Suggest Treatment For Nerve Damage

Posted on Fri, 15 Aug 2014

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

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 Answered on

Sat, 6 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I sustained nerve damage L5/S1 intra operatively, which has been reviewed and confined by two Orthopods, Pain R) lateral thigh, buttock, radiating up to level L3/4. Seven year duration.
Underwent surgery 12 months ago (pseudo arthrodesis previous anterior fusion L3/4) posterior fixation L3/4. Dural tear sustained intra operatively and patched which then developed into a full blown pseudo meningocoele. Underwent emergency surgery for repair to 1cm dural tear. Now have extensive scarring to dura and surrounding tissue.
I have not had MRI imaging to establish if fusion is solid. Is it possible to detect if a fusion is solid using Xray imaging and will the scarring cause long term problems. My activities have been severely restricted as a result of this surgery and pain unresolved which affects sleeping pattern. The surgeon denied injury to the dura during this surgery.
I have had a disastrous experience of liars and cover ups.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Xray cant help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

A MRI or a CT scan help to identify whether the fusion is solid. Xray can help here.

No, scarring usually does not cause any problems but rarely can complicate into Meningomyelocoele.

Hope, I answered your query.

Please do ask if any doubts.

Regards,

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