Viewing 6 posts - 13 through 18 (of 31 total)
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  • MarieTaylo
    Participant
    Post count: 13

    Dr. Corenman,
    I agree with your assessment. I had been seeing a Chirocpractor since 1988. In 2012, he referred me for additional imaging.
    He understands the extent of my neck issues and manipulation could cause catastrophic damage.
    Thanks.

    MarieTaylo
    Participant
    Post count: 13

    Dr. Corenman,
    We’re going to a Flagship Medical Center on 2/9 for an evaluation by the Neuro modulation neurosurgeons.
    They have my previous imaging.
    Hopefully, they will do a complete medical evaluation rather than another “Patch” and see if this works which has been my previous experience.
    We will probably request a consultation with you to share their findings and before making any plans.
    As I told my husband, what happened to being admitted to a Medical Center, get evaluated, examined, and receive medical treatment? Remember, when patients used to receive medical care?
    Logistically, we can get to Vail. We would need to know how long it takes to get an appointment with you? AND, how long I would be in Vail?
    Practically speaking, there’s insurance to work through and a stay of more than a week would require my husband to leave me in Vail and come back at some point. So, transportation & accommodations are another factor.
    After evaluation, imaging, examination and consultation; you would have a treatment plan. After whatever treatment is proposed, do you have on site rehabilitation services or would I return home for rehabilitation?
    Rehabilitation is a big concern of mine; as the past year has physically depleted me.
    After the fusion on January 9, 2015 I spent 4 days on a postoperative unit then was transferred to their inpatient rehabilitation unit for 10 days. The transformation was amazing. I couldn’t bathe myself on the first day of rehab. By day ten, I was able to complete all ADL’s, walked without aid and built on that over the next 9 months.
    2016 was a waste of resources, time and ultimately I’ve been physically depleted.
    I’m impatient to see improvement but repeating the same cycle is an exercise in futility.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Talk to Lori Fugate, my office manager for contact info and lodging info. Please bring with you all the imaging studies (normally on a DVD or 3) and we can go over everything. You will probably only need one day in the clinic based upon your history to determine what your disorder(s) is.

    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.
    MarieTaylo
    Participant
    Post count: 13

    Dr. Corenman,
    We met with a neurosurgeon who’s specializes in Neuro modulation.
    I was a neonatal ICU RN.
    What impressed me most was the doctor did both a complete history & complete physical exam. I am amazed at how many doctors focus on pretty pictures and don’t touch their patients (unless they’re asleep for surgery).
    I am not a candidate for Neuro modulation.
    I’m experiencing Nociceptive intractable pain and possibly, neurogenic pain.
    In effect, the muscles that should be supporting my skull, neck & shoulders have been damaged; so, many other muscles are taking on a heavy workload.
    He referred my case to a neurosurgeon within the Institute. He’s ordered a MRI to compare with my past imaging.
    I have Titanium from C2-T2. So, there will be a lot of artifact on the MRI.
    A myelogram would probably yield better imaging but it’s invasive & painful, too.
    We’ll meet with him on 2/27 to discuss the results and any possible treatments.
    They suggested wearing a cervical collar (hard) to decrease the overload on my muscles.
    Before attempting any physical therapy, he wants me to wait until his colleague meets, examines and evaluates me on 2/27.
    He thought Botox injections to my bulging neck muscles by a neurologist may give me some relief.
    The neurologist meets with me on 5/2.
    In the meantime, I am coping poorly with intractable pain.
    As you can imagine, I battle with severe depression related to pain every day.
    I’m still struggling to understand how on 7/7/2014 I went into surgery for a C6-C7 cervical fusion and 2 1/2 years later, I’m unable to find a release from pain that has disabled me.
    Any recommendations for us when we meet with the neurosurgeon?
    After we meet with the Institute’s doctor on 2/27, we’ll share his findings with you.

    MarieTaylo
    Participant
    Post count: 13

    We have in our possession all of my imaging studies of the cervical spine, operative reports, EMG’s, etc.
    Once we’ve completed my evaluation, we’ll decide how to proceed.
    Thank You.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Be careful using the cervical collar as use of it can reduce muscle strength which you need for day to day activities. You can wear it when pain becomes too intense. Again, Botox is a paralytic agent so injection in these muscles will create weakness so be careful if it is recommended.

    A neurological consultation is not going to be helpful. I assume you mean a neurological surgery consultation which may be helpful.

    Pain generation workup is a careful meticulous series of steps using imaging, diagnostic blocks and careful assessment of the potential causes of pain.

    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.
Viewing 6 posts - 13 through 18 (of 31 total)
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