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Does Sacral Nerve Damage Cause Pain In Leg?
Question: Three years ago, immediately after I had a hysterectomy, bladder sling, and anterior vaginal wall repair, I was rear-ended. Repeated spine MRI's with nothing notable,but, whenever I have had a rectal exam or walk too much, there is so much pressure and my nerves are on fire. I had colorectal surgery because of a prolapse resulting in 24 inches of colon being removed and re-sectioned; since that surgery, my bowels are very irregular - I will have normal ones; will wake up with formed bowel in pants. The nerve pain has reached a height of being impossible to walk for any distance and no medications removes the nerve pain. Unfortunately, I was lost in the cracks between civilian and military doctors, I've had no follow through and now, a once active, happy, person, I'm labeled "chronic pain - back" even tho I said the pain is deep within. My sphincter and prudential nerves are fine, but having a proctogram with tube inserted created the pain that I get when I walk. I had a doctor tell me that possibly the sacral nerves were damaged; does this make sense.
Abdominal pain; leg pain/weakness and no continuity of care.
Abdominal pain; leg pain/weakness and no continuity of care.
Brief Answer:
Sacral nerve damage unlikely to cause leg symptoms
Detailed Answer:
hi,
thanks for your question.
an MRI scan of the spine is very sensitive, therefore if there was a problem in your lumbar spine causing the symptoms in your legs it would almost certainly be identified. what your doctors would be looking for would be any signs of nerve root or spinal cord compression by a prolapsed interverebral disc. have you had an MRI scan of your spine?
your sacral nerve roots are responsible for sensation and muscular control of your lower bowel and anal area. your dr is correct I that damage to these nerves could be responsible for your ongoing bowel pain and problems with defecation however they are unlikely to be responsible for the symptoms in your legs, although the s1 never root does contribute to the muscles in your hamstrings and calf muscles.
I hope this helps maser your question.
best wishes
Sacral nerve damage unlikely to cause leg symptoms
Detailed Answer:
hi,
thanks for your question.
an MRI scan of the spine is very sensitive, therefore if there was a problem in your lumbar spine causing the symptoms in your legs it would almost certainly be identified. what your doctors would be looking for would be any signs of nerve root or spinal cord compression by a prolapsed interverebral disc. have you had an MRI scan of your spine?
your sacral nerve roots are responsible for sensation and muscular control of your lower bowel and anal area. your dr is correct I that damage to these nerves could be responsible for your ongoing bowel pain and problems with defecation however they are unlikely to be responsible for the symptoms in your legs, although the s1 never root does contribute to the muscles in your hamstrings and calf muscles.
I hope this helps maser your question.
best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
The MRI was in September, 2013. Since then, I don't have any of the symptoms I had initially. Seems everything points either to the mesh from the colorectal surgery or damage from the surgery/surgeries. Possibly the sacral nerve.
Can you explain why, when having the defecating proctogram, a manual exam, of the rectum, the nerves that haunt me were on fire and continued until several days. Now, the pressure that pushes into my back, causes so much pain, I can move little. This has been a nightmare and, if the heads of department who operated in areas, can't get together to see why I have such throbbing, fecal irregularities, then I'm doomed. I expected more from your answer after all I explained. Did I not explain it well enough?As far as pain, my leg is the least of my concerns, but the throbbing inside - from above tailbone, down, is crippling.
I'm assuming radiculopathy regarding leg, but the issues with incontinence, first started with a lumbar injection and each one thereafter; never, ever any other time until I had the colorectal surgery. Is another specialist more pertinent to this? If I see a surgeon, it's not for surgery, it's to understand what happened to me during that surgery, so, having direction I have not had. Seeing military doctors, I'm not fortunate to have consistent follow through because of deployments and now, meds are the answer and I find it unacceptable. I'm sorry, I have so much stored in my head after three years of incompetency and doctors who will inject and inject. If I am not clear, please advise. How would my sacral nerves be checked?
Can you explain why, when having the defecating proctogram, a manual exam, of the rectum, the nerves that haunt me were on fire and continued until several days. Now, the pressure that pushes into my back, causes so much pain, I can move little. This has been a nightmare and, if the heads of department who operated in areas, can't get together to see why I have such throbbing, fecal irregularities, then I'm doomed. I expected more from your answer after all I explained. Did I not explain it well enough?As far as pain, my leg is the least of my concerns, but the throbbing inside - from above tailbone, down, is crippling.
I'm assuming radiculopathy regarding leg, but the issues with incontinence, first started with a lumbar injection and each one thereafter; never, ever any other time until I had the colorectal surgery. Is another specialist more pertinent to this? If I see a surgeon, it's not for surgery, it's to understand what happened to me during that surgery, so, having direction I have not had. Seeing military doctors, I'm not fortunate to have consistent follow through because of deployments and now, meds are the answer and I find it unacceptable. I'm sorry, I have so much stored in my head after three years of incompetency and doctors who will inject and inject. If I am not clear, please advise. How would my sacral nerves be checked?
Brief Answer:
See answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your further questions.
