Whats Next?

[shavaun]

Had a spinal fusion S1-L5 region metal device..1999 Everthing was going fine until 14 of April 2002 now having serious problems.  Leg pain... hip pain, lower back pain, my right leg is going into serious spasms( or charlie horse) in the calf area and  the back of my thigh. Very Pain full.. No reflex in ankle region....Cat scan reveals L4/5 There is a circumferential annulus bulge with the impression of a small focal central disc bulge in addition just touching the ventral thecal sac.A minor degree of comprise is seen but the overall dimensions of the spinal canal are not grossly diminished.
Going for MRI this week..Tthe metal device they can  see S1-L5 area...I am one tough lady the fusion saved me... besides all that...Is surgery needed to get the pressure of the nerve?
It almost feels like that screw is touching something also.
Can the metal device be removed?
Thanks for any comments I am just looking for comments..
Regards
Shavaun

[Star Lite]

Hey Guys, Im 16 years old and have been experiencing lower back pain for quite a while now.. I have just found out through an MRI which was given to me because the pain has went to my right leg that i have a minor disc bulge.. Lately the pain has been horrible and im not exactly sure what is going to happen.. This is very rare for my age and its not worrying me very much.
So if anyone reading this has any information or can help me please email me at ***@****

Thanks. :-)

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

You have a couple of potential causes for your pain which could be acting in combination to produce your symptoms.
1.The disc at L4-5 may be pressing on a nerve root coming from the spinal cord. The MRI will help evaluate that in more detail than the CT.
2.It is possible that the metal screw from the prior surgery is also pushing on a nerve root. We have seen this in a number of cases and many of these patients did much better after surgical correction. Depending on what kind of hardware your surgeons put, for the most part they can be adjusted if not removed. Best of luck