The Doc Visit

Well, I am beginning to get the answer from the doc that I wanted to get. I think.

Let me explain. As he poured over the CT scan film, he was not finding anything that indicated a pinched nerve to him. However, at that time he was looking to see if any of the screws he put in my back were encroaching on any nerves. All were in place where they should be. Finally, he noticed that the opening through which the nerve passes at L5 was much smaller than it should be (at least smaller than its neighbor). He believes that this diminished passage is likely the culprit. It would fit with my original diagnosis of spondylolisthesis - where the L5 vertebra had moved out of place, constricting the nerve passage.

He is ordering a specific nerve block on the nerve in that area. It will be similar to the epidural back injections that I have had a couple of times. They will put me out and perform an injection that will both bathe the nerve in steroids, as well as deaden it temporarily. If we have zeroed in on the correct area, the pain in my foot should go away very quickly and will likely return after all the drugs wear off. If the pain changes like that, he will know that we have found the problem. He wants me to log about all my pain for an 8 hour period after the injection so he will have an accurate picture of the results. If we find the pinched nerve through the nerve block, then he will schedule a procedure to go in and trim the bone around the nerve and free it up for normal (pain free) function!

I will now have to wait on the pre-certification department to do their thing with insurance, then await the phone call from the injection place to schedule my nerve block. Hopefully, I will hear from them during the first part of next week. I went ahead and scheduled a follow up with my back doc for 8/31 so I won't have to wait a long time after the nerve block to see him.

Thanks so much for the incredible number of prayers you have lifted up for me! I could feel them working as the doc studied the CT film. God finally pointed out the possible location to him and we have something to pursue now. BTW, I heard one of the Olympic athletes just yesterday use a term that I really liked. As he was talking about needing his home town folks to keep cheering for him, he said, "Prayers up!" I love that. You will hear it again from me, I suspect.

Prayers up!