Nerve Damage S1/L5

mmglobal · #1 (**permalink**) 11-14-2012, 03:47 PM

The positive straight leg raise (SLR) does not indicate nerve damage, it indicates nerve compression that has a mechanical component that can be fired up with the SLR. If you have muscle atrophy that may be another story, however, it may or MAY NOT be related to the lumbar issue that is demonstrated by the SLR.

The muscle atrophy would up the ante and provide more urgency to identify the problem. Why would they wait on an MRI? Please remember, I'm not a doctor and can be completely wrong.

Mark

housemd89 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-14-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmglobal

The positive straight leg raise (SLR) does not indicate nerve damage, it indicates nerve compression that has a mechanical component that can be fired up with the SLR. If you have muscle atrophy that may be another story, however, it may or MAY NOT be related to the lumbar issue that is demonstrated by the SLR.

The muscle atrophy would up the ante and provide more urgency to identify the problem. Why would they wait on an MRI? Please remember, I'm not a doctor and can be completely wrong.

Mark

Hey thanks for your reply. Well after having a few months of this pain all i've wanted is an MRI or some kind of scan to make sure there is no problem. Because the pain started in my foot i thought it was possibly a stress fracture which then healed wrong and caused all these problems but as you said we're not doctors.

I feel as if the doctors i've been seeing don't really care and just think it's normal back pain, when i showed my GP the bony lump she said "bony lumps are normal". How can they be normal when i didn't have before! I'm seeing my doctor again next week and i'm going to request an MRI and file a complaint if they don't.. i'm sick of being in pain and have had to take time off work now.

grantwb1 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2012, 07:09 PM

Housemd89, "bony lumps are normal", those kind of statements by doctors alarm me sometimes. Doctors are humans to and are subject to the same kind of mistakes we are. If you feel you doctors are not giving you a fair shake then go to another one if you can. Bedside manner isn't everything in a doctor but I want to know that he is engaged in my matter otherwise I am wasting my money and time. I don't try and pick the guy I like the most but the one that seems like they know what to do and are willing to pay diligence to my case! Choose wisely!

housemd89 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-16-2012, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantwb1

Housemd89, "bony lumps are normal", those kind of statements by doctors alarm me sometimes. Doctors are humans to and are subject to the same kind of mistakes we are. If you feel you doctors are not giving you a fair shake then go to another one if you can. Bedside manner isn't everything in a doctor but I want to know that he is engaged in my matter otherwise I am wasting my money and time. I don't try and pick the guy I like the most but the one that seems like they know what to do and are willing to pay diligence to my case! Choose wisely!

Yeah I agree, I've seen 4 docs and only one actually took the time to ask me lots of questions.. the others didn't seem interested. I've to go back next week and if I'm not happy with how they are dealing with me I'm going to file a complaint and go private.

housemd89 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 01:08 AM

Well after trying my exercises for a little while (did as many as i could but sometimes it was too paniful ..also my second and third toe on my left foot curl up sometime and it's agony, they takes ages to un-curl) I went and seen my physio again and she showed me two more exercises.. Just from doing one in her office today my whole left leg feels as tight as ever and has been pretty damn sore.

Is it normal for this much pain with basic physio exercises?

I asked her if she could say to my doctor about a refferal for an MRI and she said "you will only get an MRI if you need surgery" ... eh well how do i know if i need surgery without an MRI! I see my doctor again in a few days so here's hoping he does something or as I've said I will go private, it does cost a bit but you can space it out over a few months.

housemd89 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2012, 10:36 AM

Been told to continue physio for at least a few more weeks. Also been told I have a tilted pelvis and will be put on new pain killers if the pain continues to get worse, they were called neuro somthing can't remember the exact name, anyone had these before and did they help with nerve pain?

Griffen · #7 (**permalink**) 12-26-2012, 11:17 PM

Housemd89,

Two years ago I had exactly the same symptoms.Persistent pain in lower back,buttocks,legs & feet.Also tender swelling in lower back. In my case the pains & pins & needles were due to trapped nerves in the L5 & L4 area. The swelling was due to inflammation. I had an X ray which showed an old gardening injury left untreated for 20 years was now causing problems. I then had an MRI to give a clearer picture.

