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What Causes Pain In Leg After Pedicle Screw Fixation?
Question: Hi Dr XXXXXXX am a 38 year woman , healthy and work for the nhs - children's nursing team(hcsw) , had a pedicle screw fixation between l1/l5 in May last year. Had spondelothesis (apparently since birth,and didn't know) Am under Mr Saxena who stated my spine was unstable (stenosis) etc and it was bad . I went back to work in early November on a dose of 75 mg lyrica . In January pain began to gradually start all throughout my left leg ( around groin and the knee predominantly ) . I had only pain in my left leg before surgery. I have had a ct and MRI done over 2 months ago . Mr saxena stated he could only see a narrowing of the nerves below one of the rods and the ct couldn't get a full scan due to the rod obscuring the scan . Could you please explain to me if this means the rod is pressing down on my nerves or are there any other reasons . He wants me to see a pain specialist and am wondering if you know what kind of treatments he might offer . I am on 300mg lyrica and 3 to 4 tramadol a day . I had none of this when going back to work in nov last year , feel like I am going backwards in recovery. Thank you XXXX
Brief Answer:
The nerve compression could be due to other tissue
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, scan findings and the details of your surgery.
It is unfortunate that you have not had a good recovery after the surgery.
The nerve compression as seen on the scan is unlikely to be due to the rod. This is because the rod is placed a far distance away from the nerves.
The more likely cause of nerve compression could be the prolapse of inter-vertebral disc (soft tissue between the bones of back) or thickening of posterior longitudinal ligament (which holds the bones together).
I agree that you are on good doses of medications.
The pain specialist may plan for epidural injection at the site of nerve compression.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
The nerve compression could be due to other tissue
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, scan findings and the details of your surgery.
It is unfortunate that you have not had a good recovery after the surgery.
The nerve compression as seen on the scan is unlikely to be due to the rod. This is because the rod is placed a far distance away from the nerves.
The more likely cause of nerve compression could be the prolapse of inter-vertebral disc (soft tissue between the bones of back) or thickening of posterior longitudinal ligament (which holds the bones together).
I agree that you are on good doses of medications.
The pain specialist may plan for epidural injection at the site of nerve compression.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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