leg pain after back surger

[no1crowbar]

I am a healthy 47 year old male, who has had a lower back fusion surgery 1 year ago.  I am having upper thigh pain, numbness and heaviness, even after the back surgery that.  The fusion was not only supposed to take care of my back issues but also the leg problems.  They figured that the lower leg problems were caused by a pinched nerve.  Now that the nerve is no longer pinched I am still having these problems.  Does anyone have any advice?

[opus88]

hi...are you very sure that the nerves are no longer pinched?
did he repair all the disks involved or where there others?
that still sounds llike it should be the cause of your neuropathy.
have you talked to your doctor again abt this possibility?

[no1crowbar]

My surgeon says that the nerves are no longer pinched and there are no others that are pinched.  I have talked to him several times and he just doesn't know and he does not believe in referrals.  My next step is to see a nuerologist.  Thanks for your comment

[Arborblessing]

Hi, I had back fusion L5 L6 about six weeks ago. I too still have pain(right side) from buttock to side hip, down to knee on right side or top of knee, down calf to top of foot. The foot pain doesn't really kick in unless up on it for several hours, but some days, just no relief and can hurt from the time I get up!!

I started therapy two weeks ago, three times a week, pool PT and it has been great in helping the pain. I also got a Tenns? personal machine. While it helps some, not long time results. I have also had some success, after a day of bad pain, with the Stem machine, larger than the tenns, and it is done at the PT  place, larger machine and steady for 20 mins. (tho I must say, that day and the following day are bad, then I have some relief that may last 2-3 days) . I still have the groin pain, right side, but not continuously! which in itself is a miracle.

Drs. thought I might have a hip problem, unrelated to back surgery, ugh. because of my continued groin pain. My post surgery MRI showed no pinching, etc and that the fusion looked pretty good. But this pain in my buttocks is like I have been "branded" or something...hard hard pain, even to the touch. I am told to leave it alone, cause it is the nerves still riled up in those spots, and there is no way to detox that area, cause if i rub or stimulate, it seems to make it  worse!??.

Any thoughts or suggestions to rid of this pain,  groin and down to foot?? welcomed.

Finally, I have a side situation that has me, my family dr and surgeon baffled, called by drs "weird"? My liver counts are elevated, not the ones caused by medicine levels, but the ones that indicate a possible blockage in liver or maybe gallbladdar? Anyway, we did an ultrasound, with normal results, they have run Numerous blood test, over and over again, and the one blood test area is still elevated...Not sure what to do, or ask or agree to next? Biopy? or CT?? Anyone ever have a liver problem after their surgery, not medicine related tho? I don't have any Pain in my liver or gallballdar that I can point to.. per say, unless I touch or push pressure myself in that area, and it that case, it just isn't that bad.

Also, I have been diagonised with CFS several years ago, and have managed that pretty well, but I read someone, that CFS or FD, can't spell Fibermyologal? Which I have not been officially diagonised, but that these type of chronic disorders could leave the liver in a stressed state?? or something similiar? Have you and anyone else mentioned any connection to liver and chronic disorders, that may rise up after a surgery, lasting 5 hours, etc??

I appreciate your time and responses in all cases. Thanks!

[opus88]

I am so  sorry abt all your pain, wish I could offer some suggestions.
the only thing I can tell you is the pain from groin to feet is most likely sciatica...do some reading on that and see if it sounds like what you are suffering....sciatica is a symptom...and need to find the cause of.
I have this also due to degenerative disk disease and nerve impingement.
I take medication called neurontin, its an anticonvulsant that works good for nerve pain. ask your doctor abt this possibility and do some reading up first.
good luck

[seano]

Get a second opinion! I had leg pain after being told everything was "fixed". Turned out a nerve still was in fact, pinched! A myelogram confirmed this fact. I was told by the original doctor (neurosurgeon) to "lie down" for nine months and get back to him. I sought help elswhere!  Good Luck....