Facet Joints

Tagged: chronic neck pain - multiple surgeries

Viewing 6 posts - 37 through 42 (of 61 total)

Previous 1 2 3 … 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next

Author

Posts
westie California
Participant

January 29, 2018 at 7:21 am

Post count: 138

#27423

Hello Dr Corenman,

As always thank you for your informative replies. The last CT scan shows a solid fusion, however according to my new Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation doctor, her assessment is after six spine surgeries there are remaining problems that she can see after a neurological and physical exams, review of my scans and nerve conduction/EMG test. The following are things in her opinion that are causing issues:

1)C4, C5, and C6 remaining nerve root compression – will cause shoulder and arm pain

2)C7/T1 Disc bulge will cause neck pain and muscle spasms

3)C2/C3 disc bulge causing headaches

In addition cervical kyphosis, scar tissue, degenerative changes, and facet sclerosis, will compound the above issues. Her question is how do we move forward to address my pain generators? She opposes facet blocks and ablations since in her opinion should not cause any significant pain.

Dr Corenman you mentioned in the past “SNRB” and Discogram. I suspect going forward a C4, C5 and C6 SNRB is the way to go and a Discogram on C7/T1? Thanks

westie California
Participant

January 29, 2018 at 8:12 am

Post count: 138

#27424

Dr Corenman,

I just noticed that C7/T1 has a 6mm peek cage. So i’m not sure how the MRI show a bulging disc at this level and what test would confirm this level is a pain generator? Any thoughts would be really helpful!

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

February 2, 2018 at 8:03 am

Post count: 8660

#27450

If the doc told you about a bulging disc at C7-T1 and there is a PEEK cage there, then you either misunderstood the doc or she does not have good experience with spinal disorders.

If there is remaining nerve root compression at C4-7 after an ACDF, there are some considerations to take into account. With a solid fusion, there is no motion of the vertebra. Motion generally will cause root compression due to the “nutcracker” effect of the nerve exit hole (foramen) compression with neck extension. Without motion, but with continued nerve compression, this may or may not be a condition that can be improved with surgery.

Selective nerve root blocks (SNRB) will relieve pain from an inflamed nerve whether it is affected by compression or by internal injury (Chronic radiculopathy-see https://neckandback.com/conditions/chronic-radiculopathy-neck/). Another way to say that is that the SNRB will point to the affected nerve but will not identify if the nerve is intrinsically injured or is still compressed. If the SNRB gives you good temporary relief and there is considerable remaining compression, a posterior foraminotomy is a consideration.

Your current physician is incorrect regarding facet blocks and ablations. They certainly can work and ablations can be effective.

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.

westie California
Participant

February 4, 2018 at 9:13 pm

Post count: 138

#27479

Hello Dr Corenman,

I have an appointment on Thursday and will ask her the question again. In reviewing my MRI report it states “desiccated annular bulges arise at C2-C3 and C7-T1”. “These discs mildly efface epidural compartment and thecal sac”. How can C7-T1 have an annular bulge if I have a peek cage? (confusing to me).

My goal is have SNRB at C4, C5 and C6 and see if I get good pain relief. The C7/T1 is also an area that I’m placing a lot of focus on because I’ve been told by at least three doctors that the base of neck pain, ring and pinky finger’s pain, etc is indicative of C7/T1 issue.

Should I also ask for a SNRB at C7/T1? Thanks

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

February 5, 2018 at 4:35 am

Post count: 8660

#27480

I am not sure you can have 4 SNRBs at one time. You will have to check your injectionist for that information. You might split the 4 levels into 2 and 2 and make sure they are only diagnostic (no steroid injected- 4 levels is too much steroid load at one or two times).

You have to know if C7-T1 is fused before a decision is made as to injection location. Surgery here is a foraminotomy if already fused (PEEK cage) or an ACDF if not fused.

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.

westie California
Participant

February 5, 2018 at 4:43 am

Post count: 138

#27482

Thank you so much!
Author

Posts

Viewing 6 posts - 37 through 42 (of 61 total)

Previous 1 2 3 … 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Average rating:

81 reviews

Eric S

Sep 26, 2021

by Eric S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Successful pars repair at 46 years old

Back in November of 2018 (at 46 years old) I came from Vancouver BC to have a pars repair done with Dr. Donald Corenman at the Steadman Clinic in Vail Colorado. I'm finally posting this review nearly three years later in late 2021. The reason I waited so long was I wanted to know the final result before I posted my review. Unfortunately in that time Dr. Corenman has retired. Nevertheless, I want to post this review of Dr. Corenman and his staff at the Steadman Clinic in their excellent treatment of my L5 pars interarticularis.

