Sciatica from L5-S1, could symptoms be present in both legs?

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phils95cobra

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I have had several MRI's over the years, and basically they show degenerative disc disease, primarily on the left side, S1 nerve root. Even though the MRI shows a huge herniation/ rupture into the left side root, it doesn't show anything on the right side, but I will say this, I get pain down the right side as well, just no where nearly as bad as the left. Is it possible to have this type of pain with no evidence of herniation on the the opposite side of the herniated disc? Could this be sympathic pain?

Thanks
 
Have you had a flexion/extension X-ray? It is possible that you may have some instability at the L5-S1 segment. That level is the most common one for the development of spondylolisthesis, which is where one vertebra slides over the top of the one adjoining it. This can lead to a nerve compression...and because there is movement, the symptoms can move around.

Also, and probably more likely a reason for you...when you have leg pain, it affects all your body movement. Even without realizing it, you are probably compensating somehow for that pain. This can result in certain muscles being used more than others, creating muscle irabalances...changes in gait.

Another possibility could be that with a ruptured disc, some of the fluid from the nucleus of the disc leaks and it is very irritating to the nerve roots. It can cause inflammation of the nerve itself or surrounding tissue, which is often enough to irritate the nerve and cause the radiating pain you feel from time to time in the other leg.
 
It's also possible that the MRI did not show something....was it done with contrast? I think you should discuss this with your dr. as he might want to order another MRI or ct-scan.

Carol
 
It was done without contrast (done by VA, and the don't like to use contrast.
 
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