Since Feb of this year I have been having a lot of back pain that goes all the way down both legs around my back, buttock and pubic area, then about two weeks ago the left leg starting to feel numb, and with that the ankle won't bend and I can't bend or spread my toes. When I close my eyes and bend my toes my head tells me they are bent but then I open my eyes and they are not. So far I've had and X-ray and MRI taken and it shows that I have, I'll quote from the MRI "Central extruded herniation causing the cal sac effacement. There is disc space narrowing. High-grad bilateral foraminal stenosis with compression of both exiting L5 nerve root. L4-L5 Shallow concentric disc bulge with bilateral facet arthropathy. L3-L4 There is a leftward foraminal disc protrusion seen best in the sagittal plane. This causes high-grade compression of the exiting left occult III nerve root. L1-L2 Focal central soft tissue mass consistent with a disc protrusion." The X-ray just shows (Mild bilateral hip degenerative changes, and Mild joint space narrowing is identified bilaterally. So far the doctor had me on NSAID x 2, PT, Muscle relaxers, Tylenol -COD,Epidermal Steroid Injections x 2 and nothing is working. Should surgery be next? Any recommendations
Responses (2)
It depends on if doctor has doctor said if you have arthritis and I would get more than one doctor if u haven't yet surgery is last there is more than one kind of arthritis it could be a vessel if you have not ask a different doctor ask it can also be carpertuanarl can't spell but look in to it first please
I agree with the above answer.
Just reading the first sentence of the MRI explains a lot.
There are 4 stages:
1) disc protrusion
2) prolapsed disc
3) extruded herniation
4) sequestered ( I'm not sure if I am remembering this correctly)
#1 & 2 are partial herniated discs.
#3 & 4 are complete herniations.
You are feeling the inflammation on the nerve causing the symptoms.
You have the most common area affected lumbar and sacral because it is the weight bearing area of the spine.
As we age, the disc loses elasticity and the amount of fluid (like a gel) that supports the disc.
Your doctor seems to have covered all the bases treatment-wise.
You need to feel confident before having any surgery so I agree with second opinions.
Also the type of surgery recommended would be comforting knowing that they both agree.
The longer the symptoms continue will add to the acute vs chronic component. Chronic tends to make things more difficult.
The other consideration, beside pain and suffering and risk of falling with further injury, is that as we get older our body may have other problems developing thus increasing surgical risks.
Best wishes.
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Thank you, I've had carper tunnel before in the right & left had, so I know that is not the issue. I have seen three different doctors which two are specialist, one is a Pain Management doctor and he other is a Neurosurgeon, the neurosurgeon said that it maybe cause by the nerve damage in my spine. I just want to know if anyone had this and if they would get surgery to fix the issue. I am leading up to thinking surgery because I have started to fall, did it twice this week, and didn't know I was going down until it hit the floor, so this is something new that I will have to tell the doctor on my next appointment... but once again thank you for your feedback :)
Carpal tunnel is in the palm of your hand. Has absolutely nothing to do with your back or foot or toes. Way off base there. You have alot of degeneration going on with your back, especially with narrowing of disc space. If you have tried all other treatments, and nothing helps, it may be time to consult a surgeon. You have a nerve (sciatic nerve) being compromised. If it is a herniated, or bulging disc, sometimes surgery is the only resort. Yes do get a second opinion. L Been there, done that!!