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  • Brucie
    Participant
    Post count: 3

    Hi Dr Corenman,
    I’m a 40 year old man who had left L45 decompression op in November 2016…..mri 6 weeks later showed reprolapse onto L5 nerve root. After another cortisone injection that helped temporarily, I have just had a revision discectomy of L45. It’s day 10 post surgery and I was sore and doing not too bad till a gradual onset of a very heavy ‘ache’ and numbness in my left buttock and lateral thigh. Never any back pain though. Also in my left anterior shin and dorsum of left foot. I’m walking slowly ok but these new symptoms in the last 3 days have made me think it’s reprolapse…which is so frustrating and I feel at my wits end.

    Could I ask what the classic symptoms of a reprolapse would be? I know a return of old symptoms is most obvious but any other info would help. Also I know day 10 is early days but I assume my leg should be close to pain free by now?

    Sorry for all the questions it’s been such a long and painful road in the last 6 months I can’t even remember what pain used to feel like!

    Many thanks in advance for your time
    Bruce

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    A recurrent disc herniation (HNP) is one possibility. A seroma (a fluid collection) is another. Finally, a swollen (irritated) nerve root is the final possibility. A question is can you heel walk (a duck walk-walking on your heels with your toes in the air) especially on you left foot. If you can’t or a “hamstring stretch” causes pain down your leg, you might have a recurrent HNP. A new MRI with gadolinium might be warranted.

    If this is the third herniation, you will probably need to have a fusion as the nerve cannot be battered a forth time and reasonably have a chance to recover.

    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.
    Brucie
    Participant
    Post count: 3

    Thank you. Your speedy response and knowledge is really helpful. I can do b=
    oth of those activities at the moment so I guess I will have to monitor it.=
    Would I be right in saying numbness or parethesesia in the L5 dermotome bu=
    t NO sharp pain and full movement is better than say sharper symptoms?
    Thanks again

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    You are correct. You might consider asking your surgeon for an oral steroid to reduce the inflammation.

    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.
    Brucie
    Participant
    Post count: 3

    Thank you. Your help is very much appreciated! I’m trying to take minimal med at the moment but might have to go on it more regularly now. Thanks

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