There is no sacral nerve only the sacral plexus which is a the lower nerve roots of the spinal cord. There is a sciatic nerve that contributes to then sensation and motor function in the leg. There is no easy way to check the function of your sacral nerve roots other than to examine the tone and sensation of your anus and find out about your bowel, bladder and sexual function.
It sounds like the pain your are experiencing as your doctors have indicated is emanating from damage to your sacral plexus rather than any entrapment or damage to the nerves that supply the leg.
There is no surgical solution to this. your symptoms would have to be treated largely with medication such as antinflammatory drugs, neuromodulating drugs such as gabapentin, and opiate medication.
Managing your bowel habit i.e. the frequency and consistency of your stool with medication such as stool softeners and laxatives may also help.
The pain in your tail bone could be coccydynia which is a difficult problem to manage. Non operative means include a doughnut cushion for sitting and antiinflammatory medication. Steroid shots can also help.
Seeing a pain specialist doctor can be of benefit in your situation.
I hope this information is of benefit to you.
Best wishes
See answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your further questions.
There is no sacral nerve only the sacral plexus which is a the lower nerve roots of the spinal cord. There is a sciatic nerve that contributes to then sensation and motor function in the leg. There is no easy way to check the function of your sacral nerve roots other than to examine the tone and sensation of your anus and find out about your bowel, bladder and sexual function.
It sounds like the pain your are experiencing as your doctors have indicated is emanating from damage to your sacral plexus rather than any entrapment or damage to the nerves that supply the leg.
There is no surgical solution to this. your symptoms would have to be treated largely with medication such as antinflammatory drugs, neuromodulating drugs such as gabapentin, and opiate medication.
Managing your bowel habit i.e. the frequency and consistency of your stool with medication such as stool softeners and laxatives may also help.
The pain in your tail bone could be coccydynia which is a difficult problem to manage. Non operative means include a doughnut cushion for sitting and antiinflammatory medication. Steroid shots can also help.
Seeing a pain specialist doctor can be of benefit in your situation.
I hope this information is of benefit to you.
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
How could the sacral plexus be damaged? Why would rectal exam be so painful - I had rwo manometry and defecating tests prior to colorectal surgery; no pain until test after the surgery. Mesh? I've not met one dr who uses mesh to secure the colon to side of rectum. This has literally made my life a nightmare. The infection I came home w/created quite an ordeal to include surgery. My bra pushes on the mesh there and feels lose. Does this sound normal?
My bowel habits were fine until he operated and I have to live with severe pain and bowel issues? Not your problem, but healthcare has been spotty and I have no life. Gabapentin and Lyrica did not work. Opiates aren't doing much except depress me and cause mood changes.
I have what feels like a XXXXXXX pushing into my back which starts the protection walk; it's pressure is so obvious, but, to date, I've not had it checked although I've mentioned it. In closing, and most importantly, I had an SI injection which gave me the same nerve pain. Dr hit the road so no idea why he told me I'd hate him for a few days but it shoukd improve.
Pain Management is a joke here - people are lined up like cattle, injected, and, if problems, not one return call. I am so healthy, but, after being a guinea pig, I'm ruined.
My bowel habits were fine until he operated and I have to live with severe pain and bowel issues? Not your problem, but healthcare has been spotty and I have no life. Gabapentin and Lyrica did not work. Opiates aren't doing much except depress me and cause mood changes.
I have what feels like a XXXXXXX pushing into my back which starts the protection walk; it's pressure is so obvious, but, to date, I've not had it checked although I've mentioned it. In closing, and most importantly, I had an SI injection which gave me the same nerve pain. Dr hit the road so no idea why he told me I'd hate him for a few days but it shoukd improve.
Pain Management is a joke here - people are lined up like cattle, injected, and, if problems, not one return call. I am so healthy, but, after being a guinea pig, I'm ruined.
Brief Answer:
Nerve damage may have occurred during surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have experienced. The nerves that you have been told have been damaged could have been injured during your surgery.
I would encourage you to seek a further opinion from a local colorectal surgeon.
Best wishes
Nerve damage may have occurred during surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have experienced. The nerves that you have been told have been damaged could have been injured during your surgery.
I would encourage you to seek a further opinion from a local colorectal surgeon.
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you. Exactly what would I ask for. It appears the first surgeon butchered me; in fact, he was man enough to say he failed, but, my entire body is under siege and I don't know what to ask another surgeon. My experience is, if you go to a surgeon, it's thought one wants surgery - I don't want surgery; I want to understand why my body is in the shape it's in.
Thank you for your help. You spent more time discussing avenues than what I received here.
Thank you for your help. You spent more time discussing avenues than what I received here.
Brief Answer:
Thank you and best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you, I hope you find some resolution to your symptoms through a compassionate and humble dr with an understanding of your particular issues. they are out there so do not give up hope!
Best wishes
Thank you and best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you, I hope you find some resolution to your symptoms through a compassionate and humble dr with an understanding of your particular issues. they are out there so do not give up hope!
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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