Common practice to cut nerve?

[boatman93]

I have a L4-5 discetomy which left me completely disabled. It has been very difficult to find the cause of my problem. I recently found out from the op notes that my genital-femoral nerve was cut. There was no notation of its repair at closure.
Is this a normal part of this surgery? My pain is mainly testicle and right thigh/leg. I often cannot lift my leg. I now have a Medtronic recharable stimulator and take many meds which help some. But my daily pain is easily 8-9.

Also, when the doctor saw my disc, it looked normal. She went ahead and removed it. Is that within her discretion? We wish she would have closed or at least talked to my wife.

[Stephen Ryu, MD]

What you are describing is difficult to interpret.

An L4-5 discectomy is generally a very routine and straightforward operation. The genitofemoral nerve is usually not in the area of the surgery so I don't know why it would be cut unless you had some anteroir operation. It can be cut but usually inadvertantely with other surgeries and is not repairable usually.  As for your disc and it appearing normal, again I don't udnerstand the actual reason for surgery either so I cannot comment.

I think you should assemble all your records and go to your health professional for an explanation. Your surgeon may not realize your distress and confusion over the matter and would be best to have them explain all the circumstances.

[Stephen Ryu, MD]

What you are describing is difficult to interpret.

An L4-5 discectomy is generally a very routine and straightforward operation. The genitofemoral nerve is usually not in the area of the surgery so I don't know why it would be cut unless you had some anteroir operation. It can be cut but usually inadvertantely with other surgeries and is not repairable usually.  As for your disc and it appearing normal, again I don't udnerstand the actual reason for surgery either so I cannot comment.

I think you should assemble all your records and go to your health professional for an explanation. Your surgeon may not realize your distress and confusion over the matter and would be best to have them explain all the circumstances.