Annular tear at L4/L5 symptoms

**Mirx** · 01-07-2011, 05:21 PM

Hello everyone,

I have been suffering from pain in the right buttock and down the right leg (only above knee NOT in the foot) for over a year. I also had an episode of a partial right foot drop and muscle weakness 6 months ago that resolved itself within 25 days.

MRI showed extensive annular tear at the L4/L5 and I have been offered an option of the ADR at that level. However, I am concerned that it may not address the pain that seems to correspond more to the L5/S1 level which, as mentioned earlier, seems to be alright - no bulge, tear or nerve compression.

Has anybody experienced pain in the buttock and down the back of the leg as a result of L4/L5 annular tear?

Many thanks

**Justin** · 01-07-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mirx

Hello everyone,

I have been suffering from pain in the right buttock and down the right leg (only above knee NOT in the foot) for over a year. I also had an episode of a partial right foot drop and muscle weakness 6 months ago that resolved itself within 25 days.

MRI showed extensive annular tear at the L4/L5 and I have been offered an option of the ADR at that level. However, I am concerned that it may not address the pain that seems to correspond more to the L5/S1 level which, as mentioned earlier, seems to be alright - no bulge, tear or nerve compression.

Has anybody experienced pain in the buttock and down the back of the leg as a result of L4/L5 annular tear?

Many thanks

Hey Mirx,

Sorry for the ongoing pain and suffering. That's no fun.

Have you had discography performed? This will help determine which levels are, in fact, your pain generators. If you have not had one performed, it might be something to look into.

Here's a link to an eMedicine article on Discography: Discography. (It may require a free sign-in to read).

Good luck and keep us posted.

**bigdogchief76** · 01-07-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mirx

Hello everyone,

Has anybody experienced pain in the buttock and down the back of the leg as a result of L4/L5 annular tear?

Many thanks

Hello Mirx -

Concur with Justin on the Discography. This procedure has the potential to show if the disc in the L5-S1 area is also a culprit in regards to the pain.

I have a grade 5 level annular tear in my disc in the L5-S1 area, and yes, you can have pain that is similar to sciatica pain, simply from the inflammation of the nerve endings within the disc. When you have IDD, the majority of back doctors believe that the annual tears can produce pain that is eerily similar to sciatica pain (sometimes even worse). I have pain that is in both butt cheeks, and pain that is severe that can actually go between the left and right legs. It mostly stays in the thigh area, however, there are many days that the pain is shooting up and down the right leg, all the way to my toes. Is the pain on a regular basis, or does it go away when you lie down? Does the pain increase when you sit for too long?

From your mention of foot drop I would not be surprised if you have some sort of large bulge compressing on the nerves as well.

Does your report mention anything about a bulge or herniation at the L4-L5 area?

**Mirx** · 01-08-2011, 07:46 AM

Hey guys, thank you both for your responses!

Justin, hope your SI injections are working well and are pain free again. Looking forward to seeing those two magical words back in your signature.

Yeah, discogram is the way forward, I will certainly discuss this with my surgeon during my next cons. Thanks for the link.

Matt, you are definitely asking the right questions

:

- Yes, the L4/L5 level is coniderably bulged but not herniated;
- Pain I experience in the buttock and down the back of the leg is mild but constant. However, as soon as I flex (e.g. put shoes or socks on) a sharp pain will hit me. As soon as I lay down the pain is completely gone. It gets worse after physical activity e.g. walking, swimming. Sitting is alright as long as I 'lock' my self in a comfortable position and do not move much. Otherwise, it hurts quite a bit afterwards. It has been like this for just over a year.

Sorry to hear you are struggling with IDD too in your L5/S1.

I am hoping to give myself 18- 24 months of conservative treatment before considering surgery. What is your 'strategy'? Are you too waiting hoping for improvement? How long have you had the symptoms? Getting better or worse?

**bigdogchief76** · 02-11-2011, 12:13 AM

Hello Mirx -

Any updates to your situation?

MB

**Mirx** · 02-11-2011, 11:46 AM

Hi Matt,

Well, I am pleased to report that I have been VERY gradually getting better over the last 3 months. It has now been just over 13 months since the onset of symptoms and the pain is at a very tolerable 1-3 out of 10. In fact, the buttock pain is pretty much completely gone and it's just the 'down the back of thigh' left.

So, at the moment it make sense to give it more time until it hopefully fully resolves.

How are you doing?

**Cindylou** · 02-21-2011, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Mirx

Hi Matt,

Well, I am pleased to report that I have been VERY gradually getting better over the last 3 months. It has now been just over 13 months since the onset of symptoms and the pain is at a very tolerable 1-3 out of 10. In fact, the buttock pain is pretty much completely gone and it's just the 'down the back of thigh' left.

So, at the moment it make sense to give it more time until it hopefully fully resolves.

How are you doing?

Excellent news Mirx.

Conservative therapy coupled with waiting always make good sense and I am so happy to hear they are working as well! I hope this condition fully resolves itself for you and my best to you.

Cindylou

**ajj1001** · 02-21-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mirx

Hi Matt,

Well, I am pleased to report that I have been VERY gradually getting better over the last 3 months. It has now been just over 13 months since the onset of symptoms and the pain is at a very tolerable 1-3 out of 10. In fact, the buttock pain is pretty much completely gone and it's just the 'down the back of thigh' left.

So, at the moment it make sense to give it more time until it hopefully fully resolves.

Thats really good news, hope it all resolves itself with a bit more time.

**Mirx** · 02-21-2011, 02:51 PM

Cindylou, Alison thank you both for well wishes.

So far, conservative care seems to have worked. I am glad I have given it a try despite having much doubt whether waiting was going to be of any benefit at all. What made me delay the surgery was learning through my internet research about the nature of Annular Tears (IDD) in all their degrees as well as a number of recommendations suggesting conservative care for at least 18 months in such cases, of course, only if the pain is tolerable.

I made sure I was walking approximatelly 30 minutes of day (every day) + core exercises (15 minutes morning and evening) during the last 13 months and drinking between 6-8 pints of water a day for the last 3 months, or so. Did this help? Well, no idea, but I'm sure it did not harm.

Again, I am cautiously happy with my slow progress so far and hope to heal even further!

All the best,
Mirx

**Cindylou** · 02-22-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mirx

Cindylou, Alison thank you both for well wishes.

So far, conservative care seems to have worked. I am glad I have given it a try despite having much doubt whether waiting was going to be of any benefit at all. What made me delay the surgery was learning through my internet research about the nature of Annular Tears (IDD) in all their degrees as well as a number of recommendations suggesting conservative care for at least 18 months in such cases, of course, only if the pain is tolerable.

I made sure I was walking approximatelly 30 minutes of day (every day) + core exercises (15 minutes morning and evening) during the last 13 months and drinking between 6-8 pints of water a day for the last 3 months, or so. Did this help? Well, no idea, but I'm sure it did not harm.

Again, I am cautiously happy with my slow progress so far and hope to heal even further!

All the best,
Mirx

Mirx, I am so glad you posted this. It is so important for the thousands of visitors and members who come to our site every minute of every day. I absolutely believe your conservative therapies helped, and you are a prime example of being patient, taking the time, and let's not forget, actually doing your exercises daily. Big kudos to you! I believe you are on an excellent road to wellness! Please pop in if you would, down the road, and share more about your continued recovery. We need your stories!

Take care, Cindylou