I had lumbar stenosis and disc space collaspe which required an extreme lumbar surgery. It has been 9 weeks since the surgery, but the pain in my knee caused from this has not gone away. I can't sit or drive without severe pain. Is this normal and what can I do to help it. I walk 1 1/2 miles each morning. Thank you!
Hello
I am waiting for you to come online
I do not know what an "extreme" lumbar surgery is?
the pain is in your knee? is this "radicular" pain down the back of your thigh? or coming around your lateral hip and then crossing your kneecap?
Or is this "nociceptive" pain within your knee (osteoarthritis pain)
Since you are not here, I am forced to guess, so that is what I will do, and I would think the former here. You have radicular pain going down your thigh to your knee when you sit for prolonged periods.
Disc 4-5 blew out 6 years ago and I had surgery that releaaved the pain immediatley. The pain was in the front of my right let from my knee to my ankle.
oh hi
ok so that is what you are getting with prolonged sitting?
did you have an autologous bone/ disc fusion at L4/5?
are you there?
Then november 2011 I had low back bain, pain in groin area, would almost fall from pain when I moved certain ways, and the pain is in my right knee just right above where it started 6 years ago. The disc had collasped and the dr. thought the surgery would make the leg pain go away. b So on May 1, 2012 I had the surgery, but my knee still hurts. The bain comes down the back of my right leg and stops in my right knee. I did have the disc fusion of L45
maybe you are having trouble with the chat line
oh hi there u are
ok
so this is the same nerve.
yes, I think so
this is the L 4 root crossing over from the lateral thigh, over the knee and supplying the top of your foot
but it hasn't been that long so I would not give up hope
the walking is a good idea
do you want to take a med for neuropathic pain?
like lyrica or neurontin?
these would help to reduce the pain to the top of your knee
and you might not need to take a lot, just for a few months until your surgery healed fully
I would put you on lyrica, 50 mg starting dose, 2 or up to 3 times a day for starters.
I took neurontin before and 2 months after the surgery. Do you think I need to take it longer?
oh
how much?
yes, take it longer
exactly, a few more months, and then try to wean off again
3 times a day and I do not remember the dosage.
probably just 100 mg , how much to you weigh?
have you ever taken Lyrica? I think it is a little better drug, they are similar lyrica is more expensive
you still there?
again maybe a problem with the chat. I will switch this to the question and answer. please get back to me to discuss your meds. I will leave you with a webpage on pregabalin. If is more efficacious at a lower dose (less side effects)
http://reference.medscape.com/drug/lyrica-pregabalin-343368
I weigh 140 lbs. 5'6' tall I have never tried lyrica.
well then I would try it first as you may need to stay on this for some time, and lyrica causes less sedation. You can ask your neurologist of course.
they are both renally metabolized
so no liver issues
no
no,, I mean you don't have to worry about hurting your liver with these drugs
OK
do you have any other questions I could answer?
Are there any more exersice that I could do other thatn walking? Will any kind of ice pack or heat help?
I know you aren't thinking this way, but they have these new little "spacers" that they can install with very minimal surgery to lift up your pedicle and take pressure off that nerve root
it is too early to think about more surgery, though
you need to do stretching and a back exercise program with strengthening
we call it back school
sounds good can you explain how or what to do?
I don't have any good webpages in my computer for back school, you need to find a therapist
do you have time for PT?
you could go to PT for a few visits and get them to build you a home program
Not really, but I guess I can find time. Do I just need to ask my doctor for on of the prescriptin you suggested and them. I will also ask for some PT then o them onmy own.
Yes. ask your doctor for PT prescription, but three times a week for 6 weeks (18 visits) that is what the insurance usually covers. Then when you go to PT, tell them you need a home therapy program and you want their back school program
this is going to be a prolonged recovery, but you can do it.
if you are walking 1.5 miles a day, this will get you over the bump in the road
Thank you. You have been a great help. I was afraid that my knee and leg pain was not going to get any better!!!!!I Can I get a copy of our conversation so I can go back and read everything, just in case I missed something important?
yes I will switch this to the question and answer section. you just right click on it and print it ok?
take care, come back anytime ok? and please rate my service as that is how I am compensated Dr Frank t.
Our chat has ended, but you can still continue to ask me questions here until you are satisfied with your answer. Come back to this page to view our conversation and any other new information. What happens now? If you haven’t already done so, please rate your answer above. Or, you can reply to me using the box below.