L5 back injury causing S1 nerve damage

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lisa1962

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About 3 years ago I suffered a back injury that damaged the S1 nerve. I am nurab from the knee down into 4 of my toes. I am know having foot problems with the 3 toes that are nurab now deformed turning into a s curve and turned downward so I am walking on the top of my toes and walking is very painful and difficult. The foot specialist and my back surgen have said they have never seen anything like this. Both have said there is nothing they can do. I can not function and am uable to walk in a somewhat normal fasion. Walking more than 1 block is a major effort. Please help. Any ideas. Also is the foot problem related to my back injury?
 
Tammy's right , you better get another opinion ASAP . I have the same problems but my toes don't curl , I can't bend them because there weak from nerve damage , but I thought I have read a post of someone talking about this condition before in here .

Good luck and best wishes .

Shawley
 
Lisa,
I feel so bad for you! I also have L5-S1 nerve damage and your case certainly gives me cause for concern. Since it is only the same three toes that are affected I would guess it is related to your injury. Have you been to a foot orthopedic? People with hammer toes can have surgery to fix their deformed toes. They put pins in the toes to hold them straight. My husband had this surgery and while his toes aren't perfectly straight they are much better and he doesn't have difficulty walking anymore. I would imagine that your case would be similar to that. Also maybe they could put your foot and toes in some sort of brace. Good luck, I hope they find an answer for you. Please keep us posted, we care.

Deb
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I was on Lyrica for the pain and stopped taking it do to the side effects. I had a MRI last week and should hear the results soon. I have a apt. with a different spine specialist and my foot doctor is having a special shoe or insert(?) made for my foot. Don't know how that will help me from walking on top of my toes and the pain but I will try it. If not will look for a different foot specialist. I am only in my 40s and feeling like I was lost. It is good to here from everyone else who is going through this. You dont feel so alone though I am sorry there are people out there who feel like I do everyday. I will also be getting a apt. with a Dr. who specializes in pain management. I live in Iowa. I will keep you posted and God bless.
 
Hello and welcome to the board, Lisa. You will easily find that everyone here is very helpful and eager to help you in any way that they can. May I ask if you have had any x-rays or an MRI lately? If so, were they different than the past findings? Also, do you take any medication for the pain? Thank you, in advance.
 
Hi everyone,
well here we go again. The spine specialist read my MRI and it shows significant scar tissue from my last surgery which is effecting my SI nerve and in turn is causing the pain and toe's curling. So back to my surgeon. If he will not operate on this they want to put a device in my back which will send electrical impulses to the damaged nerve to block the pain. Don't think I care for this option. I am not sure how adding this will fix my foot problem. Is there anyone out there who has a opinion on this device? I would think by having this installed I will be adding more scar tissue to this area. Guess I will wait and see what my surgeon says.
 
Lisa,
I think they are talking about a spinal cord stimulator. Do a little research on it. Involves implanting the electrodes at the nerve and then a small transmitter is implanted in the hip or buttock area. Kind of like a pacemaker transmitter. The electrical impulses block the pain. That is my limited knowledge....they are talking about one for me also. Shawley has one and maybe he can give you some info.

Hey Shawley.....Give Lisa the scoop on the SCS. Hope you are doing better after your appendectomy.

Deb
 
To all that have posted on this board: I have had 2 back surgeries and all the surgeries did is cause more pain and my neurosurgeon does not believe in giving pain meRAB stonger than Lortab and it does help it never did, I asked my doctor to send me to a pain management doctor and he wont.I am in so much pain all the time and I am only 31 years olsd with 2 very active kiRAB and I have been in pain for 2 1/2 years and nobody cares.I have had steriod injections into my back and after the injections I ended up being admitted into the hospital for 4 days.I also tried chirpractor care and that made things worse.I want to try either a pain pump that injects the meRAB into my back or have an IV put in so I can control my meRAB myself.Please if anyone here has any ideas on how to help me I am all ears even though I have tried everything to relieve my pain.PLease Someone help me the pain is getting so bad that I dont want to live with it anymore. signed:rainsierra
 
Hi Lisa,
I'm wondering if the solon location is ohio? if so I'm in cleveland and my hubby has the worst feet with arthritis and several other bone problems aside from having both feet crushed in two seperate tow motor accidents. His new foot dr. is treating him for a predislocation syndrome at the present time. The dr. is Dr. Donohue on W.25 in cleveland, ohio. If your in solon ohio I would take a peek in on him and see if he can help.

I have nerve damage from L4-S1 and have many problems from it in my left foot & leg. I understand how hard it is to live with this damage. I'm so sorry your going thru this. I hope you get help soon.

God BLess

Carol
 
I think your foot problem could very well be related to your back injury, and you need to get another opinion ASAP! If they are saying there is nothing they can do for you.. it's time to be seeing another spine surgeon.

I do hope that you find the source and please keep us posted.
 
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Thanks Deb. I will do some research on this. For me this would be a last resort because I just don't see this helping all of my foot pain. I walk funny due to my toes being curled which has caused major foot pain . The nerve stimulator could help my back,leg,and foot pain but I need relief in both areas. I need to get my toes straightened out so I don't walk so weird on my foot. Guess I will tackle one thing at a time. I've been taking it easy but as soon as I do any activity the pain starts up.
 
Dear Rain,
I am so sorry on how bad you feel. I know how I hurt and it it is so frustrating when there doesn't seem to be any help. I have been doing a lot of research on the Internet and have been impressed with a place called the laser spine institute. It is on the Internet. Look it up. My prayers are with you. With 2 sureries you may have what they call failed back surgery sindrom. It is what I have and the scar tissue is causing me all of my problems.
 
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