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  • CMEmerson
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    Post count: 1

    I’m not your patient and never have been. I have noticed your name associated with posterior ray fusion and wanted to get your feedback on my condition, and hopefully get your direction on it.

    History:

    In 1995, at the age of 34, I had posterior ray fusion done on my spine at the L4-L5 position. After the surgery, I would experience periodic (approximately once or twice a year) extreme pain in my lower back at the L4-L5 area. After years of this pain occurring, I went to my doctor and requested an x-ray from my general physician to make sure there was no problem with the bones in my back. The x-ray came back showing that the bone and cadges were fine.

    After the x-ray, I assumed that what I have is muscular pain. As I previously stated, these pains would occur approximately once or twice a year and would last for a day or two. Recently though, these pains have been occurring more and more regularly and for longer time. The last episode I had lasted 5 or 6 days. It subsided and not two days later the pain started up again. There is no rhyme or reason to why they start. I could be exercising, sitting, doing my every day activity, or simply putting on my socks.

    I don’t know how to explain the pain. It starts out feeling like a severe bee sting in the region of my lower back between the L4-L5 area and progresses into a feeling so painful that I am unable to function. I am unable to sit or lie with any comfort. If sitting or lying, I find it very difficult and painful to get up. Standing seems to be the only position I can find some relief, but this is also painful.

    Question:

    I am now going into my middle and late 50’s. I am hoping you can direct me in the right direction (other than medication to alleviate pain, if possible).

    I exercise (light exercise) but it doesn’t seem that I am making my back any stronger. My question is Will my muscles ever heal or is this what I am going to have to live with for the rest of my life? Is there anything I can do to make it better?

    I have a dozen more questions, but these are the primary ones. I would appreciate any feedback you can provide.

    Thank you.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    I am unclear as to the definition of a “posterior ray fusion” but will assume that this is a posterolateral fusion of L4-5. X-ray of the fusion can be definitive as to fusion status but more commonly may not really define what the fusion status is. I hope you had flexion/extension films along with the standard two films and they were all performed standing up.

    You might consider an examination with a spine expert who can also go over the films. MRIs are very helpful to determine disorders and with your note of standing improving pain, that could be associated with a disc herniation.

    Most pain generated in the back is not muscular in origin. It might feel like the muscles are the cause but typically muscles react to a disorder and are not primary pain generators.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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