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Avatar universal

L5 SI Pain

I have had severe pain down my right leg from this condition for about 10 years.  At first I went from doctor to doctor and no 0ne seemed to know what the problem was.  Now I;ve had MRI and CAT Scan and "they" say I have nothing extraordinary wrong, for my age, but the pain is bad enough now that I can't sleep at night.  Have had two injections: first one helped for about 9 months, second one - nothing.

Who is the BEST surgeon in this field, and should I even be considering surgery?
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171791 tn?1358214381
Yes get copy of MRI ask for it on a disc too cause the films can get scratched and the Dr. you go to can read the disc without any scratches from handeling.  I agree go to a nuerosurgeon.  They know more about the nerves.  Your nerve in the back is very precious and you need someone that has knowledge about this.  Ortho (not to down them) doesnt study the nerves like a nuerosurgeon does.  Find a good one in your city.  Talk to people and find out what Dr. has helped them   10 yrs is toooo long to go hurting.  I cant imagine. I know people that have had the injections too and out of the 4 I know 1 was better.  The others were like you the first injection helped but the others didnt. Get meds to help until u can get something down.  Some people down meds but if that is what it takes for you get enjoy life a little or go with less pain ask for them.  Write down everything you experience like I did and when you see the Dr. tell him/her that please take a minute or two and let you read what you have took the time to write down.  This way you wont forget to tell them anything.  After all they are being paid to see you.  Good Luck and keep us posted.  My back and leg pain was coming from extruded disc material laying on the sciatia nerve.  Some peoples body will reabsorb this material and others wont.  Mine didnt.  Surgery was my deal.  And here I go again with surgery.
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Avatar universal
I hurt my back at work in April and am still having problems.  My pain went through my stomach and down my leg.  My cat scan found a protuding disc, am going to the city to get second opionial with ortho surgeon and to see pain management.  Keep getting the tingling feeling in my foot and leg.   My ortho is very blassa about it, but when you have to live with the pain and not being able to do the things you usually do it gets very depressing.  Keep pressing on for answers and make sure they do the right thing and perservere in finding out the problem
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Avatar universal
if you have doubts of what they are telling you...call the place that done the MRI and ask them for a copy of your MRI report. they should be able to have it ready for you that very day to come pick up. that way you can read for yourself what the findings were...and it may explain alot to you, as far as whats causing the pain.

after 10 years....id probably would have seen a surgeon a lonnnnnggg time ago! neurosurgeon (NOT neurologist!).....or an orthopedic surgeon.  
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