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Question: i have had 2 back surgeries. One in January 2005 for rupture at l4-l5 due to terrible pain and numbness and problems dragging my left leg. I started having symptoms again in early 2006 and was again dragging the leg, having numbness, and then started losing bladder control. I had a micordisectomy at l4-l5 again. Now it is one year later and all the symptoms have returned except loss of bladder control. I was examined by my PCP and he said i have alot of weakness to the left leg, i am unable to feel much on that side, i have alot of pain in the left hip down the leg and my feet and toes draw and my leg moves involuntarily. My PCP also said i have hyperreflexia in the left leg. All previous MRI's have showed problems at 13-14, l4-l5, and l5-s1. However the bulge at l3-l4 was only on the left side. i recently had an MRI and it showed that l4-l5 looked pretty good after surgery outside of scar tissue, but l3-l4 had significantlly changed on the left side with nerve compression and was also now bulging on the right side. Also there is a bulge at l5-s1 and degenerative disc disease. My question is, after two microdisectomies, my back is still not in good shape and it seems as though the symptoms are not subsiding. Also, the numbness and pain are frustrating and affecting my life in so many ways. Would i be a candidate for a spinal fusion and if so, how successful is this surgery? I need to do something. This is causing me not to feel good and not to rest good at night due to being so uncomfortable. Thank you for your time and respones. It is greatly appreciated. Answer: It would seem to us that you need to have a discussion with your neurosurgeon first, before any further tests are done. |
