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  • Leg Numbness post surgery

    Hi all,

    Hope everyone is well

    I had scoliosis surgery around 10 years ago now for fairly severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis when I was 24. I had a double "S" curve of around 80 degrees pre surgery, which was corrected by around 50-60%. I have largely been pleased with the results of my surgery and went on to do many amazing things post recovery. However, in the last few years I have developed numbness down my right leg, that wasn't there before. I don't have pain at all, it's just numb down my leg and into my toes. It's been that way for years now. Since developing these symptoms, I have had nerve conduction tests, blood tests and MRI scans of my head and whole spine to investigate. My original surgeon has looked at the scans, as well as a neurologist. They have said that based on the scans, they don't know the cause of this numbness, as there is nothing that would cause this showing on the scans and that I just have to live with it. It causes me great anxiety because I don't know the cause or if it will get worse and it's there all the time. I have other numb patches on my body, most of my back is numb from the surgery. I also have a numb patch on my stomach which I'm not 100% sure has always been there or not. Anyway I suppose I just wondered if anyone else had experiences like this? Part of me thinks it surely must be something to do with my back and my surgery but I just don't know.

    Louise X
    34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

    Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

    My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

  • #2
    Hello and hope you can find your answer. The only test I know of that you haven't mentioned is a myelogram. I have a condition called arachnoiditis, it is similar for me and is only manageable but not curable. The condition was found through the myelogram
    T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
    C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
    T2--T10 fusion 2/11
    C 4-5 fusion 11/14
    Right scapulectomy 6/15
    Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
    To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
    Broken neck 9/28/2018
    Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
    Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
    Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
    Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
    Osteotomy

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by jackieg412 View Post
      Hello and hope you can find your answer. The only test I know of that you haven't mentioned is a myelogram. I have a condition called arachnoiditis, it is similar for me and is only manageable but not curable. The condition was found through the myelogram
      Thanks for your reply Jackie, I appreciate it. I'm planning on going back to my Dr to see what (if anything) else test wise can be done. It's just exhausting and it's getting me down. Apart from this I've been doing really well post surgery. I just hate not knowing the cause.
      34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

      Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

      My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Louise

        Here is a dermatome map...

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatome_(anatomy)

        You can see that any symptoms in the feet or legs can originate from L5, (Yellow band) S1 (Red band) and also L4 (Red dots) which is below your fusion mass. Degeneration and nerve root impingement in the lowest lumbar levels under scoliosis fusion masses is something that can happen to us. It can happen without fusion, and it can happen without scoliosis.

        How numb do you get? 1-10 scale?

        Did you make it to Machu Picchu?

        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
          Hi Louise

          Here is a dermatome map...

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatome_(anatomy)

          You can see that any symptoms in the feet or legs can originate from L5, (Yellow band) S1 (Red band) and also L4 (Red dots) which is below your fusion mass. Degeneration and nerve root impingement in the lowest lumbar levels under scoliosis fusion masses is something that can happen to us. It can happen without fusion, and it can happen without scoliosis.

          How numb do you get? 1-10 scale?

          Did you make it to Machu Picchu?

          Ed

          Hi Ed,

          Thanks for your reply would this kind of thing show on an MRI? Reading my notes from my MRI a few years ago it said there was degenerative change in L5/S1 with dehydration and marked loss of height - no idea what that means though. The notes say there is no obvious relation between the scan and my symptoms so it's confusing. The numbness is always there now, it's probably around 6. I can still feel but it's like a loss of sensation down my leg and I have lost my ankle reflex also on the right side.

          Unfortunately I didn't make it to Machu Picchu due to the pandemic, I'm hoping to still make it there. I have rearranged it for October but will have to see what happens I guess!!

          Louise
          34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

          Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

          My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Louise...

            I would consider getting a second opinion from another scoliosis specialist.

            --Linda
            Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
            Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by louise_23 View Post
              Hi Ed,

              Thanks for your reply would this kind of thing show on an MRI? Reading my notes from my MRI a few years ago it said there was degenerative change in L5/S1 with dehydration and marked loss of height - no idea what that means though. The notes say there is no obvious relation between the scan and my symptoms so it's confusing. The numbness is always there now, it's probably around 6. I can still feel but it's like a loss of sensation down my leg and I have lost my ankle reflex also on the right side.
              Yes, with MRI they can see degenerative changes however, imaging can be a challenge for many different reasons.....You do have a prior MRI history of degenerative changes with dehydration.... Discs will dehydrate, it's the start of the degenerative process in spinal discs. Just because they have not found anything conclusive this time, doesn't mean there isn't a problem. (And they know that)

              ABCs of degenerative spine. This is a good article!
              https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5893484/

              The fact that they cannot establish a relation or cause of your numbness, (It's a signal) I agree with Linda on getting a second opinion. I can't remember the British surgeons but if you reach out to some of the others from the old SSO forum, they will be able to help you find the right specialist. Some were done at Stanmore. Jay Moe and Spinals have posts here, so does Tonibunny. You would have to look to see if they mention their surgeons. Or PM, or reach out to them.

