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What are symptoms of a L5 radiculopathy nerve root irritation
I recently posted a wuestion on August 23, but haven't had a response, yet. I had a redo surgery to remove a fragment at the l5/s1 level in march 2009, i still am having same symptoms as prior to surgery and mostly on my left side nerve pain down side of thigh, side of calf, on top of left foot, i am havving problems with ambulation and walking is sometimes untolerable. i drag my foot sideways to walk or depending on the day and pain my foot will do a drop type movement. I have had an mri and ct scan in may 2009 after the surgery, which showed a bone spur located at same spot as the fragment that was removed in march but went unseen at time of surgery and l4/l5 herniation protrusing more to the right, and recently had an emg done, which stated a L5 nerve irritation on the left and more than the S1 and something about radiculopathy. My neurosurgeon believed I need surgery at both levels back in may and now here I am in sept. with too many doctors involved and even with findings workmans comp doctor disagree and believe I would not sucess with another surgery. After I did the emg I started to get tremors in both legs that worried the doctors, but I thought it possibly was an accute exacerbation due to nerve irritation and now I am feeling tingling and pain in my right foot as well. What are the symptoms that relate to a L5 nerve irritation. What are the symptoms of an l4/l5 herniated disc. The workmans comp doctor says my symptoms do not correlate with the findings, but I know what I feel and tests do show something is still going on and I strongly feel that both nerve roots are being affected and thats why my symptoms are the way they are, which is states in the emg that there is some irritation at both levels, so if anyone has any information in this area I would surely appreciate anything, symptoms, difference in symptoms, what I should request from the doctors, what I should ask the doctors, I am confused I have done all these tests with positive results and still know answers on what to so with me. Help please!
It is clear that chronic compression of the L5 nerve can lead to permanent damage of the nerve. These changes are often visible on MRI scan (THE L5 NERVE SIGN) but few radiologists docs know where to look to find the abnormality.
I know you already had your lumbar surgery and decompression so the danger of not walking is over.Unless a new development has occurred. Many times there can be spinal fluid leakage after surgery, which is a serious condition. Also bands of scar tissue can form. So make sure you get your DX.
The bone spurs are not something in the united states that the doctor will put your health at risk for.
He may be able to make a small incision and laser them.
there are some ambulatory places that specialize in Laser surgery for bone spurs, disk herniation etc.
The bone spurs are not something in the united states that the doctor will put your health at risk for.
He may be able to make a small incision and laser them.
there are some ambulatory places that specialize in Laser surgery for bone spurs, disk herniation etc.
From what you describe, a common surgical protocol in the United States is what is called a laminectomy. I would wait before having this procedure performed. There is a new protocol available in Europe for many years, recently approved in the United States, that involves injecting ozone into the interstitial spaces to cause the swelling to subside. To my knowledge, this is, at present only performed in Nevada.
In general "workman's comp doctors" are not your friend. Their mission is to refute your claim. They rate in the same category as ambulance chasing attorneys.
You might want to undergo physical therapy by a professional with knowledge of back injuries. There are exercises which are extremely helpful. They cannot be learned from the Internet.
Cortisone injections are not a good idea, except in the very short run.
You might ask your doctor about a "TENS" device, which blocks pain signals.
In general "workman's comp doctors" are not your friend. Their mission is to refute your claim. They rate in the same category as ambulance chasing attorneys.
You might want to undergo physical therapy by a professional with knowledge of back injuries. There are exercises which are extremely helpful. They cannot be learned from the Internet.
Cortisone injections are not a good idea, except in the very short run.
You might ask your doctor about a "TENS" device, which blocks pain signals.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
The symptoms that you have mentioned are due to the nerve irritation because of the bone spur and herniated disc. When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out, the nerves may become pinched. When the spinal cord or spinal nerves become compressed, they don't work properly. This means that abnormal signals may get passed from the compressed nerves, or signals may not get passed at all. Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:
Electric Shock Pain- pressure on the nerve may cause abnormal sensations, commonly experienced as electric shock pains. When the compression occurs in the cervical (neck) region, the shocks go down your arms and similarly when the compression is in the lumbar (low back) region, the shocks go down your legs.
Tingling & Numbness- patients often have tingling, numbness, or pins and needles sensations. These symptoms may be experienced in the same region as painful electric shock sensations.
Muscle Weakness- because of the nerve irritation, signals from the brain may be interrupted causing muscle weakness.
