Viewing 5 posts - 13 through 17 (of 17 total)
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  • RenCurtis
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    Thank you, Dr. Corenman, for your input!! I will check out the link you included in just a moment. I have been reading so much on your site and have learned a great deal of helpful (not to mention unknown) information so far about the back that I’m blown away!! May I ask a question? If I was your patient, what would this next surgery consist of? Which route would you go and what would my recovery consist of? I would be highly interested in knowing what it would take if you could become my surgeon!! :) Your knowledge is astounding!! I’m extremely impressed!

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    It is hard to say exactly what surgery you need without new imaging and a thorough physical examination. I would suspect based upon your “foot drop” complaint and the prior changes at L4-5 before your L5-S1 fusion (“L4-L5: Bulging annulus eccentric towards the left with moderate facet arthropathy/ligamentum flava thickening, which creates mild canal stenosis, mild right foraminal narrowing, and moderate left foraminal narrowing”) that the L4-5 level has worn out compressing either the L4 or the L5 root (or both) that you might need a decompression and fusion of the L4-5 level.

    You have to remember that you already have some wear characteristics of the levels above that and if your plans are to do heavy work or significant impact activities, this can wear those upper levels out too. See this thread to understand the biomechanics of the lower back. https://neckandback.com/treatments/conservative-treatment-mechanical-lower-back-disorders/

    If you want to come see me, I would be happy to accommodate you.

    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.
    RenCurtis
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    Hi Dr Corenman, my doctor scheduled the following for February 13: Removal of hardware, inspection of previous fusion, revision laminectomy of L5, partial laminectomy of L4, posterior fusion of L4-5, interbody fusion, reduction of spondylolisthesis, and bony graft substitution.

    Vaughn
    Participant
    Post count: 3

    I was diagnosed with merligia after a spinal fusion. I have stabbing,shocking and sensitive to touch on my thigh. We have tried cortisone shots, burning the nerve and spinal cord stimulator and none of them have worked.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Meralgia Paresthetica is the aggravation or inflammation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve where it exits the pelvis under Poupart’s ligament (the ligament that connects the anterior pelvis). It is strictly a sensory nerve root so there is no danger of having motor loss.

    Treatment typically is some physical therapy with ultrasound. If that is ineffective, then a steroid injection can be effective. Finally, if the diagnosis is certain (and in your case, that might be in question), then a surgical release of the nerve can be performed. I have never seen a case of such severe pain that it would require the attempt of a spinal cord stimulator.

    I would go back to look for other diagnoses of this set of symptoms including an L2 or L3 radiculopathy or a hip disorder.

    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 5 posts - 13 through 17 (of 17 total)
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