L5 injury

Hi everyone,

I had gunshot in Dec. 2009. After the gunshot:
1. I could not move my right leg. Thereafter, I found out that I had sensation on my right thigh but there was no sensation on right leg and feet.
2. I am not able to control urine - have to use a catheter
3. Not able to control stool.
4. I can move my left leg but have difficulties doing so.

I was at the hospital for two weeks during which I was asked to do an MRI. The MRI showed injury to the L5.

For nerve recovery I was put on Neurobine Forte. My understanding is that this medicine is supposed to reduce nerve pain and assist in the healing.

During the first two moths there were lots of activities on my right leg, most of which are difficult to describe (spasms and convulsions. sometimes feeling like cold water being injected through right leg). I also felt some mild pains.

I contacted two different neurosurgeons both which recommended physiotherapy as a way to recover. So, I started on PT.

So far physiotherapy has strengthened my body in general but my right leg is still paralyzed. As a way of making me a bit more independent I was put on walking frame after the first physiotherapy session. This has helped a great deal.

After two months the nature of activity and pains on my right leg changed. The activities were slowing down in intensity & frequency while the pains became a bit more severe.

Now I am having intermittent severe pains on my right leg. Some days the pains are very severe, other days they're mild and some days I go without any pains. The activities have continued to change as well.

The pains don't respond to pain killers.

My questions:
1. Without an option for surgery, how long will it take for the damaged nerve to recover?
2. Is there something else I need to do to expedite the recovery?


Thanks in advance.

Mugoma.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. In disc injury conditions symptoms may originate due to nerve root pressure, pressure on the spinal cord and pressure on the tail bone. Common symptoms could be paralysis of muscles, pain radiating to the arms or legs, leg pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness. Warning symptoms can include loss of control of the bladder function, numbness/pain at genital areas, paralysis & spasticity of both the legs. The pain originates due to disc disease is usually treated with heat compression, rest, rehabilitative exercises and pain killer medications. In addition, surgical treatment like discectomy, spinal fusion, and spinal laminectomy may be the last resort in most of the non-resolving cases. . I would recommend you to see a neurologist who can evaluate the details of your case and could better determine the insight of your situation. Hope this helps.