Unfortunately “almost 4 months post op and all the symptoms I had pre-op are exactly the same if not worse”..”serve pain in my right buttocks when sitting”..”pain in my right foot (walking)”.
“Do I consider it as FBSS” (failed back surgery syndrome). No, not at this point but there is worry of nerve damage (https://neckandback.com/conditions/chronic-radiculopathy/). The better news is that there is mechanical component to your pain (pain that occurs when your are in different positions). This does not fully rule out chronic radiculopathy but can indicate there are still mechanical compressive possibilities which can possibly be addressed surgically.
At this point based upon your symptoms, you should consider a new MRI with gadolinium (IV dye) and X-rays with flexion/extension views to look for compressive pathology, instability and the rare possibility of a small fracture.
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.