              My left hand goes numb every once in a while due to 2 cervical herniations C5/6, C6/7 from many years ago. I did a Medrol pack (Oral steroids) and diclofenac on that one, and all the pain is gone...You simply touch the spinal cord with a minor herniation, and it can cause all sorts of pain and numbness. Same for the nerves that exit the spinal cord from the sides. In scoliosis, when spinal discs collapse some, it leaves less room for nerves and numbness and pain can result. When surgeons use spacers in the lumbar spine, those spacers lift and separate the vertebrae and create room for exiting spinal nerves. I have 5 spacers, all 13mm thick made from PEEK which is a white plastic. You can't see PEEK on x-ray, but you can see the markers on my x-rays. There are 3 of them on each lumbar level. This is how they check to see if they move after surgery.

              When this happens, inflammation becomes a problem. NSAID's or prescription anti-inflammatories help a lot. Celebrex, Diclofenac, Naproxen are examples. Ask your doctor for these. They are good to have on standby. I have a 18 year on and off history using these. When taking these meds, follow directions. Do NOT abuse NSAID's.
              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonste...lammatory_drug

              In Colombia last year, I bought Diclofenac over the counter without a prescription for $3. If you go to Peru, get some in Lima before you go up there. Find a Drogueria....It will save you in case you get into trouble. Diclofenac or Celebrex is good.

              I never travel without NSAID's

              Ed
              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

              My x-rays
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by louise_23 View Post
                Reading my notes from my MRI a few years ago it said there was degenerative change in L5/S1 with dehydration and marked loss of height - no idea what that means though. The notes say there is no obvious relation between the scan and my symptoms so it's confusing.
                Does your surgeon answer email questions?

                This response sounds to me like they are using a hyper technical correct statement to avoid what is widely known and what appears to be obviously happening to you. The degradation below your fusion could have been predicted to cause your problems and they known it. Fusion to L3 or below often starts a countdown to needing further fusion. They are trying to avoid placing you back on the surgery list in my opinion.

                I would email the following questions...

                1. Is there really any doubt that the discs below fusion have been compromised by my fusion ending in L3 and that is the reason for the symptoms?

                2. Would fusing more levels below my fusion likely stop progression of the numbness?

                3. Will fusion ASAP have a chance of reversing the present level of numbness?

                Good luck.
                Last edited by Pooka1; 02-18-2021, 02:44 PM.
                Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                No island of sanity.

                Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                Answer: Medicine


                "We are all African."

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks all.

                  I've decided I'm going to try and get another opinion and also see if I can contact my surgeon again as well. I won't give up on this! Even though it is exhausting at times.

                  Thanks for your help :-)

                  Louise
                  34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

                  Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

                  My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hey I looked at your blog. That's a very nice resource for scoliosis.

                    The other thing I want to mention and Linda can confirm or deny is that you have a time window to address these peripheral symptoms. If you wait too long, the symptoms might not be reversed. How long have you had the numbness? I get the impression you are very schooled in soldering on which is a very admiral trait except when dealing with time windows. Depending on what Linda says, I would be physically standing on some surgeon's desk asking for emergency surgery if it was likely to reverse the numbness.

                    It is not a mystery why you are having symptoms 10 years out from a fusion to L3. It is expected. You are still young, though, and they may not want to fuse a person your age to pelvis even if that is what is likely to get rid of your symptoms. Or they are rationing spine surgery. Either case, I think avoiding life-long numbness or worse should push you up in the line.

                    Good luck.
                    Last edited by Pooka1; 02-19-2021, 07:50 AM.
                    Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                    No island of sanity.

                    Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                    Answer: Medicine


                    "We are all African."

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Louise, Thinking about this some more, I agree with Sharon, a 6 level numbness is a bit high..... especially in a leg.

                      Try not to get too jumpy about this....if you do join the pelvis club at some point, it's all right. And I did do some great hikes after I was done....I was much older also.

                      Angels landing Zion National Park
                      Swiftcurrent Pass Glacier National Park
                      Iceberg Lake Glacier National Park

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pER3...el=NikhilShahi
                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22HY...ettGalv%C3%A1n


                      We did have a 32 year old member fused to the pelvis last July and she turned out great. We are all S curve patients.

                      Any reason why they did an MRI of your head? Was anything said about this?

                      Nice VLOG....I remember when you were done years ago...

