Posted on: Tue, 08/19/2008 - 10:04
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Numbness but no pain, should I have surgery?
I have a unique situation in that I do not have any back pain whatsoever but both feet go numb after 10 minutes of walking or standing. I am 56 years old and up to a year ago played racquetball 6 days a week and backpacked the mountains of Montana yearly. My MRI indicated stenosis in L3,L4,L5, and S1 with L4 and L5 being severe. My surgeon wants to perform a laminectomy on each verterbra so my question to the group is this necessary or can the offending nerve be identified by some manner? I just hate to have so much bone removed unless it is necessary. Thanks in advance. Bob
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Hi Bob,
I am not sure about stenosis and whether it would cause a detrimental effect long term but own surgeon says "numbness = no pain...whats the problem?"
I guess you may just get worse??? and from my own experinece, the fitter you are going into surgery, the better your odds. What I am trying to say is, perhaps if you leave it, you may find it a harder struggle post surgery later on?
thats just my thoughts. Good Luck
Spondy, DDD, Spondylolsis - Dynesys and S1 PLIF 2007, revision PLIF BMP L4/5 Feb 2008 and revision PLIF September 2008
Pain is compulsory, suffering is optional, smiling is a must!!
Hi and welcome to Spine-Health. Below is a link to some pointers our moderator Ron put together to help new members with the forum.
Bob, if I were you I would get a second opinion. We are hot doctors and really cant' suggest you not do what your surgeon has recommended. I had a 3 level cervical laminectomy and although it is quite a bit of bone being removed it is less critical than a fusion. There are also different degrees of laminectomy. Is the surgeon planning on doing a full laminectomy or a partial laminectomy? How many vertebrae are involved. Personally, I am more fearful of numbness than pain.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact (PM) any one of the Moderators here Priestess , Bruce , Paulgla , DiLauro
Again welcome.......Paul
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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)
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
HI Bob,
I'm with all the other comments...get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. I have moderate lumbar stenosis that causes me a lot of pain. I also have severe cervical stenosis that doesn't cause me much pain but is far more serious than the lumbar because it is causing the numbness and also some loss of function. From my understanding the longer the nerves & spinal canal are impinged, the more chance that the damage may be permanent. I'm looking at surgery but am insisting on nerve conduction tests to see if I can wait. I will also get a 2nd opinion. Problem is that the surgery is effective about 60% of the time and doesn't cure you. Meaning that if the dengenerative process continues surgery may be required again 5 or more years down the line. Get another opinion and look at all options!
Lauren
DDD, Moderate to severe stenosis C3-C6, Mild to moderate stenosis L1-L5, buldging discs, pain around all major joints, numbness in extremities and face, 50% loss of function in left leg, some in left arm and right extremities. Plantar fascitis, carpel tunnel, tennis elbow and bursitis.
Meds include Norflex, Mobic & Celexa.
I'm released from PT aftercare and am swimming 3/4 of a mile 2x a week. Next week to replace the PT I start a pilates class!
Personally I would rather have pain. I know that sounds funny but with pain you know what is going on, with numbness you dont.
I was like you BOB, previously I had had pain but that did go and I was left with this numbness. After 5-10 minutes of standing or walking I would have to sit down or I would start to stumble as I couldn't feel the ground properly.
I once decided to shave my legs and sliced right up my leg without realising it till I saw all the blood.
I had previously had a laminectomy & discectomy at L4-5 but6 yrs later the MRI showed like you stenosis, ddd and other things at L3-L4-L5-S1.
I was left with no alternative but to have a multi level fusion. We tried other things first such as injection but nothing made a difference. I did however give myself time to get as fit as possible before surgery, so I booked it for a few months ahead.
So like the others have said get at least 1 other opinion and ask the Dr if there are any other tests that can determine which disc is effected.
Since my surgery in May, I have had almost no numbness, only very occassionally if I have sat for too long (hr +) or in a bad chair.
Blessings Sara
Aussie girl from Sydney
Work related injury 2001, Bulging discs L2-S1 had Laminectomy/discectomy L4-5 2001. Semi-success.
Since developed DDD, Stenosis, scoliosis & more. Had PT, Hydrotherapy, Deep tissue massage, facet block injections (no change) light gym work.
PLIF L3-S1 with BMP, & decompression, hardware, & correction to scoliosis May 7th 2008. 10 days hospital 2 weeks in rehabilitation hospital.
Started PT day 1, aquatherapy (heaven)day 14.
Finished PT and aquatherapy and waitng to start at gym.
Doing really well with only the occassional hiccup. Still on Oxycontin 5mg x 1, Endone 5mg X 2, Valium 5mg x 1, Lyrica 75mg.
Our minds are more powerful then our bodies so watch your thoughts and be careful what you wish for.