In my case I have an unstable spine so have just completed a course of physio therapy. Some of the exercises actually made it worse so you do need to be aware that not all exercises will be beneficial. The main thing is to exercise everyday so you keep as flexible as you can. I find walking the easiest & most beneficial followed by stretching. What also helps is getting the correct medication for your condition. In my case something for pain with an anti inflammatory component. The swelling has gone & the pain is mostly controlled. My lifestyle has had to change too as I need to move about a bit every hour or so or I get very stiff.

Hope this helps.

housemd89 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-27-2012, 01:52 PM

blg814 - Sorry to hear that, sounds bad. I'm the same as you with some days being worse than others. I just really want to know what's causing this, my GP has put me on the list to see a senior physiotherapist which could take up to 3 months (even though i asked to be reffered to a neurologist). All I want is an MRI to see exactly what's up but she basically said unless i can't walk or having uncontrolable bowel movements they wouldn't send me for a scan. I've only been on neurotin for a few weeks and not noticed much difference but going to finish the course and see how it goes.I hope you get some relief from the pain.

Griffen - Thanks for that, my physio hasn't gone well at all. I do keep trying to do the basic exercises and try to get out for a walk now and then but it's too much pain. My swelling has been random, sometimes it pops up when i do nothing or when i've been trying to exercise. After new year i think i'm going to pay for a scan privately seen as the NHS has been useless so far. Quite worried incase like you it's been an old injury that's been untreated.

Griffen · #9 (**permalink**) 12-27-2012, 11:43 PM

Once you know what is going on & learn to adapt it is nowhere near so worrying.There are good days & not so good days but you kind of get use to it.

My advice would be to make an appointment to see a private consultant. Then, if an MRI etc is needed, ask if you could have that as an NHS patient. If nothing else you may be seen & get a scan quicker.

If you go down that route write up a kind of "victim impact statement" making a list of all your symptoms,how it is affecting your life,treatments to date & any questions you have. Dress up smartly & take it with you so that you can make sure you don't forget anything.I found you get better results if you are fairly business like about the whole thing. Strange but true.

rabbit · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2012, 01:19 PM

Neurontin ?? Can be used for chronic neurogenic pain.
Neurontin Information from Drugs.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by housemd89

I feel as if the doctors i've been seeing don't really care and just think it's normal back pain, when i showed my GP the bony lump she said "bony lumps are normal". How can they be normal when i didn't have before!

Coming from a physician that does this a lot, bony lumps are "normal", or nothing to be concerned about. I can't think of a single common disease process that would have you develop a "bony lump" that you could feel. Sure, facet joints degenerate, you can develop ligamentous calcifications, but all of these you likely would not be able to feel as a 'lump'. Sure, there are other things like sarcomas, etc. that could lead to dystrophic calcifications, etc. but those are exceedingly rare and you would know by now if you had something serious like that. I know people are always desperate for answers, but I just don't understand why people persist in 'Monday night quarterback-ing' their medical health, and don't trust their physicians when they say something is normal. Anyway, the most likely cause of a bony lump is weight loss, and being able to feel structures that you normally cannot. Assuming you haven't had weight loss, then the next most common thing is a lump that has been there all along that you are just starting to feel now. These are the two most common things. Then there is the list of scary but rare things that could be considered, but most of these you would have noticed by now in other ways.

blg814 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-25-2012, 03:50 AM

Back in 02 I had a micro discectomy, L4, L5. Result cured the intense debilitating pain from the S1 being impinged. However, I have have residual desensitization in my left calf and left side of my foot. It feels like my foot is being squeezed inside a ski boot that is too tight. I just try not to think about it and try to forget it. Some days are worse than others. Some times I feel those pins and needles as well. No form of physio or exercise can cure nerve damage. I tried neurontin but it made me feel like crap. My only shot is to go back under the knife and perhaps have some new discs put back in if that's even possible.