Spine and Back Health

Chronic Back and Neck Pain

01/25/2005

Question:

I had 2 diskectomies on L1-S5. July 99 and it reherniated, surgery again in Nov 99. I have been classified as FBS and have lived with the pain since. I was told the diskectomies were to remove the fragments only. I also sought a second opinion in 99 on to whether to have a spine fusion, the Neurosurgeon said no after looking at my MRI after surgery. I didn`t have the procedure done. Since 1999, I still have sciatic pain in leg buttock and left foot. Hurts to sit, feels like my lower spine will snap. Begins to burn when I stand long and bend. I also continue to have calf spasms. I can not lie on my back. Currently, I have been also having neck pain from the base of my neck to the middle of my back between shoulder blades, shoulder blade pain, rib cage pain, shoulder pain and forearm and finger numbness. All on my left side. I sought out a new Neurologist as I relocated since my surgeries. I have been taking Neurontin and Zanaflex for two weeks and no changes. I sleep better but the pain continue in my neck and back. I just had a full bone scan Jan 18, 2005 which the Neurosurgeon said was normal. Now how is it normal after having 2 surgeries and a Chiropractor said my back was fused in 2002 and also the xraying technician commented on how my back looked like it was fused and I had no disk at L5-S1. I also was told in 2003 I have arthritis in my knee, big toe and fingers and he said there was none in the bone scan. How is it then my L5-S1 fused itself? The Neurologist I seen today, 1/21/05 said everyone else is wrong basically but him...that all is normal. That same neurologist also said I had no reflexology in my my right ankle but yet he said there was no nerve impairment in my right leg after my EMG on 1/21/05 and also no nerve impairment in my left arm. I asked him why my reflexes were gone in my right ankle and all I got was "I dunno". Could he be possibly have gotten the bone scan reading from another patients scan reading? I asked him if there was mistake, he became short and rude. I also told him I could not lay on my back, he said that should be the only way I could lay comfortably. I asked him why then I couldn`t, he said "he don`t know but it tells him something but he doesn`t know yet." I am not exaggerating. Am I seeing someone who is not qualified or uneducated? Or am I just confused... Please help, advise, suggestions...I am so tired of this pain...it is causing me great depression. I have take antidepressants on and off at 6-9 months intervals. I use to be very active and fit, now I am sedentary and 40 pounds overweight. Please give me some directions in the next step I should take. This can not be my life. I am only a 42 year old female.

Answer:

It sounds like you're asking for a specific diagnosis, which is more than I can provide online. Only a detailed history and physical exam by a healthcare professional can provide enough information to make a specific diagnosis. Please discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

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Response by:

Anthony Guanciale, MD
Associate Professor and Director, Division of Spine Surgery
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati