SEVERE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

[Natalie__0__0]

  I had a laminectomy at L5-S1 on my right side on 6/1/98.  After my surgery, my sciatica was gone and I was no longer in pain.  I was walking three miles a day and was very active.
  Four weeks ago, the sciatica came back with severe back pain, tightness in the butt, numbness in my leg, tingling, stabbing and pintching in my nerve.  I cannot put pressure on my right leg without having severe pain.  I went back for another MRI and they found the following:
  There is desiccation of disc material at L4-5, 5-1 with mild posterior bulding at L4-5 unchaged fromt he prior exam.  There is prominent soft tissue on the right side at the level of L5-S1 due to my laminectory.  This tissue enchances diffusely with no evidence for recurrent disc.
  My doctor is on vacation for the next two weeks.  I would like to know what this report means.  I am in constient pain and the pain medication is not working.
  Please respond.  I need to know what is going on and what is happening.
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Dear Natalie,
Diffuse enhancement in a region that recently underwent surgery is the hallmark of scar formation.  In your case it may be pinching on the nerve as it exits the foramen.  The report does not note any significant disc herniation that would cause such pain.  
The best way to treat this for now is to go easy on the back for a while.  Take something for pain and perhaps something to relax the muscles.  Give it some time.  
Do let your physician know if the pain does not improve or gets any worse.  He would likely want to evaluate you again as well as review the most recent MRI.
Good luck.