Pain in right foot post spinal fusion

[celwood]

I have degenerative osteoarthritis.  I am 66 years old.  In 1999 I had a L-3 to S-1 spinal fusion with metal cages inserted.  In 2006 I began to have severe back pain radiating to my left leg.  On June 25, 2008 I had another fusion this time from L-1 to S-1.  Two of the cages that had been placed in 1999 had not fused and were replaced.  I also had titanium plates inserted.  Immediately after surgery I had severe right foot pain that has progressively gotten worse.  I have had several nerve blocks with no relief.  Now they are saying that I should have another surgery to remove the plates because it could be that a screw is touching the nerve going to my right foot.  I do not want to have more surgery.  Does anyone have a suggestion where I can get some relief without having additional surgery?

[celwood]

Yes, I take yrica 350mgm a day. I am presently going to a pain management doctor and will be going for a second opinion from another pain management doctor in July.  They have done a CT scan but nothing can be determined from that other than to say that there looks like something is touching the nerve.  I would need something more concrete than it "looks like" to undergo more surgery.  Last year's surgery had me in the hospital twice after I developed intestinal bleeding and an ileus.  I had to have 4 blood transfusions so you can understand my reluctance to more surgery.

[kittyluv1]

I am sorry to hear of your current situation.  How did they determine your hardware might be at fault for your present symptoms?
Unfortunately, complications such as non-fusion and hardware shifting is a potential risk when fusion surgeries are done.  I can certainly understand your reluctance to have additional surgery.  Every time they open you up the risk of additional problems such as scar tissue increases.
Have you had a pain management consultation?  Have they tried using neuropathic medications such as Lyrica?
I had cervical fusion done almost four months ago and I have had excellent results.
I am hoping that adjacent discs hold up and I will not need any further surgery, but the risk does exist.  I just keep thinking positively and hope for the best.
I wish you the best and hope you can obtain some relief soon ---