leg pain from L5/S1

I have had 4 previous back surgeries.  L4/L5 discectomy in 1998, laminectomy 2 days later.  Mechanical fusion with bone graft of L4/L5 in 2005.  L5/S1 discectomy in August this year.  I had relief for 3 weeks and now symptoms have returned.  With sciatic pain in hip, thigh and calf I also have lost the feeling in the outside of my foot and partially up my leg and have no ankle reflex.  My calf muscle is shrinking, 2" smaller then other leg.  I have had a feeling of a pulled muscle in my calf for weeks.  Is this back related?  Or just me compensating for the lack of feeling?  I am getting another MRI next week and seeing the surgeon the following week.  I am not looking forward to the possibility of my 5th surgery.

[msfergy]

MRI dont get it try Mylogram and Discogram my MRIs did not show the problem.

[jotabravo]

I am kind of in the same boat.  I'm 35, had a L5/S1 fusion done last year.  Let it go a bit too long before opting to surgery.  I have what I think will be permanent numbness on the outside of my foot and patches going up my leg.  the surgery area is problematic although not as bad as presurgery.  The middle of my back has been bugging me a lot lately.  I think that the fusion has changed the mechanics of my spine and is causing a lot of stress there.  

Scary to think what it will be like in 10 years.  I have 4 kids to provide for, just hope I can get that much work out of this old body.