Question for those with L4 to S1 Disc Herniation/Sciatica

[T&H]

Ok so, going to sum up my issues and pose my question.

Years ago, had pain only in the butt around the sciatic nerve and went to get deep tissue ART which really helped. After a month of going, the pain in the butt went away and I developed pain along the entire sciatic nerve ending at my big toe. The toe was partially numb and the pain was in my calf. After months of up and down pain, went to get MRI of lumber spine.

Minor l3 and l4, major l4 and l5, and major L5 to S1 herniations with S1 being worse than the L4/L5. Its bilateral with more to my right side. My doctor recommended a medrol steroid pack, cortisone Injections, and core work. The pain gradually went away after a year, but came back for 4 months after working on my car in a bad position for my back. It finally went back away completely, tho my toe is still partially numb.

So i thought my back issues were gone. I tried getting on my knees at work months ago, and now I have burning pain on the outer edge of my kneecap but a little further down, worse on my right side. Plus if I press on a spot on my inner knee, I experience the same excruciating nerve pain only on a small area on my outer knee, about where the illotibial band ends.

My orthopedic doctor is saying that is from my back, and is recommending injections for it. He's not wanting to give me a referral for a second opinion. It appears I might have something called sciatica of the knee. Has anyone here ever had this specific lower outer knee pain and if so, did anything help?

 

[Joe Morgan]

nerve pain is a bitch. I feel for you.

I had some back issues but no nerve pain around my knee. hopefully injections will help but that’s just temporary. sometimes injections won’t work at all. I see you having a spinal fusion surgery in the future. The most important thing is to find a good doctor. one that is obsessed with his work and spines.
best of luck

 

[RHEIERD]

http://www.vertebrologi.ru/biblio/books/Low_Back_Disorders.pdf

Read Low Back Disorders - Stuart McGill pdf above link.

It's the bible of low back pain if you have time.

Nerve issues are tough to solve.

Test and low volume Deca. Anti-Inflammatory every four hours, don't ever twist your back under load, always bend at the hips, drop weight from upper body, and dump deadlifts, squats and leg presses. Focus on never letting the back get into a forward C shape, try instead to keep the S shape.

Sitting is your worst enemy, get a standing desk with a topo ergonomic floor mat and add desk converter to elevate height of screen to eye level.

I've dealt with herniated and pinched nerve problems that radiated down both sides of my legs, on my right side clear to my metatarsal. Had to completely rethink how I do everything, focus on how my back is positioned doing even basic things.

All started with a loud pop to my lower back, hit the ground in extreme pain and weeks of feeling like my spine had been snapped.

 

[Whopperflopper]

Shots work for short time. Seeing your post made me pull my MRI report out.
Lots of bulges, loss of disc height,and hydration. Basically 13 total herniation, some scoliosis, cord deformity and chronic anterior wedge compressions and stenosis.
Did my whole back from c to s. Sciatica runs from my but alongside my thigh as a burning pain. Was recommended fusion in the worst spot t5 t6. I've put that off, for now. Posture is key. Now I'm going to study this again and look some things up. It's been manageable, lyrica helped.

 

[RHEIERD]

I personally think a combination of drugs and rest is required for nerve injuries, you have to be careful with these rehab exercises as it can often make it worse.

For me it was upping my dose of Test and Deca, and taking the anti inflammatories every 4 hrs for weeks. AAS is fantastic for healing injuries, especially in those of us that are older. Cutting out AI and DHT derivative use to allow a little more fluid into those discs is a good idea. Matter of fact I feel better all over my body when I get that puffy water retention look, much less aches and pains.

The dread is that once it heals it can go back out with just the slightest wrong movement. So you pretty much have to proactive at all times and use your head, you can't be sloppy with a bad back.

 

[KingCahoot3627]

The knee symptom stands out to me. Do a few PT sessions to rule out IT band syndrome. There's a chance u feel better in 3 or 4 visits.

 

[Uglyrichie]

Don't get the shot. There are 3 types and the one they will give you is like a shotgun blast where they hope the steroid gets where it's needed. Next is closer the third is right on the nerve. I've had like 15 of them couldn't feel my leg for about 2 years

 

[T&H]

Thanks guys. Well, I talked to a neurologist who did a nerve study on my arms last week. He doesn't think it is sciatica nerve related at all. He wants me to get a MRI of my knee.

Looks like if I press on my saphenous nerve, I feel pain in my peroneal nerve at the knee. Very bizarre issue but he feels like it definitely isn't coming from my back. I will be making another appointment with a different doctor.

 

[Uglyrichie]

Best of luck man hope you get it sorted out fast. Being in pain sucks