Nerve Damage?

[dianthusgirl]

In May of 07  I had a herniated disc in my lower back that pressed against my sciatic nerve, causing severe pain in my lower back, gluts, and down my right leg.  In a matter of 1 week I was unable to walk.  I had an emegency micro discectomy and had immediate releif from pain.  However, my right leg was a little gimpy for the 8 weeks following surgery.  Ever since, my hamstrings in my right leg have been very tight, which I stretch, but probably not enough.  Two days ago, I was walking my dog, and 10 minutes into the walk I felt slight discomfort in my right glut, then my foot started kind of flopping on the pavement.  Then my leg started feeling like it was loosing control.  I thought maybe because the road was beveled and tried the other side of the road and it did not help.  I walked to a nearby park and as soon as I  stepped off the road and onto the ground, I felt instant relief.  I sat down for about a minute, and got up and walked back home on the road with no pain.  This also happened about 6 weeks ago.  What could be causing the strange feeling in my right leg?  I wear good shoes and am very active.
Thank you for your time.

[Lama Chahine, MD]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Your symptoms are unusual, but given that they resolved after a brief period, an ongoing neurologic problem is unlikely. Possibilities include another herniated disc causing nerve compression (radiculopathy). Another possibility is that your symptoms are muscular, particularly if they only occur with exertion and are relieved after brief rest. However, another cause of symptoms in the legs that are relieved with rest or bending forward is spinal stenosis, narrowing of the lumbar spine (or sometimes the spine at higher levels). This would best be evaluated with an MRI of the spine.

Evaluation by your spine surgeon is warranted if you have back pain associated with your symptoms; evaluation by your primary doctor for history and examination may allow him/her to better elucidate whether your symptoms are musculoskeletal or neurologic, with possible spine imaging (with MRI) may further guide the work-up.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.