Scar Tissue

[CONSTANTINA]

I was born with Spina Bifida; at age 70 I had surgery to release tethered spinal cord.  Since then I have had terrible pain in my left leg and numbness.  The pain consists of stabbing pains, electro-like pains, muscle spasms, etc.
My medical doctor ran out of options as to what was causing it, therefore, I went to a Neurologist who sent me for an MRI.  The results according to him:  Scar Tissue pressing against nerves.  I have had an epidural since then and am to go back for another at a pain management clinic.  To date all the things such as physical therapy, injections, Tens unit, pain medications, pain patches, etc. have not help.

Does anyone have suggestions.  Thanks.

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
You should go in for Epidurolysis.
Epidurolysis (RACZ) Procedure is used to dissolve some of the scar tissue from around entrapped nerves in the Epidural space of spine, so that medications such as cortisone can reach the affected areas. It allows medications to reach affected nerves so that pain and other symptoms may be diminished. The procedure requires a series of three injections. First, a catheter (a small tubing) inserted in the Epidural space up to the area of scarring. This is done in the operating room under sterile conditions using fluoroscopy (x-ray vision). This catheter is secured to the skin with dressings and tapes. The first injection of medications is made via this catheter. The patients are then kept in the hospital overnight.
The second injection is done the following day. On the third day, the catheter is injected and then removed. The actual injections only take a few minutes.

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a common treatment option for many forms of low back pain and leg pain The goal of the injection is pain relief; at times the injection alone is sufficient to provide relief, but commonly an epidural steroid injection is used in combination with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional benefit.
While the effects of the injection tend to be temporary - providing relief from pain for one week up to one year - an epidural can be very beneficial for a patient during an acute episode of back and/or leg pain. Importantly, an injection can provide sufficient pain relief to allow a patient to progress with a rehabilitative stretching and exercise program. If the initial injection is effective for a patient, he may have up to three in a one-year period.
Thus Epidurolysis dissolves some of the scar tissue from around entrapped nerves  and Epidural steroid injections are a common treatment option for many forms of low back pain and leg pain
Refer http://www.reddinganesthesia.com/Epidurolysis.htm,http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica
Best

[CONSTANTINA]

Thanks for the information.  I will certainly discuss with the neurologist.  At this point I will do anything to make the pain go away.