“I have pain after my Myelogram?”
I had a Myelogram yesterday 9-24-21. I've followed the Dr's orders and my lower back is in really bad pain. If I move it hurts down both legs. Should I go to the ER and have them evaluate this or what? My Dr had a hard time getting the needle into my spine because of scar tissue from previous surgeries. Please give me some advice on what I need to do. I drank tons of fluids and rested.
Female | 61 years old
5 Answers
Call the on-call doctor. If it's pain, it can wait until the morning. If you can't move your legs or they feel weak, if you have loss of bowel or bladder function, then straight to the ER.
Good Day,
Pain after a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) required to perform a myelogram is the most common side effect of the procedure. As you indicated that the procedure was difficult due to your scar tissue, it likely meant that the doctor performing the myelogram needed to pass the needle multiple times through your tissues, and this contributes to the back pain. As far as an emergency room visit, if you are experiencing progressive weakness or numbness in your legs following the procedure, an ER visit is essential. If pain is the primary concern, it may improve with a warm bath or shower; use of Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medications (Advil or Motrin, or equivalent), and some mild stretching. The stretching may help loosen up muscles in spasm from being poked; it may relax ligaments traumatized by the needle; and may contribute to healing. By all means, if the pain is higher than a 7/10 in the back, it would be appropriate to seek medical care either in an ER or an urgent care center.
Good luck!!
Kenneth D. Candido, M.D.
Pain after a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) required to perform a myelogram is the most common side effect of the procedure. As you indicated that the procedure was difficult due to your scar tissue, it likely meant that the doctor performing the myelogram needed to pass the needle multiple times through your tissues, and this contributes to the back pain. As far as an emergency room visit, if you are experiencing progressive weakness or numbness in your legs following the procedure, an ER visit is essential. If pain is the primary concern, it may improve with a warm bath or shower; use of Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medications (Advil or Motrin, or equivalent), and some mild stretching. The stretching may help loosen up muscles in spasm from being poked; it may relax ligaments traumatized by the needle; and may contribute to healing. By all means, if the pain is higher than a 7/10 in the back, it would be appropriate to seek medical care either in an ER or an urgent care center.
Good luck!!
Kenneth D. Candido, M.D.
Absolutely, you should go to the ER for evaluation and possible consult for neurosurgery following a difficult diagnostic spinal procedure. Differential diagnoses for your symptoms include a spinal hematoma or abscess leading to paralysis.
Hello!
The problems you are describing are very common. My first advice would be that if you are resting, make sure that it is not in a sitting position, especially if you are slumped, like in a couch. We all do this naturally, so it’s likely that this is happening if you are not deliberately focusing on maintaining a backward curve in your low back. You may feel like you are resting, however sitting in a forward curved position is much more aggravating than being up and moving around. You really should see a physical therapist, and specifically someone who is good at treating spine. In general, you need to do exercises focused on behind your spine backwards rather than forward. However, if you do this too quickly, it can make pain worse. If you are a reader, I would buy “Treat Your Own Back” by Robin McKenzie and he will walk you through how to do this. I would at least ask your doctor, however, for a referral to PT and see if you can find someone who is good at treating low back. This is your best bet.
Hope this helps! I know this can be excruciating, but you are going to be okay. Our bodies are designed to heal! Best of luck.
The problems you are describing are very common. My first advice would be that if you are resting, make sure that it is not in a sitting position, especially if you are slumped, like in a couch. We all do this naturally, so it’s likely that this is happening if you are not deliberately focusing on maintaining a backward curve in your low back. You may feel like you are resting, however sitting in a forward curved position is much more aggravating than being up and moving around. You really should see a physical therapist, and specifically someone who is good at treating spine. In general, you need to do exercises focused on behind your spine backwards rather than forward. However, if you do this too quickly, it can make pain worse. If you are a reader, I would buy “Treat Your Own Back” by Robin McKenzie and he will walk you through how to do this. I would at least ask your doctor, however, for a referral to PT and see if you can find someone who is good at treating low back. This is your best bet.
Hope this helps! I know this can be excruciating, but you are going to be okay. Our bodies are designed to heal! Best of luck.
I would suggest that you try to talk to the doctor who did the test, or his/her staff, and get their suggestions. If you have a loss of bowel or bladder control or loss of feeling or strength in your legs, then go to the ER immediately. Most likely the pain will subside gradually. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, if you can take them, may help.
Leon Rosenberg
Leon Rosenberg