Bowel or Bladder Problems- these symptoms are important and may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a possible condition resulting from a herniated disc. This is a medical emergency, and a doctor must be consulted immediately if you experience such symptoms.
If the MRI report shows bone spur and **** herniation , the nerves need to be decompressed otherwise it may lead to paralysis of the limbs. Please discuss the possibility of surgery as well as physiotherapy with your neurologist to relieve the symptoms. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
The symptoms that you have mentioned are due to the nerve irritation because of the bone spur and herniated disc. When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out, the nerves may become pinched. When the spinal cord or spinal nerves become compressed, they don't work properly. This means that abnormal signals may get passed from the compressed nerves, or signals may not get passed at all. Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:
Electric Shock Pain- pressure on the nerve may cause abnormal sensations, commonly experienced as electric shock pains. When the compression occurs in the cervical (neck) region, the shocks go down your arms and similarly when the compression is in the lumbar (low back) region, the shocks go down your legs.
Tingling & Numbness- patients often have tingling, numbness, or pins and needles sensations. These symptoms may be experienced in the same region as painful electric shock sensations.
Muscle Weakness- because of the nerve irritation, signals from the brain may be interrupted causing muscle weakness.
Bowel or Bladder Problems- these symptoms are important and may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a possible condition resulting from a herniated disc. This is a medical emergency, and a doctor must be consulted immediately if you experience such symptoms.
If the MRI report shows bone spur and **** herniation , the nerves need to be decompressed otherwise it may lead to paralysis of the limbs. Please discuss the possibility of surgery as well as physiotherapy with your neurologist to relieve the symptoms. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
thank you for your input. I did surgery 4 years ago and now just in march this year, the symptoms resolved the first surgery and I was great for the past 4 years, but after this surgery I continue to have t he same pain shooting down the leg into the foot and problems walking, Thank you for the advise when I see my doctor in a couple of weeks I will ask about the cortisone injections. i am having a ct myelogram next week which I am really hesistant on doing, I didn't have success with epidurals during pregnancies and I have tried two selective nerve root blocks in the past and they left me in the er with severe reactions, so tthis test which is being pushed I am truly scared to do, but if it will help to figure out my situation further then I will agree, but seems too risky. I really appreciate you suggestions and response, thank you
India is correct the symptoms u describe are same as what I have.
herniated disks with pain/numbness/tingling..that radiates from the buttocks to the hip upper thigh and calves, I too was told this was neuropathic pain.
I've had no surgeries, the pdoc wants to try facet radiopathy...in a sense burning the nerves that are inpinged but after alot of reading I decided not to go ahead with it, he told me never consider surgery, its too risky and may leave you paralized and incontinent....
I am having cortisone to my hips for bursitis to see if that will relieve some of the pain.
You can probably get more responses and feedback on the PAIN MANAGEMENT forum, I have found there thats there's many that have similar conditions.
good luck to you
herniated disks with pain/numbness/tingling..that radiates from the buttocks to the hip upper thigh and calves, I too was told this was neuropathic pain.
I've had no surgeries, the pdoc wants to try facet radiopathy...in a sense burning the nerves that are inpinged but after alot of reading I decided not to go ahead with it, he told me never consider surgery, its too risky and may leave you paralized and incontinent....
I am having cortisone to my hips for bursitis to see if that will relieve some of the pain.
You can probably get more responses and feedback on the PAIN MANAGEMENT forum, I have found there thats there's many that have similar conditions.
good luck to you
Oh and L5 symptoms- pain that goes into the hip, buttocks, leg and foot.
It also sounds like you have Neuropathy
It also sounds like you have Neuropathy
If I followed you correctly it means the nerve roots are irritated or damaged
If they are just irritated it could get better in a few years. If the disks have caused damage they won't get better. The doctor won't do a risky surgery to remove bone spurs. Plus the doctor didn't do the surgery to make you better but so you wouldn't get worse. A lot of times when the area around the spinla cord is swollen the cord atrophies and that can't get better
When I read what you wrote at times I thought you had the disc surgery and other times I thought you didn't ???
If they are just irritated it could get better in a few years. If the disks have caused damage they won't get better. The doctor won't do a risky surgery to remove bone spurs. Plus the doctor didn't do the surgery to make you better but so you wouldn't get worse. A lot of times when the area around the spinla cord is swollen the cord atrophies and that can't get better
When I read what you wrote at times I thought you had the disc surgery and other times I thought you didn't ???
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