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  • Doner
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    Post count: 1

    Hello,

    I am new this forum and am nervous that I may have messed up my fusion.

    I am 5 weeks post-op (had a plif at l5-s1) I just returned to work on Thursday and the last few days I have been having increased pain in my left leg (same left problem before surgery) and today it was so bad I can barely function.

    If the leg pain is returning could it just be inflammation? If so how because isn’t there nothing to push on the nerve after the fusion?

    Is there a risk that the nerve is permanently damaged? I had a previous diskectomy at the same level about a year ago.

    Any other ideas that could be possible?

    I am calling the Dr. tomorrow, but I am so scared and can’t bare going back to the pain prior to surgery.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Return of leg pain can occur after surgery from a variety of conditions. This could be nerve root inflammation from BMP if it was used in the fusion. A hematoma can occasionally occur late after surgery. Very rare but the cage used in the fusion can slip and irritate the nerve. The nerve might have become stretched from some maneuver.

    I would consider a short course of oral steroids and new X-rays. If the steroid is ineffective and the hardware looks to be in good position, a new MRI with gadolinium would be my next step.

    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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