Lumbar Radiculopathy After Spine Fusion
Find out more about lumbar radiculopathy after spine fusion and how Torrance Pain Institute can help you manage your pain, improve your quality of life, and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
What is lumbar radiculopathy?
Lumbar radiculopathy also known as sciatica occurs when the spinal nerve root is compressed. This causes pain, numbness, or weakness from the lower back down to the hips, buttocks, and legs. In some cases, lumbar radiculopathy is a side effect of spine fusion. Patients experience intolerable pain and functional disability after surgery. Medications may be effective to some degree, but many patients continue to experience intense pain that may be relieved by caudal canal injections.
What are the symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy?
Inflammation occurs when a nerve root is compressed which results in the following symptoms:
- Sharp pain in the back, legs, hips, and buttocks that may worsen with certain movements that can be as simple as coughing or sneezing
- Weakness or loss of reflexes in the legs
- Numbness of the skin or abnormal sensations in the legs
What is the treatment for lumbar radiculopathy after spine fusion?
If your pain persists even after taking pain medications, a caudal canal injection may be prescribed by your doctor. During a caudal canal injection, a mixture of anesthetic and steroid is injected into the affected area using ultrasound guidance. It may take a week for the injection to take effect. To learn more about caudal canal injection in Torrance, call Torrance Pain Institute at (310) 954-1513 or schedule a consultation with our pain management doctor.