Viewing 4 posts - 7 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • Shermdaddy
    Participant
    Post count: 5

    I am three weeks post op and feeling much better. I had my follow up and all was uneventful. I still have numbness in my foot and a little in my mid calf. I’m done to acetaminophen once a day and maybe one Percocet (5/325) before bed or if there is some breakthrough pain.

    I’m walking about 2-3 miles a day in 2-3 increments. I wear my back brace at all times when not sleeping. My doc suggested taking it off intermittently and in short duration in a few weeks (5-6 was post op) to allow my back muscles to strengthen. I definitely pay attention to my posture and avoiding lifting anything over a couple of pounds. The next appoint is four months post op to review a CT scan for fusion. This is obviously my biggest concern.

    Since, my time off I have been scanning the Internet for ideas to help improve the fusion. I was wondering if you had any experience with the following:
    1. Using a hyperbaric chamber-there are a few studies demonstrating improved bone healing.
    2. Acupuncture
    3. I saw an Israeli study in animals showing increased bone healing with marijuana use.

    I think this forum is great for people really interested getting solid fair information. Thank you!

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    You are improving at the standard rate which is excellent. Numbness typically is uncovered after the pain is gone. Numbness was most likely present prior to surgery but was uncovered after the pain disappeared. It takes about 3-6 months for the area of numbness to shrink down.

    Hyperbaric oxygen exposure will not be necessary. This might be somewhat helpful for healing but typically is only used for massive trauma or poor healing potentials such as a diabetic patient.

    Acupuncture I would be wary of in the immediate post-op period. Any needle that pierces the skin can transmit bacteria into the blood stream. This can set you up for infection. I would wait at least three months before acupuncture is used.

    Marijuana will not help healing and in fact, the inhaled smoke from marijuana will inhibit the osteoblast migration and should be avoided for 3-6 months.

    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.
    Shermdaddy
    Participant
    Post count: 5

    Thank you, I’m looking for any advantage to improve my rate of fusion.

    The numbness is on the opposite foot of the leg in pain. The side with all the pain is actually completely normal at this point. However, I still understand can this can be completely normal.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    The only way to develop improvement in fusion rate and percentage is to correct problems that can be corrected. That is, if the patient smokes, stop smoking. If the patient is an alcoholic, stop this abuse. Control diabetes, correct malnutrition and manage metabolic diseases without medications that can block fusion. Unfortunately, there is no special supplement to take or external treatment to engage in that can increase fusion rate in the normal individual.

    The best way to have fusion occur is during surgery. Meticulous preparation of the fusion bed, well fixed vertebra with instrumentation and the use of BMP will increase fusion rate.

    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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