I have had lower back issues for the past 5 years. MRI done several years ago showed stenosis around the L5, I was off work for several months doing physical therapy to strengthen my core and had a series of steroid injections. I felt much better but shortly after returning to work which involves heavy equipment repair, maintenance, installation and retrofits the symptoms returned. I had another MRI done last year that showed better results than the previous MRI though I was not feeling better. I saw a neurosurgeon who ordered a bunch of X-Rays that showed the L5 was unstable and moving up to a centimeter in either direction. He said I needed surgery to stabilize the L5 by fusing it to the L4. My insurance (Aetna) refused to cover it, went through the entire appeals process and was declined. That was in July of last year, my back issues have not improved now I am having issues with a dull ache from my hip to my ankle almost everyday and worse at night. I am not sure if this is related to my back issues or if I should be concerned it is something entirely separate.
Not sure what to do from here.... any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Wesley W. Levis