[LC_IN_NYC]

#31172

Dr Corenman,

Thank you for your response. I am trying to listen to my pain but my high tolerance has made it hard to judge throughout. If I have pain while standing, but not walking, does this mean I should be resting? I have found that the leg pain comes upon standing still or after activity while resting but very rarely hurts while in motion.

If a reherniation, I would like to attempt conservative treatment for a few months before diving into a fusion unless that is considered too risky? I am concerned that having had two surgeries so quickly, my body has had little chance to heal on its own. For now, I am crossing my fingers that it is mere inflammation as I have been quite cautious since the surgery.

Either way, I will follow up to share how things go. Any other guidance re: questions I should be asking my surgeon would be appreciated.

Warmly,
LC

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#31175

I think giving it two weeks before a new MRI is a reasonable approach. I understand your reluctance to undergo yet another surgery but if you have a new herniation and a significantly inflamed nerve root, one last surgery (fusion) should cure most of your problem and allow you to heal without worrying about any further problems at this level.

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.

[LC_IN_NYC]

#31181

Thank you, Dr Corenman. I will give it time and hope it is inflammation or seroma, but understand that a fusion is something I may need to consider in the future.

Having noticed discussions here and other sites that note inflammation-related nerve pain can take weeks to resolve, may I ask if or why you believe there is a strong likelihood of reinjury in my case? I may be mistaking caution for belief, so my apologies if so.

As I mentioned, I had continued leg pain in the hospital recovery room before even attempting to walk, which is why my surgeon is not yet raised reherniation.Have you seen instances of an immediate reinjury?

Many thanks again.

Best,
LC

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#31187

I judge the quality and intensity of recurrent pain along with the physical examination (how severe the SLR [tension signs] and the sensory, motor changes) to determine if there is increasing signs of nerve tension which could indicate a recurrent herniation.

I have had two incidences of recurrent herniation right off the surgical table so even though it is rare (2 incidences of this in 3000 microdisectomies), it can occur.

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.

[LC_IN_NYC]

#31191

Dear Dr Corenman,

Thank you for clarifying.

The recovery room experience and commute home was very difficult — so I suppose it is possible that my pain was more than typical post-op pain. I will for now stay hopeful that I am not one of those rare cases. I am not free of nerve pain, but it does seem to be improving a bit each day. Last night was the first time that I did not have evening pain, and my low back discomfort in the morning is also decreasing slowly.

I’ll share an update once I know more. I appreciate your time and insight.

Best,
LC

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#31192

Please update over the next two weeks.

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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