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L5 - S1; Symptoms?
Topic Started: 10 Mar 2014, 10:26 PM (494 Views)
VANDANGO999
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi All,
Well things for me, a little over 3 years post op on L4-L5 have been pretty good. Over the last twelve weeks however I've had some hamstring tension with a feeling of increased sciatic activity but no lightening pain just the occasional 'muscle grabs'. I have to admit I have been walking further and more often than usual lately.
The back of my left leg seems 'irritated' when I sit but my SI joints, groin, piriformis and glutes all feel good.
Now I'm hoping this is just a muscular/hamstring problem, but I've been here before and I'm extremely wary of even mild sciatica, hamstring tension and it's causes.
My concern is my L5-S1. Generally speaking, those who have had problems with this disc, which area does this mainly affect symptomatically? At the moment the 'heightened muscle state' is confined to my left hamstring and nothing of note lower than the upper back of my knee.
I'm off to Runcorn for my yearly MOT and xray next month so I will certainly mention it but I'd like some input from fellow sufferers.
Thanks in advance

Carlo
Spine problems since I can remember.
Fobbed off for over 10 years by physios as muscular

Jan 2009 Finally got MRI scan
August 2009 Got within sniffing distance of ADR with Mr Papastefanou who left for pastures new.
Managed to get transferred to Mr Shackleford
November 2010 ADR done on disc l4-l5
Got a new lease of life thanks to Mr Shackleford.

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Alastair
Member Avatar
Alastair
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Are you doing daily stretching exercises, those would help?
Best,
Alastair :D
Founder of this board 24th February 2007
Slow and Steady Wins This Race
Over 23 Years experience and research into spine surgery and over 2500 surgeries discussed and recorded

ADR L5/S1 Surgery with Dr Zeegers 26th July 2002 in Munich
8 facet joint ablations 28 – 8 – 12 with Dr Baranidharan and Jake Timothy in Leeds Diagnosed Forestiers disease
Your Best Asset Is Your Health
I live in West Yorkshire aged 81 now

Knowledge is power
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VANDANGO999
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi Alastair
As you are aware a muscle that is pulled or injured shouldn't be stretched until it's healed or further damage can occur. The muscle basically says 'no more' and tightens up further. Hamstring stretch on hold at the moment fella.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Regards
Carlo

Spine problems since I can remember.
Fobbed off for over 10 years by physios as muscular

Jan 2009 Finally got MRI scan
August 2009 Got within sniffing distance of ADR with Mr Papastefanou who left for pastures new.
Managed to get transferred to Mr Shackleford
November 2010 ADR done on disc l4-l5
Got a new lease of life thanks to Mr Shackleford.

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naintaid
Advanced Member
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
hi,its outside of leg and into ankles and little toes.mine was so badly damaged ive lost ankle reflex and feeling underfoot.
very bad leg pain down the side and back also.
discetomy feb 2005
discetomy june 2005
mri 3 of
cat scan
facet joint injections .aug 2007
adr active l disc 2 level .l4l5 and l5 s1 .sept 2010.
2 blood transfusion after adr surgery
feeling more positive.

4 years post op and everything is fine,really pleased with outcome.
go back every 2 years for check up and x ray.
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VANDANGO999
Member
[ *  * ]
Thanks for that naintaid.
Sorry that your recovery has been so restricted due to the damage. I really appreciate the feedback it has given me a more positive frame of mind as my current symptoms don't seem to reflect the symptoms you describe so hopefully it is a muscular issue and will settle in due course.
Regards
Carlo
Spine problems since I can remember.
Fobbed off for over 10 years by physios as muscular

Jan 2009 Finally got MRI scan
August 2009 Got within sniffing distance of ADR with Mr Papastefanou who left for pastures new.
Managed to get transferred to Mr Shackleford
November 2010 ADR done on disc l4-l5
Got a new lease of life thanks to Mr Shackleford.

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naintaid
Advanced Member
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
hi but to clarify I am fully healed,it didn't impair my recovery at all just funny when drs do the test repeatedly as they get no response lol.
it took about 18 months post op for everything to click and im nealy 3 half years done and feel fab,
best wishes
discetomy feb 2005
discetomy june 2005
mri 3 of
cat scan
facet joint injections .aug 2007
adr active l disc 2 level .l4l5 and l5 s1 .sept 2010.
2 blood transfusion after adr surgery
feeling more positive.

4 years post op and everything is fine,really pleased with outcome.
go back every 2 years for check up and x ray.
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mandid
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi Carlo,

I am new to the board, wondering how your follow up went in April and if the muscle pain resolved. I am waiting for two level disc replacement with Mr Shackleford next year he told me in March it will be a years wait. I am also having L4 & L5 replaced, one thing I forgot to ask him is what actual discs does he use would you know what he used on you? Hope you are doing ok and still feeling better than before the opp. Best wishes
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ajj1001
Advanced Member
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
mandid,Aug 13 2014
09:32 AM
Hi Carlo,

I am new to the board, wondering how your follow up went in April and if the muscle pain resolved. I am waiting for two level disc replacement with Mr Shackleford next year he told me in March it will be a years wait. I am also having L4 & L5 replaced, one thing I forgot to ask him is what actual discs does he use would you know what he used on you? Hope you are doing ok and still feeling better than before the opp. Best wishes

Might be worth sending a PM or e-mail with your questions as some people don't come on the board very often.

Hope you wait goes quickly and as pain free as possible. Keep active, it'll help with your recovery.
Std Meds Gabapentin, MR Tramadol, Paracetemol, Laxatives
2011 Sept PLIF L4 - S1
2010 May Discogram L2/L3 & L3/L4 both looking ok.
2009 May PLG Fusion L5/S1 Charite in situ
April Dismissed
2008 Caudal Epidural failed to work
2007 Deterioration L5/S1 Facet arthritis, Loss of disc height.
2004 Returned to Work
2002 Aug - physio
March 2 level ADR Charite L4/5, L5/S1
2000 Broadbased disc prolapses L4/5, L5/S1
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Joannelloyd19
Jo19
[ *  *  * ]
Hi Mandid
Mr Shackleford did my L5/S1 disc replacement almost 2 years ago (Dec 2012). He used Activ L disc replacements. I have had an excellent outcome from this, hope this helps,
Joanne
2009 Foraminal Epidural Steroid Injections commenced
2010-present Caudal Epidural and Facet Block Injections (several)
06/12/12 Activ Lumbar Disc Replacement L5/S1 by Mr Shackleford At Warrington Hospital.
31/3/15 - C5/6 ACDF operation - not fused
L1/2 disc herniation and C5/6 fusion caused by a fall in June 2014
Bowel and bladder incontinence (waiting to hear if it is nerve damage) and long term depression due to constant pain and disc trouble at the top, middle and bottom of spine.
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cindy2015
Unregistered

Hello. I have a small tear in L5/S1, I get a lot of pain, but am trying exercise for this as I have worse pain in my cervical spine. I have found yoga to be the biggest help with what I call bottom pain/sciatic nerve pain. The stretching and keeping supple has helped, also walking as much as possible, before I started these exercises I was in far greater pain. I think I damaged this disc in 1997, but only stared to feel problems from 2002. I am trying hard to keep it in check without surgery for the time being...although do feel like I am sitting on broken glass occasionally.
Another great relief is having massage, my husband massages my bottom and this gives great pain relief...he doesn't mind doing this for me either. Teehee
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