Legs and listhesis

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Linda_in_NJ

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I know that somewhere this has been posted on the boarRAB but I have to ask again anyway. Does anyone with spondyliolisthesis in lurabar area have leg pain? I'm not talking just some aches or pains. I'm talking about extreme pain and weakness when walking. Like you just can't go on and you feel like just falling to the floor? My thighs feel so weak when I go out somewhere, which is not often, that I feel like I can't go on. I need to hold onto things or just stop and stand there for a few seconRAB in order to continue. I started walking with a limp and I waddle when I walk. I am scheduled for surgery in August but I believe the back can cause this pain. What if it's something else?
 
Spondylolisthesis can cause nerve impingement which in turn can cause the symptoms you hare having. When I was diagnosed I, at first, thought it was a hip/leg problem until x-rays and MRI showed it was actually spondylolisthesis. Since spondylolisthesis is a slippage it thus can cause nerves or other structures to become affected in the lower back.
 
Linda,
you describe typical pain of spinal problems. I have what you have + a lot more; i had 2 spinal fusions with PLIF 360, lami/decompression, with 4 levels fused and SIJoint also. Anyway, this is what I left with: nerve damages which causing me all this pain as well.
Pain you are experiencing related to nerves; either this is compressed nerves, damaged nerves (although I don't think so b/c it would cause other more severe symptoms). I hope that during your surgery they will be able to relieve them and you will feel so much better.
Sweetie, what kind surgery are you having? Where do you go for this? Who is doing it? August what? I want to say a prayer for you when you go...

Hugs, Moldova
 
Linda

I have a friend who had surgery at Overlook a few years ago for a benign brain tumor - she said the care was excellent. When I lived in NJ the only hospital I was ever treated at was Morristown Memorial.
 
Thanks Spine and Moldova, I am going to a spine specialist in Chatham. I have checked him out on the computer and he seems very qualified. Went to John Hopkins etc. I will need a 360, front and back. My L3-4 disc is totally gone so it is rubbing bone on bone. He will put a cage in. I also have listhesis at L3-4 due to an injury. It is grade 1. I understand all the back pain and getting used to it but the leg pain is horrible and I would never have believed it stems from the back. My front thigh muscles and sides of my thighs are the worst. I cannot walk for more than 10 minutes at a time due to the feeling of extreme weakness. I also have cramping in my calf muscles and my toes are tingly.
I just had another MRI due to the fact my bladder and bowels are acting up but the impingement has not worsened. Like I said before, I never thought these symptoms would come from my back. I thought I had lupus, or ms, or ALS but very extensive blood cultures and tests everything came back ok. My surgery is here at Overlook hospital in Summit on August 13th. Thanks for all your answers. Keep them coming Love Linda
 
I just received all my pre-op instructions for surgery on August13. They changed the hospital to Morristown Memorial. I also found out that my doctor is the 3rd best in the state. That makes me for better. He is a very nice man, but on the young side. But we have a good relationship already, which to me is very important. I don't like these stuffy better than God doctors who think they know everything. Even his office staff is great. I can't wait to get this over with. So far July is dragging by. Really don't know what to expect in the pain department for I am preparing for the worst. I'll try to keep in touch with the board.
 
Linda,

Yes, I too was troubled with excruiating leg pain coupled with my grade 2 Spondy. Mine was concentrated in my right calf area, and it felt like somebody was literally ripping the skin off of my bone. It was absolutely horrid pain. My MRI positively confirmed that I had nerve impingement at L5 due to severe bilateral spinal stenosis which undoubtedly is a direct result of my grade 2 spondy. Thankfully, I have managed to get that leg pain under control by using my inversion table daily. It has been well over a year now, and my sciatica has not returned. Of course, I still suffer from the chronic low back pain that goes along with having spondy and no disc left at that level...but daily exercise helps to keep the pain at a tolerable level for me. I have no plans on getting surgery at this time.
 
I'm a huge fan of MMH. Besides having been a patient there I volunteered there for years. Please let us know how it goes and if you have any questions.
 
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