Back Pain With radiating Leg Pain

Sir,
  I have suffered from back, hip, and leg pain that radiates down to my foot for 3 1/2 years now. The pain was a result of an accident that envolved me binding and lifting bundles of paper. My doctor gave me pain medication and advised one week of bed rest. I was then referred to physical therapy. None of this gave me any pain relief. My doctor then gave me steroid injections that did not help. I had an MRI last year that said I have multifactorial canal stenosis at L1-2 with associated right-sided subarticular recess stenosis. Kyphosis that is thought likely related to disc pathology at T12-L1 and L1-2. The Kyphosis is contributing to the canal stenosis at L1-2. Can you explain in laymens terms what this says and what type of treatment I need? Thanks, Rick

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to nerve compression and the radiation of pain you describe.

Kyphosis is a type of angulation of the spine - which also certainly can contribute to your symptoms.  

Steroid injections are normally tried for spinal stenosis - however you mention minimal relief.  

The next step would be consideration of surgery to decompress the nerve.  Success with this approach varies from patient to patient, which studies suggesting around 60 percent of patient having satisfactory outcomes.

You can discuss the option of surgery with a neurosurgeon, as well as your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[docskalski]

A related discussion, Alternative treatment was started.