OfflineAbout me:
I was injured in car accident in early July 2008 and since then I have experienced neck and back pain and also sciatica type to my right leg along with numbness, tingling, pins/needles and pain to both feet. The neck and back pain is improved after PT but the problems in my feet and right leg persist. I have had MRI of lumbar back which was OK and thoracic MRI showed a few bone spurs but ortho MD didn't feel this was causing my problems. The next step is lower extremity EMG and cervical MRI in two weeks if no improvement in symptoms. I have previous disc herniation at C5-C6 September 2007 which has progressed well with lots of PT. The only medicine I am taking is Daypro and occasionally Flexeril. I have been unable to work since July and I would love to just feel normal again ), I am 36 years old.
I have read a lot about Piriformis syndrome and also SI joint syndrome but there was little mention of having both extremitites affected. The numbness and tingling is definitely worse with sitting - like now and upon standing for as little as 5- 10 minutes I have pain in my feet. I get the best relief of symptoms laying flat.
I would be very appreciative of any one's thoughts on this! 
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many things that can cause the type of pain that you speak of. Unfortunately like many of us you may have to go through several diagnostic steps to actually get a diagnosis. Take a look at the tabs at the top of this page like conditions and treatment. There is a lot of useful information there. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic Microdiscectomy,Laser Surgery
Methadone, Percocet, Soma, Welbutrin
Sorry to hear about your problems. Have you been checked for spondylolisthesis (sp?)?
Mine was discovered from flexion/extension xrays- your symptoms sound familiar to me.
Again Welcome,
Julie
MRI 12/07 L4-5 Herniated w/Nerve Impingment. L5/S1 Posterior Central Protrusions- indents @Thecal Sac. L4/S1 Moderate Facet Anthropy. 6/08 MRI and Flexion Extension Xrays- revealed grade 3 Retrolisthesis L5/S1, Spondy L4
Constant LBP and Bilateral Radiculopathy going on 17 months. PT, MT, Chiro, Traction, Selective Nerve Root Injections........ You name it I probably did it.
*****L4-S1 PLIF 7/28/08******* Feeling great so far!
In my discovery of information I found out I have T11/T12/L1/L2/L3 bulges with anterior osteophytes and anterior limbus on L1 vertebral body- these are not causing pain at this time.
painintheback - Thanks I will do that.
JulieA- can they see this on an MRI or just the X-rays?
My spondy was not diagnosed until I had a series of plain ole x-rays. It is surprising what details are found using different tests. Let them run all the tests they have to to find out where the problem is, it may take several. I had many of the symptoms you mention due to nerve root compression. I feel for ya.
Kelly Jo age 37 from Eastern NC
Years of back issues. Spondylolisthesis grade 1-2 w/ bilateral pars defect at L4/L5. Next door issues had started at L5/S1. peripheral neuropathy/radiopathy/Sciatica
NS performed a Discectomy/Laminectomy at both levels and fused L4/L5 with my removed bone. Installed Dynesys at both L/4-L5 and L5/S1 on 07/10/08.
Meds down to 7.5-15mg Percocet every 6 hours (which I usually only take in the evening usually) Flexeril 10mg PRN up to 3x/day.
Watching bulging disk at C6-7 mildly symptomatic but, no plans to repair at this time, my choice. Latest X-rays indicate spondylosis at multi-levels above fusion.
"I think I can, I think I can... I KNOW I can......
Matthew 19:26 "With God ALL things are possible"
It's reassuring to hear from others who have been there - sometimes I wonder if I am going crazy since they can't find anything wrong. How are you doing after surgery?
All in all very well. I barely remember the first 2 weeks but the pain was manageable. By week 3 I was up and around walking more and started having terrible pains in the leg I thought was doing better. I didn't panic because the is a consensus that week 3 seems a bit rougher and by week 4 things calmed right back down. I am doing fine. I hit the 6 week mark tomorrow and I am up more and more doing light quick things around the house. I have caught myself twice bending down.. a big no no but it didn't hurt. I have noticed tightness in my left leg, the problem one and only do light flex and extend stretches to help loosen it up. It seems to help. I am barely taking any pain meds at all. I used to live on 800 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day before surgery... not any more. The creepy crawly buzzing burning hot burning cold water dripping is all but gone. I'd say I have had an 85% improvement in that dept and I couldn't be happier. As it stands so far I am glad I had my surgery.
I hope you can get some relief soon!
Kelly Jo age 37 from Eastern NC
Years of back issues. Spondylolisthesis grade 1-2 w/ bilateral pars defect at L4/L5. Next door issues had started at L5/S1. peripheral neuropathy/radiopathy/Sciatica
NS performed a Discectomy/Laminectomy at both levels and fused L4/L5 with my removed bone. Installed Dynesys at both L/4-L5 and L5/S1 on 07/10/08.
Meds down to 7.5-15mg Percocet every 6 hours (which I usually only take in the evening usually) Flexeril 10mg PRN up to 3x/day.
Watching bulging disk at C6-7 mildly symptomatic but, no plans to repair at this time, my choice. Latest X-rays indicate spondylosis at multi-levels above fusion.
"I think I can, I think I can... I KNOW I can......
Matthew 19:26 "With God ALL things are possible"
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Cervical myelopathy, 15 surgeries to date, Severe OA, bilateral knee replacements, DDD, 13 MRI’s, 4 sets of spinal cortisone procedures and dozens of cortisone shots in other areas for OA. Upcoming scheduled surgeries include laminectomy and removal of synovial cyst located at left facet joint of L4-L5 (may require fusion); Right resection of A-C joint (left was done 12 years ago, by far the most painful of all my surgeries)