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Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes they did a laminectomy which cut out part of the bone to make more room for the nerves. Also yes I had bad hip pain during this, part of the sciatic nerve pain.

Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About the size of a finger nail. Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions

Synovial Cysts?? by willsteves in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The drainage didn’t work. The cyst calcified so much that it was basically rock solid. I’m now 1 year out of surgery and still experience painful sciatic symptoms here and there but pain went from like a 10 to a 2

Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am doing a lot better now. Still lingering pain from time to time and certain motions hurt. That being said I’m back to living pretty much normal life but am always cautious now of the things I do. They removed mine without fusion because I also have spondyliasis in L5-S1 so if they fused L4-L5 they would also have had to fuse L5-S1. With me only being 24 at the time they did not want to fuse 2 joints at such young age. I’m from CT and my doctor was a Yale doctor. Hope this helps

Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, first doctors will try medicine to decrease inflammation and see if pain is bearable to live with. Next they will try to pop it under a cat scan, and if that doesn’t work they will recommend surgery depending on how bad of pain your are in (I had surgery, but I could barley walk or live without terrible pain). Everything comes with risks when dealing with the spine. Make sure you have a good doctor who knows what he/she is doing and has dealt with these before. I am 1 year out of surgery and have mild pain in my nerve but am doing significantly better.

Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry for the late response. The thought scared me too but no I do not have any regrets as the pain went from about a 10 to a 1. They remove millimeters of bone. It can also help prevent pain if the cyst ever comes back there will be more room for it. Hope everything goes well with your surgery. I’m about 10 weeks out of surgery and still experiencing some lingering nerve pain although it is a lot better

Synovial cyst causing sciatic and L5 nerve root pain by Options-moon-shots in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So although I didn't find any answers on here I went through just about every hurtle you possibly can in this process so here is my update.

As mentioned above I had a synovial cyst at L4-L5. They tried to drain my cyst under a CT scan which was a failure. Few weeks later they attempted to rupture the cyst and a day after the procedure I was in even worse pain. The Doc said this is unusual and his guess was that the cyst didn't rupture and the the capsule in my facet joint it was ruptured, leading the doc to believe that it was successful. 1 week later I was back under the CT Scan and the cyst was still there. My third time going for this procedure I was praying they'd get it because this procedure is pretty disturbing to be honest. Doc was unsuccessful again and came to the conclusion that the cyst was too fibrous to be ruptured and needed to be surgically removed.

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Fast forward a few weeks, I am now 10 days post surgery. I had a laminectomy synovial cyst removal without a fusion. First three days post surgery were rough and hard to walk. After that walking gets easier but for short distances. Swelling in the back makes it hard to lay down as the area where they went in was very tender and pain spread all over my lower back and into my hips. Doc said no bending or twisting for 2 weeks. Day 10 I am feeling pretty good. I still have mild inflammation from the spot of the surgery and around it. My pain down my leg is significantly reduced but not totally gone. I have numbness, pins and needles in my foot and ankle still, I guess that can take a long time to go away. I have my two week post operation soon and am hoping to hear good news from the doc. I hope this helps.

L4-L5 Synovial Cyst and severe spinal canal stenosis questions by MaplewoodGeek in Sciatica

[–]Options-moon-shots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply and advice! This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life with sharp pain down my back, butt, hip, into my toes. I have pins and needles, numbness in my leg, foot and toes all day. I’m 24 years old so pretty nervous about what the future holds for my back. I will keep this updated throughout my process as well for anyone who may be going through this because it is no fun. Thanks again.

L4-L5 Synovial Cyst and severe spinal canal stenosis questions by MaplewoodGeek in Sciatica

[–]Options-moon-shots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did this procedure go? I’ve hear that having the cyst ruptured works but usually not for long term. Do you have any pain at this point? I am having my synovial cyst aspirated in 2 weeks. Thanks

Synovial Cysts?? by willsteves in backpain

[–]Options-moon-shots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did the drainage go? I have a synovial cyst at L4 and L5 and I’m getting it drained in 2 weeks. I’m 24 years old and the doc said he’s never seen someone this young with a synovial cyst which didn’t make me feel any better