Viewing 4 posts - 31 through 34 (of 34 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Renee123
    Participant
    Post count: 130

    Hi Dr. Corenman:

    Just wanted to give you a quick update. The prednisone taper starting at 40 mgs reduced contralateral leg/back pain by approximately 50%, however not completely resolved, but it did help. I am walking .5 – 1 mile per day. I do have leg pain at night, but not too bad during the day; seems to only hurt when I put weight on the left leg, but not laying down.

    I am still experiencing numbness on right thigh (TLIF side) no pins and needles, just numbness and it is transient; seems to also come about with standing.

    6 weeks out from TLIF – X ray looks good, screw placement looks good so I did have MRI, no seroma, no hemotoma.

    I am hoping that I can start PT soon and the stretching and exercise will help.

    QUESTION:

    1.) If pain doesn’t go away on contralateral side, is it advisable to get a steriod injection and if so how long after surgery is it safe to get the steriod injection for sciatica so as not to interrupt the fusion process?

    2.) When do you usually allow your patients to B,L,T and start PT?

    3.) How do you determine it is safe to start PT ? This seems subjective with all surgeons.

    The more detail you can give the better!!!

    THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Getting a steroid injection is OK generally at any time as the steroid is not placed on the fusion area.

    I allow patients to BLT at 12 weeks.

    I always start PT at week 6 after fusion. Safety depends upon the therapist. I have a form that is filled out to delineate what can and what cannot be done at the 6 weeks point.

    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.
    Renee123
    Participant
    Post count: 130

    your help is much appreciated !

    1.) Would you suggest a steroid injection after 6 weeks at L5,S1 for my symptoms? OR is this something that may clear up after fusion takes place ?

    2.) When and how do you check for the onset of fusion ? Do you do a flex/ext X ray or scan before PT starts?

    Thank you again!

    Renee123
    Participant
    Post count: 130

    Would you be so kind as to advise on the above? Thank you very much !

Viewing 4 posts - 31 through 34 (of 34 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.