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  • ward
    Participant
    Post count: 6

    Had microdiscectomy 20 months ago due to a large L5-S1 disc herniation. After operation calf strength didn’t totally come back. I worked on getting the strength back by single leg calf raises and exercises with the thermaband. For the first 4 months, I couldn’t do the single leg calf raise, so I would raise up using both legs, and then lower on the weak one. Eventually I worked up to about 10 single leg calf raises, and seemed to plateau there. Was sciatica free until about 5 weeks ago when I lifted a couch and started to have moderate sciatica. Had epidural steroid shot 1 week ago, which eliminated the sciatica. But now, it seems like my calf is weaker. I can’t do any single leg calf raises.
    I CAN still walk on my toes.

    My most recent MRI was 6 months ago, which showed a bulging disk at L5-S1.

    Is it possible the trauma from the recent injury damaged the nerve? Or maybe the nerve is still compressed and I don’t feel the sciatica because of the steroid shot?

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    My first thought is a recurrent disc herniation. You have a force on the spine (lifting a couch), new increased symptoms and increasing motor weakness. These all add up to a potential new herniation. You simply could have stretched the root but with increased weakness, the first thing I would do is get a new MRI.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    ward
    Participant
    Post count: 6

    Dr Corenman,

    Thanks for your response. I have an MRI scheduled for next Friday.

    At his point I don’t have any sciatica.

    Have you seen cases where the disc has herniated, putting pressure on the nerve to cause weakness, but there isn’t sciatica? I would have thought if the disc is compressing the nerve enough to cause weakness it would cause sciatica. Maybe my epidural steriod shot (11 days ago) is masking the pain?

    Thanks in advance

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Now you can understand why an epidural injection in the face of motor weakness is an error of treatment in my opinion. The epidural will reduce the pain and paresthesias (pins and needles) substantially but does nothing to reduce the pressure on the nerve root causing the weakness. The epidural therefore makes you feel better and gives you a false sense of security.

    In my opinion, in the face of motor weakness, surgery is required to decompress the nerve and give it the best chance of motor strength recovery.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    nancy frye
    Participant
    Post count: 1

    If your back is hurting, you may think the best way to get relief is to limit exercise and to rest. A day or two of rest may help, but more than that may not help the pain. Watch your weight- Extra pounds, especially in your midsection, can make back pain worse by shifting your center of gravity and putting strain on your lower back. Staying within 10 pounds of your ideal weight may help control Back Pain[/url]. If you smoke, stop smoking, restricts the flow of nutrient-containing blood to spinal discs.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Good Advice

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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