I fractured my pars at age 42 back in 2014 when rolling on the gym floor, and was denied treatment by the Canadian healthcare system, probably due to my age. First my GP told me there was no surgical option for a pars defect, which was quite incorrect! I tried to live with it, but the symptoms worsened (periodic random spine slippage and weeks of resultant pain after just bending over to tie my shoe, so I eventually learned to mostly squat and hardly bend). When I finally consulted with Canadian spine surgeons, I was told they believed my pars defect had been congenital (since birth). This was absurd, considering I had done extreme martial arts (including jiu jitsu) for years prior, as well as 5 years of reinforcing steel full time in my 20s, probably the hardest job on the back you can find. No pars defect like mine would possibly have allowed this--ergo it was impossible that I had had the defect since birth. I did however have an asymptomatic congenital spina bifida occulta that made me more susceptible to a pars fracture. In 2014 in one instant, I went from having the strongest back people I knew said they'd ever seen, to being unable to safely bend over and tie my shoe without a non-negligible risk of my spine slipping randomly (which would lead to weeks of pain after each occurrence). This was due to the unilateral L5 pars defect, otherwise known as spondylolysis. It was when lying in pain on the floor 4 years later after maybe the 6th spine slippage event post injury, that I had had enough, and resolved to have surgery. If Canada's "universal health care" said no, I would make lemonade from lemons, and find the very best surgeon in the world at pars repairs. That was Dr. Donald Corenman. Dr. Corenman back in 2018 ran a website https://neckandback.com/ that dedicated many pages to the science of every aspect of pars repairs, from eligibility (good discs on MRI), to best surgical techniques (minimal open compared to minimally invasive), best imaging to use (i.e., O-Arm with Stealth imaging vs. older fluoroscopy), the ideal amount of BMP to use and why not use too much or too little, and much more, all to do with pars repairs, pages upon pages of his site just on the pars, with scientific references and his own extensive expert opinion. As a health research statistician, I was very impressed with this. It was in stark contrast to the websites of other spine surgeons which barely gave the pars a word or two, focusing almost exclusively on fusions. I had found the best surgeon in the world for pars repairs, and so after Dr. Corenman personally screened my MRI to ensure my discs were healthy, I booked the surgery.

Being 46 years old at the time of surgery in 2018, with a 4-year-old pars fracture from 2014 combined with a congenital SBO meant my pars fragment was somewhat atrophied, but it was "very solid", said Dr. Corenman in the operative report. Nevertheless, it was challenging with two things to fix, the pars and SBO, and OR time was around 4 hours. Recovery over the following months was guided by a very clear "Spine binder" from the Steadman Clinic with strict rules of "no BLT" (no bending, lifting or twisting), and illustrated physiotherapy guidelines. They even warned patients to avoid fish oil supplements, which could excessively dampen inflammation and hence slow bone healing. They answered many questions I had during months of recovery, with responses coming from the very supportive Lori Fugate (then director of Dr. Corenman's practice), and Ehrich Bean (then physician's assistant at the practice), as well as a couple calls with Dr. Corenman himself after two of the CT scans. Ehrich Bean offered great advice for taking the spine binder conservatively due to the nature of pars repairs vs. fusions. The final post-op CT scan I had was a couple weeks ago at 34 months post-op, and Dr. Corenman had retired, but I got a very positive and informative call from Eric Strauch (current PA at the Steadman Clinic under Dr. Corenman's replacement there, and who had also worked with Dr. Corenman previously). The staff at the Steadman Clinic were extremely supportive all the way through the process. I should mention, the local Canadian spine surgeon did offer me very good post-operative support including antibiotics as needed to deal with a mild surface incision-site infection early on, booking numerous x-rays when I felt something was amiss, as well as booking all four of my post-op CT scans. I am very grateful for that support also.

My final result shows plenty of solid bone across the pars and a healed SBO, with my vertebral body now a solid bone ring instead of being broken at two places as it was pre-op. Does my spine hold up in the real world? You bet! I have recently dug and moved several yards of dirt and sand and gravel by myself (shovel and wheelbarrow!) to fix our water main, pulled roots from the yard, moved several "portable" (these are HUGE) air conditioners up several flights of stairs my myself, and lifted weights. I now run 2 miles (3.2 KM) several times weekly with a hard 100 meter dash in the middle. I bend deeply before each run I go on, with no spine slippage. My spine feels amazing. I can bend over to do exercise, or real word tasks, with no risk of spine slippage.

My sincere thanks to God, Dr. Donald Corenman, Lori Fugate, Ehrich Bean, Eric Strauch, and the Steadman Clinic, as well as the Canadian spine surgeon who offered me excellent post-operative care back in Canada. You have all given me a new lease on life.

Sincerely,
Eric S

Robert S

May 11, 2021

by Robert S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Back Fusion Surgery

I had my entire lumbar spine fused in November of 2018. I had scoliosis , with pinched nerves that were so painful I could hardly walk - and standing for more than a few minutes was impossible. Even sitting was painful.
The fusion surgery produced immediate relief! And the recovery was much easier than I expected.
To this day I can do all the activities I love from hiking, to standing in a stream fly fishing to riding my bike long distances - or just walking down the street with my wife.
Kudos to Dr. Corenman and his staff, (including the two Erics) for taking such good care of me!

Leslie R

Jul 9, 2020

by Leslie R on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

TLIF

I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic.

Submit your review
First Name, Last Initial:
Email:
Review Title:
Rating:	1 2 3 4 5
Review:

Check this box to confirm you are human.
Submit Cancel