Back/leg/ pain

[LindaC.]

I had surgery to have a disk removed in my back in May 1999.  I was told by ortho surgeon that he had severed a nerve during surgery.  I've been in constant pain since the surgery (my left leg/foot mostly).  I have spasms in my thigh and calf and if I walk for more than 30 or 40 minutes I have pain in my ankle as well. The toes on my right foot are still numb but I was told that they would probably stay that way because I waited too long with the disk pressing on the nerve.  I'm now having pain that extends from the base of my skull down the right shoulder to my arm and hand.  The arm is weak and very painful when trying to use it to do anything.  I'm also quite tired most of the time.  I've been to a neurologist who did the muscle biopsy and said that everyting there was fine and he's referred me to a doctor that specializes in chronic pain.  My question is, what exactly does this type of doctor do?  I was also asked during a routine examination by my gynecologist, who's treating you for your thyroid?"  She said it's definitely enlarged and asked if anyone else in the family had thyroid trouble.  My mother, grandmother, aunt and sister had to have thyroid surgery.  Could this be the reason for some of my symptons?  I'd appreciate any info you could give.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Linda:

Sorry to hear about your problems.  The general answer to your question is yes, thyroid can effect bone density, nerve paresthesias, body metabolism, etc.  An enlarged thyroid is something that your general care physician should take a look into.  Only the neurosurgeon can accurately tell you about your lower extremity pain as he/she knows which nerves were affected.  Without knowing what the presurgical exam was like, the MRI of the lower spine, etc. I really can't do justice to tell you what is going on.  It may be that you have another disc problem higher up in the spinal column, but a simple MRI of the cervical spine would rule this in or out as a contributor of the upper body pain.  

A pain specialist, help find the correct medication to relieve as much pain as possible.  They also help in finding the correct other modalities that an individual patient needs to combat pain.  This may entail biofeedback, relaxation techniques, etc.  I would also recommend a rehab specialist to help with specific exercises to strengthened areas of the body to help with relieveing abnormal muscle stress due to the injury.

I hope you can find relief for your problem.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD