Is numbness of the skin and burning of the back and spine normal after receiving spinal anesthesia? I had the procedure three months ago.
The simple answer is NO, it is not.Without more detailed information of what and where your symptoms are, and what exactly was performed (epidural catheter or intrathecal injection) and at what level was the injection, it is difficult to to make an accurate assessment.Did you feel an electrical-like “zing” in your back during the injection, and not related to the burning numbing “bee sting”What you are describing is anesthesia, parasthesia and possible “RSD”-like pain reaction, possibly along a dermatomal distribution in the back. If I am correct, the current diagnosis name is CRPS - Type 2.Depending upon the location, this could be related to either a L1 through L4 dermatome, caused by minor injury to the L1–2, L2–3, or L3–4 nerve root, especially if just impacting one side.It may be mediated by the sympathetic chain (somewhat complicated to explain), and the best thing to do is to discuss with your Surgeon or the hospital to get connected with the Anesthesia provider or group who took care of you.They or someone should refer you to a Pain Specialist who can best determine the issue and explore possible treatments, which may be as simple as a trial of NSAIDs, perhaps a nerve medicine such as Lyrica, but probably both of those and a steroid injection in the correct area of the spine will be recommended, and if so it should be accepted as it may be the best chance to both diagnose and treat.In general something like this may resolve with time, but after 3 months it is time to get evaluated, actually after one month it should have been addressed.Before blame or the questions of malpractice or negligence is stumbled upon, I can comment with confidence that it is extremely unlikely that the anesthesia provider did anything wrong. For what I am suspecting it is is a rare complication of a having a spinal anesthetic, and is just a result of an unavoidable event, essentially just bad luck.I guarantee the Anesthesia provider that took care of you will be very much affected by this, as I would be, especially if it is not easily resolved, which is a possibility as it may take up to a year or so to fully resolve.At this point, focus on getting it evaluated, diagnosed, and treated.I would be very interested to hear the follow-up.Best of luck.
What causes a burning sensation in a muscle?
I have hurt a muscle, the pain has gone from extreme throbbing pain to a burning and throbbing pain. I'll give you some history and then how I hurt myself. In June 2009 I woke up in extreme pain and couldn't bend or really use my right leg, to make a lengthy story shorter, I had 2 severely herniated discs, one that had been that way for years, I had a spinal lumbar fusion in November of 2009, I have 2 bone grafts, 2 metal cages and 6 screws in my lower back. I know what back pain, recovering muscles and muscle spasms feel like, I also know how to treat all of the above. On Saturday I went to the MD Renaissance festival, I spent a good 8 hours there, I had to use my cane after about 4 hours because my back muscles were hurting and it was making my right leg hurt. When I got home I hurt, but it wasn't anything I haven't dealt with in the past 10 months of recovery. By Monday morning my soreness in my back was gone and it was replaced by am extreme burning, throbbing pain in my right buttocks/hip area, it really burns when I have to move my right leg. I've never felt a pain like this in this area. Is it more then a muscle pull? I have an ortho appointment on Sep 20, it's not for this problem, it's just a 6 month post surgery follow up, but if it still hurts this bad then I'll tell him. I have muscle relaxers, but I'm out of pain killers and have no way of getting anymore of the good stuff. Anyone have any idea what's wrong? Please don't tell me some stretching exercise because my back doesn't move like that anymore, and please no websites that are trying to get me to buy some herbal crap.
Is there any other procedure or surgery besides Spinal Fusion to get rid of my pain?
I will make a long story short, but basically I have had 6 lumbar epidural injections (1 was a transforaminal injection) over the last 2 years. I had no relief from any of them. Also Physical Therapy has not done anything to help either. My most recent MRI states Degenerative Disc Disease at L5-S1, Herniated L5-S1 with encroachment on neural foramen and degenerative loss of signal intensity at L5-S1. I am in pain all day every day with pain in my left leg and starting to go into my right leg. Some numbness in toes sometimes and left knee gives out when walking. My Dr told me last week he thinks I need a fusion but it would be up to the surgeon. I will go next week to find out if he is for sure sending me to see a surgeon. I do not want surgery because I have a 3 year old, but being in pain every single day is starting to take its toll on me. I used to be a runner, and now I cannot run at all. At this point I do not know what to do. I cannot live in pain every day for years to come, but I also am terrified of having a surgery that will make it even worse.. Please help! Any advice/story of your surgery, etc. would be greatly appreciated!!
Scoliosis or heavy breast causing back pain?
Probably both. I too have scoliosis, but yours seems more severe than mine since I have never had any back surgery. I see a chiropractor and having adjustments helps my back a lot, so perhaps you should try something like this before considering surgery. My back pain is primarily in my lower back, but your spine may be causing you problems elsewhere. Basically there are a lot of things that can cause back pain, it is best to see a specialist like a chiropractor or general practitioner and get their opinion. Good luck and I hope you feel better, back pain is hard to deal with!
Why is my left thigh burning?
I have been diagnosed with and am being treated for meralgia paresthetica. This is caused by inflammation and compression of the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve, which is in the upper thigh. Your symptoms sound similar to mine, but a doctor will have to evaluate you to be sure. This is not caused by trauma or injury to the thigh, but rather from compression of the nerve mentioned above. I am also recovering from spinal fusion surgery and am in physical therapy for both conditions. I have received a femoral nerve block (Dec 23rd) where a local anesthetic and steroid was injected to reduce inflammation. I have gotten partial relief so far. If the pain is severe, medications such as Neurontin or Lyrica may be prescribed to help reduce the burning. Pain killers will not relieve nerve pain, which is a burning sensation. NSAID (non steriod anti inflammatory drugs) drugs such as ibuprofin, or Alleve could help with the inflammed tissue that could be causing the nerve compression though. Burning pain, numbness, and tingling are a result of of nerve compression. If your burning persists, and to get relief, you will need to make an appointment with you doctor. Signs and symptoms of meralgia paresthetica include burning, numbness, or tingling in the upper outer portion of the thigh, and the problem area will often be sensitive to the touch. You may have an ache in the hip area. I have had all of the above symptoms which started after my back surgery. I also take Neurontin. There is an over the counter topical medication called Neuragen that will help with nerve pain. This has given me temporary relief from the burning when it gets too intense to bear. You can find this at any major pharmacy, but it is is a good idea to get this evaluated by a doctor if these symptoms persist. I am already seeing a neurosurgeon because of the back surgery, and a pain management clinic performed the injection. Unless you can go to a specialist without a referral, I would start by going to your family doctor, who will refer to the appropriate specialist. Hope you feel better.