Question
Dr. Peter Carr,

I had L4-5 and L5-S1 disc herniations, larger at the L5-S1 level for which they performed surgery due to cauda equina syndrome on October 2nd 2008, I had back pain and my right foot has some numbness and also pain in the calf and right. After surgery I still have the pain in my back, right leg and numbness in my foot plus I have bladder urgency which has caused so much problems which started after surgery. My surgeon repeated and MRI and told me that I have these symptoms because I have significant scar tissue from the surgery. My family doctor also referred me to do an EMG which showed I have a moderate L5-S1 root damage. I think the root damage is not causing all these problems. I am unable to sit, walk and lie sleeping on my back. I have tried all kinds of pill but my life is getting worse day by day. Please advise me what I should do in this situation. Thank you very much.


Answer
Mohammed;

I have to say that your symptoms do sound like they are coming from the nerve damage in your low back.  Once surgery has been performed, I don't feel as comfortable giving advice or commenting on the nature of people's condition, since the person who knows most about you and your condition is your surgeon and the docs you are working with.  Not to push this back on you, but the docs you are working with would know better than me.   Have you asked them about a second surgery to get rid of the scar tissue from the first surgery?  It sounds like life is not exactly a bowl of cherries for you... more like the pits.   Tell your doc that you need a change and ask to explore any options that might be available to you.  Ask them to think out of the box, challenge them.  That's what we're here for, anyway, right?

Hope this answer helped a little.

Dr. Peter Carr
Seattle, WA