[texasspondy]

#7497

Jaime, something you might consider. If or when you have exhausted other sources as local doctors or treatments is, that Dr. Corenman, sees patients from all over the world. An unhealthy back is a life of pain and misery as you are well knowledged by now on this subject.

I don’t work for Dr. Corenman, or get paid, or on his staff, but I too have spondy of the l5 level. It has changed my life the last ten years and drastically the last 15 months. So much research I have done on this matter that I actually flew a couple hours and drove a couple more hours to have a consultation with Dr. Corenman. No it wasn’t as convenient as a Spine surgeon across town but, you do have options. When my life will allow for me to take some time out to fix my back, Dr. Corenman’s hands will be the ones to do it.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#7504

I just saw a patient yesterday that fits perfectly with this discussion. She had a fusion surgery of L4-5 back in 1965. In those days, fusions were performed for many times, unreliable diagnoses. This fusion became solid (as did 60% in those days). This patient had a normal appearing disc at L4-5 (the fusion level) and degenerative discs at all the other levels in the lumbar spine. The fusion prevented loading of this L4-5 disc and preserved it.

Hopefully, these days a normal disc will not be fused (but there are some exceptions) but a fused level could demonstrate some degenerative changes over time. This is the exception however and not the rule.

If you would like me to review your films, please contact Margaret at 888 888-5310 to schedule delivery.

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.

[Purduejaime]

#7639

Thank you for all of your help so far.. As the spine surgeon I’ve seen has been of no help other than to get new films and generally upset me. The ct films and X-rays done showed a solid fusion, supposedly. I say supposedly because the radiologist report stated that I had a plif procedure when I very clearly have a disk remaining. I checked the films myself and it does look like a solid fusion, however of course I am untrained. So, I will be sending my films as you suggested, for review.

The surgeon that I saw said that although my disk has completely degenerated since fusion, it cannot cause pain unless there is movement in the fusion, which he said couldn’t happen since I have a solid fusion on films. Is this really true or can a disk cause pain even if not being applied force?

I’m very upset as I’m such a “young person” and I am in SEVERE pain at every moment of the day which has worsened a lot since being pregnant and giving birth to my son 14 months ago. The pain is very centrally located in my spine at the level of my fusion, as well as severe permanently spasmed muscles to the sides of my fusion, particularly on the left side, and they increased when I had an RAF procedure that was unsuccessful. Those muscle spasms initially did disappear for a few months directly after my 2002 fusion.

The spine surgeon also told me there was nothing that could be done for me surgically. If there is nothing that can be done to “fix” this, is there any way to have my nerves to that area permanently severed so that I don’t have pain? I’m willing to accept paralysis in exchange for pain relief from this debilitating problem.

Again, I’m sending my films CDs, and hoping there may be treatment as I’m not satisfied with ongoing narcotic treatment. The only time in 8 years that I’ve had complete relief is when I had an epidural and delivered my son.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#7642

If the disc is fused, it would be unlikely that this disc is causing pain. I have seen unusual presentations of solid posterior fusion causing pain if the amount of fusion bone formed is minuscule but that would be the exception to the rule.

I will not assume that there is “nothing to do”. A work-up can reveal pain generators. If the pain generator is not amenable to surgery, there are other treatments (spinal stimulators and medications) that can help.

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.

[Purduejaime]

#11280

Thank you again for all of your responses and for giving me second opinions. I just wanted to follow up. I went back to my original surgeon who did a discogram which gave me a positive pain response. I had a new anterior fusion done with disc removal. The surgery successfully brought me back to my “baseline” of chronic pain, that I experienced prior to having my first child. My spine finally feels more stable in that area!

I have finally learned the “cause” of the problems I’m experiencing (spondylolisthesis, multiple shoulder subluxations, other joint issues) and am having genetic testing done to determine which type of Ehlers Danlos I have, as I meet the clinical criteria. Do you have any experience with this disorder? I still have chronic intractable muscle spasms in my spine, despite it feeling very well fused.

Thank you again for your guidance and your willingness to help people all over who you may never meet!

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#11311

Ehlers Danlos syndrome is a collagen disorder where the normally nonstretchable ligaments stretch like elastic tissue. I do have ED patients in my practice and they do seem to have more myofascial (musculotendonous) complaints.

This disorder has to be managed but not cured. Strengthening activities, aerobic conditioning and medications like NSAIDS seem to help.

ED patients can have spinal degeneration just like anyone else and need to be monitored for these degenerative changes.

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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