[Irish Ire]

#8341

Full open umbilical incisional hernia repair with mesh returned abdomen pain and nauseousness from original exercise injury and added severe rib pain. Two years later often every breath hurts. Ice and strength exercise helps. Inactivity and especially sitting hurts. 2.1x.6cm low-density region of uncertain significance at surgery site five months post surgery and again shown two years later. Past history of intercostal neuralgia (2005), minimal scoliosis of superior thoracic spine convex right (2005) in, minimal disc herniation at T8-9 and minimal bulge at T2-3 (2005/2012 MRI), minor degenerative spurring anteriorly with thoracic spine, C4-7 disc replacement, early facet arthropathy.

My husband wondered whether the lack of support from the abdominal muscles during surgery might have worsened the thoracic area?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#8349

It would be highly unusual to have a weak core (due to abdominal surgery) cause thoracic spine problems unless a significant preexisting disorder was present. Positioning during surgery can sometimes cause spinal problems as the patient is “asleep” and cannot protect his or her spine during surgery.

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.

[Irish Ire]

#8352

Thanks much.

[Author]

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