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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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Herniated Disks/ Testicle Pain
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MedHelp Member's Question

Herniated Disks/ Testicle Pain

by Grant, Sep 27, 1999 12:00AM
Hello all, I went for an MRI which revealed a central disk herniation at L4-5 ans a bulge at L5-S1. I had been experiencing right testicular pain and leg/ankle pain since December 1998. Urologist put me on Cipro for 6 weeks with no improvement. Tried 3 weeks of Doxycycline - no improvement. I was diagnosed with bi-lateral Varicoceles. I opted for surgery in April of 1999. Pain did not improve. I have been going to physical therapy for the past 2 1/2 weeks for the disk problem. My right testicular pain is worse than ever. My therapist says there is a nerve at T12 that runs to the testicle. I'm not convinced that my disks are causing the pain. Could the surgery have worsened the pain? COuld the herniated disks be causing this pain? I'm reluctant to take more anti-botics. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant

Doctor's Answer

by CCF neuro MD MM, Sep 27, 1999 12:00AM
Every anatomical structure below a given level in the spinal cord recieves nerve supply from a nerve root highwer up. This includes the genital area , so if a nerve supplying a given area is compromised , then pain will be felt radiating into this area.

Therefore it is very plausible that pain in the testicle is caused by nerve root compression.

I cannot tease out the various possibilities however on the basis of the information available, since varicocoeles can also cause tesiticular pain. If there is swelling and inflammation around the surgery site the pain can be potentially worse in the short term.
Member Comments (8)

by Gary, Nov 09, 1999 12:00AM
I too have had some similar pain.  Right tesitical and abdomen but the greatest pain is in the right butt cheeck and radiates down to the back of the knee and up to the right kidney.  It's excrutiating when I stand up and when I sit down...but once standing or sitting it's somewhat bearable.  My first pass through the doctors was to urologists - thinking that I had some sort of epididimyus or seminal vesiculitus.  The last uroligist I went to seemed convinced that it was a siatic nerve problem and that I should see a back speciatist.  What's the thinking here and is this type of problem curable?



OG

by robertmoffatt@usa.net, Feb 22, 2000 12:00AM
Hello, My name is Robert.  I found a discussion of your case on the internet.  



I am experiencing symptoms similar after hurting myself 5 weeks ago.  An ache in my abdomen and my testicles turned into a burning spasmodic pain in my abdomen and then a sharp spasmodic pain in both testicles, alternating but most often on the left side.  Also various pains in legs, buttocks, left foot.  Intermittent abdominal pain is spreading from left side, across front, to right side.  Can't sleep without pain medication, hurts even when laying still from breathing.



I'm trying to help my Dr.s to help me, and I am looking for information on the internet.  So far I've had a sonogram of my testicles (result - normal) and an MRI of my L spine.  The urologist seemed confident that the problem was most likely back related.  They've ruled out hernia (what I originally thought), testicular torsion, infection, tumors, etc...



The Pain Management Dr. is trying to help me, but suggested that testicular pain is not typical from herniated discs, and the work comp people might have a problem with it. I've been looking online and have found some supporting accounts of this.  So far an MRI shows a protrusion at L5 (I think that's what he said) but he says that it doesn't necessarily account for the burning pains that I've also had in my abdomen.  He is wants to schedule another MRI (to look at my mid-level spine and another sonogram)



Would anyone willing to tell me about your case, talk to me about this,  or offer any suggestions.

by W. B. Wylie, Mar 05, 2000 12:00AM
I also have testicular pain.  It spreads through my right hip and lower back. Three Doctors suggest that it's just nerves but no one seems interested in finding the cause. One even prescibed a psychotropic medication.  I tell ya, it's not in my head!  It has been chronic and constant for two years. It seems worse now. What tests should I ask to have done to find the cause?

by Greg, Mar 27, 2000 12:00AM
I too have right testicle pain. I've had it for three years. I have a constant dull ache, which I try to ignore when at work. If I do activities that involve a stepping up movement(like going up stairs, walking up hills) the pain flares up to a brutal stabbing pain in my testicle. I also have the pain in the lower right abdomen on the right side. I have been examined by three urologists and two primary care physicians, and they all say I don't have a hernia. I went to a pain clinic at a Boston hospital and they were unable to help me. I read these forums and I know other men are suffering with the same symptoms. There must be some relief possible, some treatment I can pursue. The pain clinic doctor thought it was nerve related. I can feel the pain come through my abdomen. Some days I think it is back related because when I strained my back a couple of times the pain was referred to my testicle. Any suggestions? thanks. Greg

by Raouf Zaki, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
I agree with the Doctor. and I share yur pains, For almost a year now, I have been suffering from numb feet, hands and face following a 2 hour traumatic ordeal with a snake in my yard. The numbness was replaced by shooting stabbing pains