I'm not caged but do have the same as you in hardware and pretty much the placement is the same with the exception of the L3,I have the L4 instead. I have the same sensations that you discribe here but I thought that One, I waited too long to have my surgery (I had to jump hoops then demand it to get it) or Two, my durab surgeon who was so surprised by the condition of my nerves (very thick from the swelling) that he could't help himself and strummed my already irritaded nerves. I figured one of these two reason had caused permanant nerve damage to some degree. I still have a tender spot at the area of my L5 and was told that it was because of the hardware and was also asked if I wanted the hardware removed and of course my answer was the same as yours. Very recently I had to endure another surgery for something else but yet again was left with neuropathy at the point of one of the incision sites and at the other incision site on the same foot and on the other incision(same foot but on the ball pad, I had two procedures done at one time)on the same foot that I have been feeling those sensations thayore both do from our back surgeries. My new doctor gave me something for the nerve pain I was in constantly because what I failed to mention was that the incision under my foot didn't heal correctly and it formd a scar which made it painful to walk on but worse than that part of the nerve I had removed, well what had remaind had grown erabedded into the scar so trying to walk on that is mush like walking on a nerve! Well my new dr.had me try a new medcation called Nortriptyine for nerve pain. I was hopeful but not too optimistic since I was already on so many pain pills that did not touch the pain and I was giving up on the hope of ever walking without crutches again. One dose of that medicine and an hour later I was up and waking with my cane (thank the Lord!) and no nerve pain ALL day!!!!! Four days later I was walking on my own no cain or walker but limping becase of the scar but still no nerve pain!!! My pain would go from a 2-15 all day and night so if it's bothering you that much... I take one dose before I go to bed and it lasts me all day. I did ask for Neurontin but my Dr. said that it's been found to be not sufficiantly effective. I hope this helps you to know that your not alone and we'er all here for eachother. Try reading some of the older blogs as well.
Many blessings
