Stinging Pain In Lower Back Posted: 06-14-07 13:49pm
I wanted to get some opinions on what
might be going on with my back now. I had
my first surgery when I was 12, for
scoliosis. 3 years ago I had L5-S1 fused
because of spondolythesis. In August of
2006 I had a revision on that surgery. Now
I'm having severe pain in my lower back
(again) along with stinging pain that
shoots down my leg, from my butt. I can't
walk for long periods without the pain
getting worse and my back tightens up just
from sitting. I want to see a doctor, but
I'm afraid that surgery might be in my
future again.
Does anybody have any idea of what might
be going on now? Thanks for any advice.
Last edited by olliecat on 06-14-07 14:21pm; edited 1 time in total
|
Fairy*Godmother
Supporter
Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 1378 Location: , Georgia USA
Thanks: 44
Thanked:56
Hi Posted: 06-14-07 13:57pm
Hi there, sounds like you have a pinched
nerve or the sciatica(nerve that runs down
thigh has something going on with it. Yes,
you need to see your physican, if its a
pinched nerve, bulging /herniated disc or
you could have deteriation of the cushions
in between,you still need to have this
looked at. Another surgery is not what you
need to be thinking about, cause it may be
your only solution to getting to the root
of the problem. Hope you get this taken
care of and its only a minor set back for
you. Get to feeling better soon!
|
sillyakchick
Moderator
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
Thanks: 4
Thanked:0
Posted: 06-14-07 14:17pm
I am guessing that you had L5-S1 fusion,
is that correct? How old are you now?
What is your body weight and height? What
is your daily/weekly activity level? How
many years ago was your surgery? You
could be having a simple case of sciatica
which can be caused by many things, such
as daily activities, body habitus, or
having your pelvis "off kilter". It could
also be caused by an L5 radiculopathy
caused by an impingment of the nerve. If
you are not wanting another surgery (which
I can completely understand), you might
consider going to see an osteopathic
physician who does manipulation.
|
olliecat
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 2
Posted: 06-14-07 14:27pm
Yes, sorry about that, I fixed it. L5-S1.
I'm 28 now, 130 pounds, 5' 6" tall. I walk
every day, twice a day (with my dog). I
used to be much more active (a bike rider)
but haven't been able to do that since my
second surgery. My first surgery was 16
years ago, my second was in December of
2004, and my last one was 10 months ago. I
know my hips are misaligned because I
still have mild scoliosis. They realign my
legs in physical therapy, but it's always
temporary. Although I don't want surgery,
I'd consider whatever would help me get
back to my regular activity again.
|
sillyakchick
Moderator
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2690
Thanks: 4
Thanked:0
Posted: 06-14-07 14:53pm
You are very young, and because of that I
would reccommend to you that a
non-surgical rout may be your best bet.
When your therapist adjusts your legs,
does the pain go away for a little while?
If so, you might ask about a trial of a
small heel lift in your shoe. This can
help keep your hips from becoming
misaligned ( it is called a sacral
torsion). This may hold you in place
better without having to re adjust ll of
the time. You also might ask about an SI
belt. This can also help hold your pelvis
inthe right place after your adjustment.
I am certain that you are involved in a
lot of stretching and proper exercise with
your PT right now, and that is good. You
are well within your ideal body wiegth for
your height, and that is a good thing.
Core strengthening can help protect your
back from future "blow outs". You may end
up needing an MRI to assess the amount of
impingemnt, if any, going on back there.
Regardless, I would get an opinion from a
couple of ortho and neuro surgeons before
procedding with additional surgery.
