I had a spinal fusion at level L4/L5 and L5/S1 back in Nov. 2003. Since then I have had PT and rehab, but still in great amount of pain. Now it is effecting my legs and feet. Hardly able to stand without pain in my ankles. I have seen a foot doctor and says it is coming from my back and my back doctor tells me it's not. What can I do. if it gets much worse I will not be able to walk at all. And that is not all that has happened since my surgery. My nights sleeping are so bad with the pain radiating down my back into my buttocks and down my left leg. Plus I have had to see a bladder doctor and that has come to the point the nerve that runs up my back that controls my bladder control functions are being effected by all the pinching in my back. Can anyone help me? I am at my last wits with all this. I am so tried of doctors that can't help. Here goes another doctor, Pain managment. My husband is so mad that no one can help. I am living on two types of pain medication now. What a life.

Is the only doctor that you are seeing for your back the one that did your surgery? If so I would definetely get another opinion. If he did something wrong, chances are he won't admit it and blame it on something else. You could also be 'allergic' to the hardware or it could be infected or something. It is very possible that this could have happened and the fact that your spine doctor isn't even concerned it rediculous. I would definetely find a doctor who will listen to you and I wouldn't take no for an answer. It is unfortunate that you have to search for someone when your in pain but sometimes it's the only answer. There are reasons why people get their hardware removed. Has your spine doctor even done any test to determine it's not an infection or done any x-rays to see if the hardware is in place?
I wish you luck and hang in there!

Christina

You need to make an appointment and see a spine specialist other than the one who did your surgery. Obviously, he is one of those who do not like to admit that he didn't "fix" you.
I don't like the sound of the bladder being involved--this can be a symptom of cauda equina syndrome, something that needs treatment sooner rather than later. Please don't delay. If you should lose control of your bladder or bowels, go to the emergency room....another thing to watch for is numbness of the "saddle area" that is the area that would touch a saddle if you were sitting astride a horse.
Cauda equina is extremely serious. Please call and get in to see someone as soon as possible. Hopefully, this is NOT what is going on, but I would rather urge you to see someone, and be wrong, then to not urge you and be wrong.

Carol

I was seeing my surgeon up till last month when he told me his job is done, and if there is anymore problems to come back. Other then that I see a foot doctor, my bladder doctor, and a neurologist. Monday I am see a pain management doctor. I have exhausted all the doctors in my area. I am looking outside the area now. It was hard to find someone (2Years) to fix my back now it seems like it isn't fixed. They did x-rays every time I went to the surgeon for my checkups. it didn't so anything. Back in Feb. this year they took out the EBI (bonegraft stimilator). That was a nightmare in a half. I am only 40 years old and I feel like my life has gone down the drain and I can't make it out. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. It is nice to talk with others that are going through the similiar problems.