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I HAVE MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN IN MY LEGS DAILY...BURNING,
Question: I HAVE MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN IN MY LEGS DAILY...BURNING, THROBBING PAIN EVEN AT REST. SLEEP VERY LITTLE DUE TO PAIN. LEGS HAVE BECOME VERY WEAK AND I MUST STAND A LOT AT WORK AS A PHARMACIST. I USE LIDOCAINE 4% PATCHES ALL OVER MY LEGS AT NIGHT, PLUS PAIN MEDS...SOMETIMES WITH LITTLE EFFECT. I HAVE A VERY BAD SPINE AND HAD L-4, L-5 SURGERY ON JULY 13th.....
Brief Answer:
A MRI examination should be done to confirm the cause of the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
There are several causes that may cause leg pain after L-4, L-5 surgery.
Some of the possible causes can be:
-a nerve damage during the surgery
-another disc herniation
-scar tissue formed by the surgery, which may limit the mobility of the nerve root.
The pain should be healed in a few weeks after surgery because of the inflammation of the nerve. If the pain continues for more than three months several examinations should be done to confirm the cause of the pain.
I would suggest doing an MRI examination to precisely confirm the cause of the pain.
Meanwhile, I would suggest continuing the same medication that you are using already. The pain management is correct. I would recommend stretching exercises of the nerve root to prevent scar tissue. If the pain is too strong you can also try Oxicodone 10 mg 3 times a day for relief.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
A MRI examination should be done to confirm the cause of the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
There are several causes that may cause leg pain after L-4, L-5 surgery.
Some of the possible causes can be:
-a nerve damage during the surgery
-another disc herniation
-scar tissue formed by the surgery, which may limit the mobility of the nerve root.
The pain should be healed in a few weeks after surgery because of the inflammation of the nerve. If the pain continues for more than three months several examinations should be done to confirm the cause of the pain.
I would suggest doing an MRI examination to precisely confirm the cause of the pain.
Meanwhile, I would suggest continuing the same medication that you are using already. The pain management is correct. I would recommend stretching exercises of the nerve root to prevent scar tissue. If the pain is too strong you can also try Oxicodone 10 mg 3 times a day for relief.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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