Nerve Damage After C-Section

[Kristy-__0]

  In April of 1997 I had a spinal (not epidural) for a C-section.
  A nurse did the spinal and to make a long story short, the spinal
  was administered over 6 times before it was put in the right
  spot.  During one of the injections, I felt her jab it into my
  back and my right leg had lightening pain and then numbness.  It
  has been like that ever since.  The numbness and tingeling
  started out knee down.  My first EMG came back nerve damage,
  but all proceeding ones have come back negative along with the MRIs.
  One neurologist told me that he could do nothing for me and told
  me to stop seeing him..so I did.  I went to another neurologist
  who was very good, but told me that only medicine would help aid
  with the problem.  So, I sought out another opinion. He feels that
  physical therapy will help as I have minimal movement in my foot
  and no movement in my big toe.  The first 2 doctors confirmed that
  the spinal was to blame, while the third one says that he believes it
  is a nerve in my knee and was due to positioning - this opinion I
  don't agree with since I FELT the exact moment it happened.
  All 3 agree that it is a sensory problem and I will probably never
  fully recover.  The doctor gave me some exercises to do
  including toe/flex,calf exercises, etc to try and build up my
  muscles and help me move my toes.  Since I started doing those,
  I have had the worst pain that I have ever had!  
  I get charlie horse cramps in the right part of my leg going
  down to my toe.  I cannot drive because I get
  kinks in the top of my foot.  And I wake up at night with lightening
  strike pain on the bottom of my foot and the top of the toes.
  I am now getting numbness on my knee and the lower part of
  my thigh and this is starting to really scare me.  
  My doctor says I have been over doing it and to slow down.  
  But I don't believe I have been over-doing it
  and I am afraid whatever my condition is..that it is getting worse.
  Is there any advise that you might be able to give me?
  I have been on Pamelor (I was too weak on Neurontin) for a couple
  months now.
  Thank you in advance and a Happy New Year!  
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Dear K:
Both possibilities you mention are plausible ones.
It is unclear from your question if your current problem is just pain and sensory loss, or if it also includes some weakness of your right foot and toes. If you have any persistent weakness, a properly done EMG examination should very clearly be able to tell if the nerve damage (if there is any) is in the spine or near the knee, or elsewhere.
Overall, it is relatively unlikely that you have a problem that can be surgically corrected. Treatment in such situations often involves the use of medications for pain control, and physical therapy to improve function. Nevertheless, a definite diagnosis with the help of a comprehensive EMG test would help decide this with certainty.
In case you wish to seek another opinion from peripheral nerve experts at the Cleveland Clinic, ypou could call [phone], or [phone] for an appointment.
Good luck!