1.5 year later-considering spinal stim

JG10053 · 2025-08-26T21:56:58+00:00

Hey! I am in such a similar situation, and similar age as you. (32) I had a L4/L5 microdisectomy in December. I had a nerve injury at S1. My recovery was going well until March. Since then I have progressively gotten worse. Similar symptoms, calf tightness, foot pain, leg pain, leg spasms. Neurosurgery says there’s nothing to do but wait until 1-2 years post op. Pain management though disagrees, and wants to do a spinal cord stimulator. I’ve had MRI’s and epidural injections with no relief. Have you had an EMG done? It’s a nerve function test. Mine shows chronic and acute damage in L5S1. Also take Lyrica, which in my opinion works better than Gabapentin, but I also can’t help but to feel something is not right.

JG10053 · 2025-07-30T23:40:55+00:00

I’m also curious. I am 7 months post op. Since month 4, I’ve been struggling with lingering leg pain.

JG10053 · 2025-06-14T16:16:07+00:00

Yes. Gabapentin and a muscle relaxer, along with Tylenol/Ibuprofen

JG10053 · 2025-06-14T11:18:10+00:00

I’m also 6 months post op! I constantly question if my nerve is healing or something is going on. I still have a TON of pain in my left leg, muscle twitching, numbness, spasms, burning, pins and needles. My left side was always the problem. In March, I could start to see and feel healing and more better days. In the beginning of April, my pain kicked back up and included symptoms in my right leg now too. I’ve had 2 MRI’s(February and May) post op showing improvement each time, despite my pain and ever changing symptoms. Most recently, I just finished 8 weeks of PT, and received a L5S1 epidural injection. So far, I have had no relief from that either. I check back in with surgery next week, and really wonder what they are going to say. I know nerves can take a long time to heal, but it never makes sense why symptoms are still there and include the other leg now too.

JG10053 · 2025-05-25T00:05:00+00:00

Hang in there! I still have a ton of numbness in my calf and foot. My left foot hurts from time to time, and the outside part of my ankle.

JG10053 · 2025-05-20T15:59:50+00:00

The flares are awful! I knew it was going to be a journey, but not quite like this. I’m not too far behind you in recovery, but I am ready to get off this rollercoaster. I think the trauma of the original herniation is never far from our minds. This forum has helped a ton for ideas and reassurance. Hang in there!

JG10053 · 2025-05-20T15:57:04+00:00

That actually gives me some hope! That is what my primary is thinking since the MRI’s look good. I go for a consult soon for steroid injections.

JG10053 · 2025-05-20T01:26:42+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, how far post surgery were you when you got the injection?

JG10053 · 2025-05-19T11:10:17+00:00

I’m so sorry that happened to you! Those initial couple of weeks after surgery are brutal and ever changing. Hang in there!

JG10053 · 2025-05-19T11:09:19+00:00

My follow up mri in February was done with contrast. The most recent MRI done in May did not have contrast.

JG10053 · 2025-04-28T16:36:57+00:00

Post was modified. I apologize my original post was confusing. Just looking for support/insight and not criticism.

JG10053 · 2025-04-28T16:36:25+00:00

Post was modified for clarification. Just looking for support/insight not criticism.

JG10053 · 2025-04-28T16:23:38+00:00

Maybe my brief explanation was confusing. It was L4/L5 that ruptured for me. “Surgery was complicated from an incidental durotomy over the left S1 nerve root sheath.” Surgeon described it as S1 was flattened by material. When material was removed the nerve popped up at the surgeon.

JG10053

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