HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Had Laminectomy Surgery. Painful And Numb Leg. MRI Shows Small Chronic Tear Of Posterior Annulus. Will Fusion Surgery Help?

I m 4 months out from having a laminectomy surgery @ l3-l4. Since the surgery pain has been worse with stabbing pain in my rt side and numbness n left leg from knee down. Pain meds do nothing for this. Just had a repeat MRI which showed a have a small chronic tear of the posterior annulus @ l4-l5. Also have a few millimeters of chronic retrolisthesis @ l5. Do you believe a fusion surgery will help?
Wed, 26 Mar 2014
Report Abuse
Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
this is the million dollar question. the best indication for spinal surgery are symptoms due to neural compression and from the sound of it you do not have this problem currently. some of the ongoing symptoms that you have following your surgery do sound neurological in nature and so some neuromodulating drugs may be of benefit to you such as pregabalin or gabapentin in addition to your analgesics. it is very early following your surgery and so I would not be in any rush to proceed with further spinal surgery until you are sure that you have fully rehabilitated by non-operative means. if your pain is substantial and it persists long term then you may feel that you have nothing to loose by further surgical intervention although such and operation at not get rid of all of your symptoms.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Chronic retrolisthesis


Loading Online Doctors....
Had Laminectomy Surgery. Painful And Numb Leg. MRI Shows Small Chronic Tear Of Posterior Annulus. Will Fusion Surgery Help?

this is the million dollar question. the best indication for spinal surgery are symptoms due to neural compression and from the sound of it you do not have this problem currently. some of the ongoing symptoms that you have following your surgery do sound neurological in nature and so some neuromodulating drugs may be of benefit to you such as pregabalin or gabapentin in addition to your analgesics. it is very early following your surgery and so I would not be in any rush to proceed with further spinal surgery until you are sure that you have fully rehabilitated by non-operative means. if your pain is substantial and it persists long term then you may feel that you have nothing to loose by further surgical intervention although such and operation at not get rid of all of your symptoms.