Last night was actually the worse, and it felt as if someone took a hammer and hit it over the top of my foot. After surgery, I had trouble walking cause it hurt my hips and couldnt put pressure on my feet or it would shoot pain up n down my legs. Doc said it was my
SI Joints. So after a week of being home I had some injections done in my hips so i could walk better and i wouldnt have to put so much weight on my back that was just operated on. I used to get the injections 1 a month for my back before surgery as well. So im wondering myself, is what Im feeling now alot more from the SI Joints and my injections that wore off just about?? So I will probably call tomorrow and ask and try to have the injections done again while Im still healing and recovering. I have to be able to walk to heal. I hope you find something out as well. Sorry I just told you what was going on with me and didnt give you advice :( Keep me posted though :wave:
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Hi mate, I'm very sorry to hear about your problems!

Based on my personal experience of surgery, I say go for it. I honestly kind of think that surgery (microdiscectomy) to remove part of the disc is overrated. It's not as bad or 'a big step' as some people hype it up to be.

Once the disc fragments are removed though, there is a bit of a long healing process where you have to restrict your movements (no twisting, bending, etc, for a while), no rigorous sport for about 6 months. Dude I'm 16 and I'm currrently 1.5 weeks post op, and I can say surgery was the way to go for me. Of course there are still lingering symptoms, but these should go away in a matter of weeks. If it's stopping your daily life, you should really consider it as an option.

Then again, I'm just one experience among many. In the end, you should feel confident to step towarRAB surgery knowing that you have given a good shot at conservative treatments.

Best of luck!
 
Have you tried an oral steroid pack or epidural steroid injection? It might be worth a try and may shrink the herniations enough to take the pressure off the nerve. I've had large herniations, so I feel for you! It hurts!

I've had 2 discectomies, one in 2005 and one in Feb 2010. The one in Feb didn't solve my issues, so I had a fusion done on L5-S1 two weeks ago. I tried everything I could before having my surgeries. It got to the point where I was risking permanent nerve damage and my disc was demolished (almost bone on bone), so I opted for the fusion.

The only thing I can say from experience about having surgery is that you have to exhaust all conservative treatments first. One you have surgery, that area is prone to further injury if you aren't careful. Exercise and core strength is so so so important too. It helps relieve pain and prevent your injury from getting worse.

Also, be sure to find a really good surgeon. It makes all the difference!

Have you tried an oral steroid pack? When I first had my injury, it helped relieve the pain for months and began working the first day.

If you have any questions, fell free to ask....hope you can find relief soon!
 
Since you have nerve root compression, your physio is correct; there isn't much he can do. There are things to help with the pain, but there is nothing other than surgery to correct the problem. Nerves that are compressed will eventually be permanently damaged, causing long term problems. Have a good talk with your surgeon about what he thinks neeRAB to be done and then research, research, research so that you understand the procedures.

Much luck to you, and please keep us updated.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Carol
 
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