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Fusion in 2000, pain back in 2008

When I was 36, I was told that I had DDD, Lumbar stenosis, & disc space narrowing, protrusion on S1 nerve root. I had my back fused in 2000 when I was 38 on the L5-S1. It relieved a lot of pain & only had issues a few times a year. Back in 08 starting having issues, went on prednisone, pain killers ect. This yr prednisone did not work like it did in past. I have spasms almost every morning, deep in lower back does not feel like muscle. Have also had what I call lock pain upon waking up, a pain so great that I cant move or it gets more intense. I take this to be the spasms but just greater(?)Since 08  have no reflexes in right knee, little in left. Pain from lower back to hip down right leg behind knee cap. numbness to toes on right.few times have had while walking, like knife being turned in back & I went to floor.
L1-L2 there is minimal diffuse disc bulge w/out significant central canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
L2-L3 no disc space abnormality is identified
L3-L4 there is no disc bulge or herniation. Minimal facet joint degeneration changes are noted. There is minimal bilateral neural foraminal narrowing w/out evidence for neural impingement.
L4-L5 there is minimal diffuse disc bulge. Enhancing epidural scar tissue is seen within the lateral recesses. There is moderate to severe bilateral facet joint hypertrophy with mass effect on the lateral aspect of the thecal sac. There is mild to moderate right neural foraminal narrowing at this level.
L5-S1 laminectomy defects are identified. enhancing epidural scar tissue is seen within the lateral recess. there is no evidence for a disc bulge or herniation. There is mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing; evaluation is limited due to artifact from fusion hardware.
Conus medullaris terminates at L1 level and is normal in morphology. Following intravenous contrast administration, there is no abnormal enhancement. The cauda equina nerve roots have a normal appearance.

thank you so much for any advice
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, ct report was started.
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, possible, and if an EMG/NCV shows compression then physiotherapy, traction etc will have to be tried. It's great you will be seeing an ortho specialist. Hope your problems resolve soon! TC!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your advice. My family doctor had said it was the narrowing & the the degenerative causing the spasms  but have set appt with a ortho doctor for later in the month. I will bring up the things you have mentioned. I was talking with someone that I work with and their wife had her back fused and was also getting those spasms, so I took that to be the cause. Thank you again.
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!

I am sorry to hear about the pains and spasms you are going through. After reading the MRI report, there does not appear to be any new problem that could be causing the symptoms. There are degenerative changes which may have cropped up since the last MRI and could be contributing to the symptoms to some extent. An EMG/NCV may need to be done to find out if there is a nerve compression or not. Traction, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, exercise etc may help reduce the spasms and pain.

Sometimes a reduction in vitamin B or D causes jolting pains and spasms and an already affected nerve is the first to show symptoms. Similarly, possibility of an autoimmune disorder, thyroid disorder or diabetes too should be looked into.

Please consult your spine specialist with this MRI report. As stated earlier, you may need an EMG/NCV followed by physiotherapy, traction, massage therapy etc.

Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
Helpful - 0

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