Viewing 4 posts - 13 through 16 (of 16 total)
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  • jmc1982
    Participant
    Post count: 9

    Thanks Doc, both times it’s happened I’ve woke up with an insane pain in the thoracic part of my back. There’s 2 separate parts that hurt. There’s the upper part that hurts and shocks me when I bend my head down. And there’s a separate spot that hurts it feels like a balloon at the bottom of my shoulder blade between it and my spine. It’s a constant discomfort that feels like it needs to pop.

    I had an MRI on my lower back because I have a pain in the bottom of my butt cheek that runs about 3/4 the way down my thigh. It just showed a minor l4/5 bulge.

    I haven’t had any imaging done on the thoracic part of my back since my injury. The physical therapist was wanting my family doc to put a order in but this was 6 months ago and he was sure it was a pulled muscle. So I’m not sure what’s going on there. I know I’m not going to get anything done by trying to tell my doc how to do his job, but I know what I’m feeling. I have good insurance that I’ve never used before this, It’s a little frustrating.

    Sorry to sound like a hypochondriac. I’m really not lol. I’ve been to the doctor more in the last 9 months than I have my entire life. I can count on 1 hand how many times I’ve been in 20 years before this happened. That was just for flonase and tetanus shots.

    Have a good day doc, I’ll post more after I see the neurosurgeon

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    The most common referral pain area for the cervical discs is the thoracic spine in the posterior shoulder region and between the shoulder blades. I can’t tell you how many patients were referred in with a shoulder or thoracic spine diagnosis that had the origin of complaints from the neck.

    Severe pain can cause bladder sphincter release that can be mistaken for spinal cord originating bowel and bladder involvement. A physical examination will help to differentiate these disorders but my money is on pain inhibition of your bladder sphincter and not spinal cord involvement.

    A selective nerve root block of the cervical nerve that relieves your thoracic pain will convince you of the true origin of the 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.
    jmc1982
    Participant
    Post count: 9

    Well Doc, my surgeon and his assistant want to go ahead and do an ACDF next month. When we was talking about recovery he said you can return to an office job in a few weeks depending on how you heal. He was a little noncommittal when I reminded him my job. I work outdoors in all types of weather climbing ladders, working overhead, bending over, frequently lifting 30lbs and infrequently lifting up to 80lbs. When I’m not outdoors I’m required to sit attentively hours at a time on a piece of equipment that vibrates and shakes.

    It’s all a lot to take in, he said realistically I should see a relief in pain rather soon. The strength will take a little time weeks or months.

    I’m an optimistic person, I definitely want this fixed and I want to have the same relative quality of life I enjoyed before this happened.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    Every surgeon has a different protocol after ACDF surgery. I would allow sedentary work after one week but would not allow overhead work and climbing ladders or behavior that could put the surgery at risk (loading the spine. lifting, impact, potential falls, heavy equipment operation) until healing normally at about 6-8 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.
Viewing 4 posts - 13 through 16 (of 16 total)
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