I had experienced numbness in feet and skin on both legs 2 weeks following a multi-level lumbar fusion. The back of the legs are sensitive to touch and painful. I was given Gabipentin which made me into an idiot and then Lyrica which is effective but causes instability and memory loss. I just had an EMG/ NCS and the Physiatrist told me last week that I have irreversible peripheral neuropathy. I did read an article that indicated that peripheral neuropathy after surgery can be the result of immune system attack on the nerves. I am wondering if anyone treats with a Rheumatologist who would treat immune system diseases? Or do you see a Neurologist for the condition? I see a competent Orthopedic surgeon but don't see him having any expertise on the condition. In fact he told me he thought the condition would have gone away by now. I have been able to drop my Lyrica dose to 225g per day for the leg pain but the feet stay the same with numbness and burning pain. Any info on post surgical neuropathy and its treatment would be appreciated.
Post lumbar surgery Peripheral Neuropathy. Who treats this type?
Question posted by fastcarbon on 6 March 2013
Last updated on 28 June 2013 by Anonymous
Answers
Fastcarbon-Have you gotten any help or answers on the peripheral neuropathy? I have the same exact thing in my calf and foot! I fell a year ago and was badly bruised but thankful I didn't break anything... HA! A week later I stood up to walk and drops in the most hideous debilitating pain I have ever felt. I was taken to the hospital by squad, screaming & crying for over 24 hrs waiting on my spine Dr. No drug helped. In & out of consciousness from the pain. I was taken into emergency surgery after an MRI (no memory if it!) He removed a bunch of bone shards from my sciatic nerve, the largest being an inch and a half, and from the nerves surrounding my spinal cord. He also did a lumbar laminectomy Discectomy at L4L5. A year later, I am still unable to sit for longer than 10-15 min at a time, including driving. It feels like Im stepping on a huge mass under my foot and feels like my pinky toe is so huge it doesn't fit. Numbness & tingling like my foot is asleep only painfully magnified 100X. If I get stuck sitting in the car too long it feels like my foot is in freezing cold water too long and cramping up so tight its going to explode. I just heard from my new Dr. that a Neurosurgeon can give me some sort of injections. I want my life back. Lyrica & Gabbapentin does nothing to help. Anyone have any experience with my pain or have any information?
I would suggest seeing a neurologist first for the neuropathy, and then go from there.
I had emergency discectomy, laminectomy and foraminotomy for cauda equina syndrome back in March of this year. I had initial improvement in my pain for 1month but following this my pain returned and also some of the cauda equina symptoms. I had a repeat MRI and X-rays which didn't show any compression or instability. Three wks ago I underwent a transforaminal epidural corticosteroid injection and again I saw an initial improvement after about 2wks but now my pain and symptoms have returned. My surgeon tells me that it takes time for the steroids to work and I need to wait. I just wondered if I may have nerve damage and wondered what procedures I could suggest to try and find out if this is the case or not
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peripheral neuropathy, surgery, skin
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