What Does Severe Pain In The Buttocks And Legs Indicate After Undergoing A Spinal Fusion?

Posted on Fri, 28 Sep 2018

Question: Good morning Doc. I had a spinal fusion (bone graph) at L4 thru the sacrum in May 1993 due to a Fx facet bone. I've had LBP forever, it seems. In XXXXXXX 2017 I started experiencing shooting pain thru my right buttock and down my leg. Then it started bilaterally. I'm treating with the VA (PT & Estim) and it's progressively gotten worse to the point of debilitating at times. Now walking with a cane. The MRI's confirms bilateral sciatic nerve root impingement and the usual degenerative issues. Since the fusion prevents a laser surgery and would be a major surgery I'm not willing to experience at 63, are there other options? Better exercises? The inactivity has caused a 30-40 pound weight gain, which does not help, but I can barely walk now in order to exercise. Quality of life is near zero with pain and frustration. Any options or suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Surgery is the best option.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

At your age with bilateral sciatic impingement and degenerative arthritis.

It is best to go for a major surgery to relieve the compression. Since you are inactive, proper physiotherapy is not possible and your quality of life has deteriorated due to this.

With increasing age, these degenerative changes will progress further and make the compression worse.

Surgery will definitely improve your mobility and decrease the pain. Local steroid shots can help to some extent temporarily.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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