“Dealing with knife like shooting/stabbing pain in both legs along with numbness in both feet?”
Unfortunately, I've been through hell and back. I have Degenerative Disc Disease combined with Ankylosing Spondylolysis has paid its toll on my body. I am solidly fused from S-1 through T-10. Unfortunately, my hips took the brunt of this over the years. In October of 2003, I underwent my sixth and final back surgery. Fourteen years later, in 2017, I underwent total hip replacement surgery on both hips. From August 2018 thru March 2019, I experienced four additional surgeries to overcome a bilateral hip infection. Is there anything that can be done to help alleviate this foot numbness and toe pain? Or am I living with this for the remainder of my life? I'm only 58 years old!
Male | 58 years old
Complaint duration: Past 2 years
Medications: Intrathecal Pain Pump w/Dilaudid, Bupivacaine & Clonidine
Conditions: Spinal Pain
1 Answer
Hello and thanks for sharing your bodily issue with the FATD community. I offer you my thoughts, tips, and suggestions regarding your problem. It seems as if you have had several challenges with the lower back condition and surgeries you have had. I am sure the numbness and pain in the legs and toes are tough to deal with. How long has it been like this? Is this a recent onset, or has this been ongoing for a long time? Is the severity and duration of the pain getting worse? My thoughts revolve around a good neurological examination and an orthopedic evaluation as well. If both legs/feet are affected equally, then I feel it is a nerve problem that arises somewhere in the back. If the nerves are being stimulated somewhere specific (like the lower back, at one or two specific levels), it would be great to know where that is. Once there is an understanding as to where along with your nervous system the nerves are being stimulated, then you can treat with a pain management doctor. There are many new procedures and techniques available that a competent and knowledgeable pain management specialist can offer. I hope this helps.
