Is A Lumbar Fusion Necessary For Back And Thigh Pain?

Posted on Fri, 25 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 Answered on

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am scheduled for lumbar fusion in 1 1/2 months at UC XXXXXXX hospital in CA. I have had two decompressive back surgeries - 1990 & 2002 - for stenosis. The pain now involves both thighs and middle back. I am 76 in otherwise good health. I want my body to be as active as my life. - Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unclear as to what is the question. Diagnosis and management seem correct.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your desire to be active.

That being said I am not sure what is your question? Are you asking whether surgery is really necessary or do you need to know something else?

Judging from your description of back pain spreading in the lower limbs, forcing you to stop within a few hundred feet it would seem that the diagnosis of lumbar canal stenosis is correct and surgery seems to be necessary. Of course if you uploaded imaging reports would be even more confident in my reply, but based on symptoms it seems surgery is the next step.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar