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?treatment for L5-S1 disc tear & facet problems?

Hey...

Last year I had an injury at work & now have a torn L5-S1 disc and problems with surrounding facets. they cannot get on top of my pain and its unbearable...am on very strong painkillers & have physio once a week. They have said surgery not an option & orthopedic consultant discharged me & referred me to pain specialist. I need help... please!!
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1295655 tn?1272467246
Well it sounds as if you have sciatica because of the leg pain etc. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and travels from the lower spine to the foot and eventually toes.All the cold pins and needles etc are typical sciatica symptoms. What accident actually happened at work did u fall/trip? if so, onto what part of body?
I fell onto my bum and have sciatica as a consequence BUT I don't have any sciatic impingment or disc prolapse or sciatic impingment in my spine. As mentioned the sciatic nerve is the longest in the body and can be impinged anywhere alomg it's length, as with all nerves. My problem is with my piriformis muscle (in the bum) so check piriformis syndrome out as well. You do sound as if you have the classic disc/spine problem however, because the area is too painful to touch, but there is nothing to say that you can't have both disc and piriformis problems. I hope the injections do work for you, in the mean time because your problem is a nerve one as well as localised pain ask your Dr about gabapentin which can help with nerve pain (still need other pain killers but they, like tramadol can be taken alongside the gabapentin. Take care.
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Same, I fell three years ago and had significant compression fractures at L4, L5 and am bone on bone at S1.  Can't stand or walk for more than a few minutes and my life consists of going from one place to sit to the next as quickly as I can.  I am on gabapentin, small amount of acetaminophen and codeine but that is short term.  I am waiting for surgery approval after trying PT, epidural injection, etc. but that will be a couple of months to get in.  My next stop is to an unscrupulous vet. as they just shoot horses in my shape.  Present age 74+.
Avatar universal
Work accident/ Yeh had an MRI, showed torn Disc L5/S1 & problem with surrounding facets. No nerve impingment, just irritated. Im in CONSTANT pain in mid & lower back, into buttock and ito and down mainly right leg, sometimes, left too. I sometimes get cold and pin & needles in feet. They started me on co-codamol & diclofanac, then to tramadol and diclofenac, then added norotriplyene. Now pain consultant taken me off the tramadol and puit me on oxycontin (but they didnt tell me id react badly to coming off tramadol, so for the last 5 days ive had complete withdrawl symptoms and am shakin, sweating, panicking, anxious, adjitated, etc) and the oxycontin isnt helping at all and im in so much pain. They said they may inject into the facets in 3 months, but they cant at the moment as the area is to painful to touch at the moment. :o(
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1295655 tn?1272467246
How did you hurt yourself? I take it you have had am MRI and arebthey saying that there is no nerve impingement? What pain symptoms do you have? sciatica? Sorry a lot of questions but a bit more info is needed. Take care
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