back pain

[shani1973]

In 1999. i was diagnosed with 2 prolapsed discs, L4 and L5, which causes sciatica. I had facet joint injections which did nothing. I saw a sports therapist which helped control the pain for a while, but now i am "back to square one"
I am back to living on painkillers, broken sleep and constant pain.
I have recently visited my consultant, who suggested a lumbar discectomy, however, he decided, as a precaution, to do nerve root blocks to L4/5 and L5/S1. Never heard of S1 before!
I've had nrb in L5/S1 and this did nothing!
Is it worth having nrb into L4/5?
I have been told that the lumbar discectomy will only/possibly take pain out of legs as there is nothing than can do for back pain! Is this true? will a lumbar spinal fusion not remove pain from back aswel?
Thanx

[shani1973]

Sorry!
Saw my consultant today, he had only done NRB to L5, as this did nothing he will do an NRB to S1 in two weeks!
Thanx x

[shani1973]

Thanx for reply.
This is actually the second consultant that i have been under and this one is a spinal specialist. He has said, basically, the same as the last Doctor. that the two MRI's that i have had both show the same thing, which is the disc's "squashing" the nerves, so how can it be soft tissue damage? I don't understand?
In the past, i had physiotherapy and traction for months and this did nothing, surely if it was tissue damage, those treatments would have resolved the issue?
Very grateful for your reply x

[Zak_Han]

Hi,
My personal opinion is that your "sciatica" was due to soft tissue injuries (ligment/tendon etc).maybe  NOT from prolapsed discs.As two causes can lead to exactely same symptomes. and fail to NRB also tell that nerves itself are not main reason.
So,you should go to another reputable doc for second opinion.
Good luck!