Is it 'typical' to have hip and leg pain 9 years after my second scoliosis surgery?

[McBolly]

Is it 'typical' to have hip and leg pain 9 years after my second scoliosis surgery?

I had my first surgery at age 13 and the rods extended to L3 but my bottom curve (originally a S curve; don't remember degrees?) and I began to experience pain as well as bulging of my upper right back/shoulder blade. So, in 2001, at age 18, I had my second scoliosis surgery with the same doctor (very well known and respected) and this time they replaced my old rods with Herrington rods from L1-L5. I have had pain off and on; particularly in cold weather...but never severe enough to cause me to think something may be wrong. Now, for the past 3 weeks or so, I have had an extreme increase in level of pain to my Right Hip/Lower back and my right leg/knee (mostly upper leg-thigh area).

I get sick a lot and have had several surgeries (2 for scoliosis, gallbladder removal, ASD to fill hole in my heart - as well as complications after surgeries requiring feeding tubes and hospital admissions for Post-op Pneumonia). As a result, my boyfriend and some family believe I am just somatic and a 'hypochondriac'....which I admit sometimes I am. I have been treated for anxiety, depression and substance abuse so most doctors assume it's either psychological or drug-seeking; I have even heard a doctor throw out a diagnosis of Conversion Disorder. (and, I'm a psych major)

So, sorry for the novel...just frustrated...this is the question:  Is it 'typical' to experience localized pain years after rod placement? I have always had the most pain in my Right lower back and hip and more recently to my Right leg and knee. Today I dropped my laptop and a bowl of cereal because I did not realize my arm was all of a sudden very weak. I do not take narcotics but all the otc meds are destroying the lining of my stomach (already with a hx. of gastritis and ulcers). And to describe my pain in detail....

...the pain in my Right hip (which often affects my left hip) is usually a throbbing/aching pain. My hip often feels "stiff" and sometimes I feel like I just had surgery yesterday when trying to get out of bed. And, to clarify: I have only experienced what I would consider 'radiating pain' 2-3 times over past few days...beginning in my Right hip and traveling down the front of my Right leg/knee/foot. And, at times I feel as though my Right arm is giving out (which may just be my body responding to me not using my Right side as much?)

My surgeon said this was a 'corrective surgery' and any complications or future problems dealing with back/hip/leg pain would most likely not be a result of my rods. I'm frustrated, hurting and tired of taking flexeril every night...it makes me feel too lethargic.

[McBolly]

Thanks so much for replying. Yeah..it's hard to decide when pain is "severe enough" to need stronger pain killers. I rarely take the flexeril....it mainly just helps me fall asleep. The ultram helps some...but makes my hands shake. I have taken Norco/Lortab over the past few years in moderation; or while someone holds them for me but it just doesn't solve the problem. And, just when I thought things were better....this hip and leg pain returned; and much more severe!

I think your advice was wonderful. I definitely need to visit my surgeon and/or a good orthopedic doctor. I know I need Physical Therapy and Exercise (But, Physical Therapists need to teach me what to do and what not to do first). Everything just cost so much. It's $50 with my insurance to see a specialist and the same for Physical Therapy. (and, ha!...I work at a hospital). But, I need to get my priorities straight now...more than ever. Thanks so much.

Oh...FYI...this morning I woke up almost pain free. Love those days! Guess all my stretching, anti-inflammatory meds, topicals, massages, lotions, and all the complaining helped! HA! OH...and I had off work yesterday too. Thanks Again...

....Holly (McBolly)

[ggreg]

Well, the scoliosis is not just going to go away... your spine will continue to move around and curve little by little, and so it seems logical to me that this pressure has led to the general area of your old operation site beginning to hurt again.  I am unsure if the flexeril might be playing into this somehow, could be your muscles are too relaxed.  You should actually be in physical therapy, I think, to strengthen your muscles, plus exercise lets them relax afterwards naturally.  A little medication whilst in a temporary PT program might help all this resolve itself, by releasing a nerve that has apparently gotten pinched in your spine somehow.  But you need to visit the doc who did the other surgeries, if he's still around, or someone in his physician group, and see what he says about another possible operation, or perhaps he'll just prescribe physical therapy and meds to see how you do with moderate treatment.  By the way, all the previous drug use and so forth, was just you self-medicating your miseries, both mental and physical, because when a person is in pain, it can drive them nuts.  I hope you find some answers soon and get a treatment plan going.