                      Ed
                      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                      My x-rays
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Pooka1 View Post

                        The other thing I want to mention and Linda can confirm or deny is that you have a time window to address these peripheral symptoms. If you wait too long, the symptoms might not be reversed.
                        You'd have to check with a neurologist to be certain, but some injuries are mild enough to be temporary, and can be reversible, while others are severe and can't be reversed. From listening to patients for as long as I have, I would venture to say that at least some of those temporary injuries eventually become permanent.
                        Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                        Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by louise_23 View Post
                          Hi all,

                          Hope everyone is well

                          I had scoliosis surgery around 10 years ago now for fairly severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis when I was 24. I had a double "S" curve of around 80 degrees pre surgery, which was corrected by around 50-60%. I have largely been pleased with the results of my surgery and went on to do many amazing things post recovery. However, in the last few years I have developed numbness down my right leg, that wasn't there before. I don't have pain at all, it's just numb down my leg and into my toes. It's been that way for years now. Since developing these symptoms, I have had nerve conduction tests, blood tests and MRI scans of my head and whole spine to investigate. My original surgeon has looked at the scans, as well as a neurologist. They have said that based on the scans, they don't know the cause of this numbness, as there is nothing that would cause this showing on the scans and that I just have to live with it. It causes me great anxiety because I don't know the cause or if it will get worse and it's there all the time. I have other numb patches on my body, most of my back is numb from the surgery. I also have a numb patch on my stomach which I'm not 100% sure has always been there or not. Anyway I suppose I just wondered if anyone else had experiences like this? Part of me thinks it surely must be something to do with my back and my surgery but I just don't know.

                          Louise X
                          Louise, I'm going through a similar thing with neurological problems developing after surgery. I've posted about this before. I had fusion surgery in 2019. Nearly all of my back is fused. I had some pain and numbness on my back immediately afterward and they have seemingly spread and increased since. In fact a lot of things have developed since. An exquisite variety of pain, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, tightness, stiffness, weird sensations of all kinds, gait problems.

                          It's been a dilemma for me because several spine surgeons looked at my radiology and say there's nothing wrong with the spine, therefore it has to be neurological. Two neurologists did EMG tests and blood tests and were unimpressed with the results (too normal) and don't have a clue.

                          Like you, I am worrying that nerve damage can be permanent if left too long without being fixed. So I feel as though I have a time limit to get this solved and I feel pressured to find a cause soon.

                          I'm curious, what developed for you after several years? Just the leg numbness? Did you have the back numbness from the day you came out of surgery?
                          Last edited by Tina_R; 02-19-2021, 05:30 PM.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Pooka1 View Post
                            Hey I looked at your blog. That's a very nice resource for scoliosis.

                            The other thing I want to mention and Linda can confirm or deny is that you have a time window to address these peripheral symptoms. If you wait too long, the symptoms might not be reversed. How long have you had the numbness? I get the impression you are very schooled in soldering on which is a very admiral trait except when dealing with time windows. Depending on what Linda says, I would be physically standing on some surgeon's desk asking for emergency surgery if it was likely to reverse the numbness.

                            It is not a mystery why you are having symptoms 10 years out from a fusion to L3. It is expected. You are still young, though, and they may not want to fuse a person your age to pelvis even if that is what is likely to get rid of your symptoms. Or they are rationing spine surgery. Either case, I think avoiding life-long numbness or worse should push you up in the line.

                            Good luck.
                            Thank you very much!

                            The numbness has been there for about 3 years now, I'm kind of resigned to the fact that it's permanent. It doesn't stop me from doing anything it's just annoying as I can always feel it, especially when I have shoes on as they press on my toes and make it more uncomfortable. I'm in the process of getting a second opinion via my work's health insurance, so will keep you updated. I saw a neurologist and he told me it was likely due to an injury, which I'm not sure about as I don't remember being injured.... It's stressful to be honest.
                            34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

                            Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

                            My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                              Louise, Thinking about this some more, I agree with Sharon, a 6 level numbness is a bit high..... especially in a leg.

                              Try not to get too jumpy about this....if you do join the pelvis club at some point, it's all right. And I did do some great hikes after I was done....I was much older also.

                              Angels landing Zion National Park
                              Swiftcurrent Pass Glacier National Park
                              Iceberg Lake Glacier National Park

                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pER3...el=NikhilShahi
                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22HY...ettGalv%C3%A1n


                              We did have a 32 year old member fused to the pelvis last July and she turned out great. We are all S curve patients.

                              Any reason why they did an MRI of your head? Was anything said about this?

                              Nice VLOG....I remember when you were done years ago...

                              Ed
                              Thanks Ed. I think they were checking for things like MS. This all came back normal though.
                              I did think having scoliosis surgery would mean I would possibly require surgery later in life to extend the fusion, although I didnt think it would be needed so soon. If this is the case, I only had about 6 years with no issues which seems quite short. Is it common to happen so soon? I wonder if it's my own fault for doing things like running after I had recovered, but I was told that I could do "anything" once recovered so thought I'd be ok. I'm blaming myself to be honest.
                              34 Years old from Cheshire, UK.

                              Scoliosis correction surgery and costoplasty on a double 85degree curve 29th July 2010. Fused T3 - L3

                              My blog: https://lifewithscoliosis.com/

                              Comment

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