[rose13437]

I have been suffering from neuropathy in both feet for about 6 years along with back/hip pain. I've had several MRIs that confirmed DDD but the doctors said the neuropathy in my feet was unrelated. But then about a year ago spondylolisthesis was found at the L4/5 level, grade one but mobile...goes from 3 to 6mm depending on movement. My doctor said I am a candidate for surgery but is still confused as to why I do not have sciatica that runs down my leg. the pain goes from the back/hip, skips my leg, and then surfaces again in my feet.
Do any of you suffer from spondylolisthesis w/o sciatica but have neuropathy pain in your feet?
I'm just trying to figure out if surgery is the right thing to do to get rid of this!
Luckily the neuropathy is not constant...I go through flare-ups but when it does happen, it can last for months making my life miserable. it seems as if I over exert myself it will bring on a flare up. sound familiar???

[caroline2]

Hi and welcome. I've lived and dealt with spondy for about 30 yrs...Never Surgery.

I do have sciatic nerve damage from hysterectomy about 30 yrs ago also...don't know if these are connected. I believe I developed spondy before the sciatic issue.

There is a LOT of good information on the Neuropathy group here. I deal with nerve damage from hip replacement in 2010. Bodywide OA going on 60 yrs. I have no desire to do any back surgery. I have posted a lot in the arthritis group here also.

[Lara]

Hello and welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Here is the link to the

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

You could also post on the

Peripheral Neuropathy Forum

There is also a

Forum Search Feature

where you can use specific keywords and then find past posts or threads across all forums.

I'm sure you'll find information and support.
Take care.

[Littlepaw]

Hello and Welcome Rose,

You have found a great place for sharing and support. I am sorry for what you are going through. Nerve symptoms are no fun. For what it is worth my mother in law had a similar issue to yours and had compression with symptoms only in her feet. So I know it has happened at least once.

Overdoing it seems to flare up quite few things. I think that if movement contributes to your narrowing you will definitely have to be mindful of what and how you are doing things. I have compression and bone spurs at c4, c5 and if I do certain things it will really get aggravated but I have found over time what things to avoid to minimize symptoms. Dropping a couple of activities that aggravated the situation made a huge difference for me but sometimes surgery is necessary to protect the nerve. And sometimes MRI doesn't show quite everything going on in there. Listen to your body and symptoms and take care of yourself. You will know what you need to do.

I hope you find relief and healing soon,

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[caroline2]

Over many years of dealing with this spondy, I've learned exercises from a D.O. and a chiro. Here is a good start. There are other sites with exercises.

http://www.losethebackpain.com/blog/...sis-exercises/

[rose13437]

Originally Posted by caroline2

Hi and welcome. I've lived and dealt with spondy for about 30 yrs...Never Surgery.

I do have sciatic nerve damage from hysterectomy about 30 yrs ago also...don't know if these are connected. I believe I developed spondy before the sciatic issue.

There is a LOT of good information on the Neuropathy group here. I deal with nerve damage from hip replacement in 2010. Bodywide OA going on 60 yrs. I have no desire to do any back surgery. I have posted a lot in the arthritis group here also.

thank you for the reply. Im lucky that I live in a big city that has some of the best spine surgeons in the nation. I've gone to Rush and U of Chicago and both surgeons agreed that I am a candidate for L4 MIS TLIF. I personally love my doctor at U of C and he is by no means pushing me into surgery but wants me to understand that it is an option. The procedure they do now is tissue sparing and much, much easier on the spine than the old open back procedures that was associated with several morbidities. I just turned 57 years of age and want to work another 5
years before retiring. My occupation is in an exercise related field and I am not ready to throw in the towel yet or become a drug addict trying to deal with the pain associated with my disease. If my spondy was stable they would not recommend surgery for me but since mine is not...that is why they think it should be done.
Thank you again for your reply!

[rose13437]

Originally Posted by Littlepaw

Hello and Welcome Rose,

You have found a great place for sharing and support. I am sorry for what you are going through. Nerve symptoms are no fun. For what it is worth my mother in law had a similar issue to yours and had compression with symptoms only in her feet. So I know it has happened at least once.

Overdoing it seems to flare up quite few things. I think that if movement contributes to your narrowing you will definitely have to be mindful of what and how you are doing things. I have compression and bone spurs at c4, c5 and if I do certain things it will really get aggravated but I have found over time what things to avoid to minimize symptoms. Dropping a couple of activities that aggravated the situation made a huge difference for me but sometimes surgery is necessary to protect the nerve. And sometimes MRI doesn't show quite everything going on in there. Listen to your body and symptoms and take care of yourself. You will know what you need to do.

I hope you find relief and healing soon,

thank you! so it has happened before...that is what I needed to hear. I love this site and it is a comfort knowing I'm not alone. I see my doctor in Chicago this May and must decide if I am doing this. They want to do MIS which they have a lot of expierence and very good results with. I'm 57 and in an exercise science field...if i want to continue...this is something I might have to do.
It is such a comfort to have the support here because when you try to talk with people that do not suffer from this, they just don't understand.
thanks again!