[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#9680

I don’t mean to criticize your decision for this type of surgery but unfortunately, there are many so-called “technical advances” that are not better. There is no way as a layman that you could know the difference and the claims made for these technologies do not focus on success rate but on non-substantiated claims. The old saying in marketing is “sell the sizzle, not the steak”. It applies in medicine also.

I use the oral corticosteroid decadron 4mg twice a day for five days for nerve inflammation but there are many other ones available.

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.

[sheray]

#9681

Dear Dr Corenman,
Your comments are well taken and appreciated. We live and learn! Thank you again for your valued time and advice. I will post further with a progress report in due course.

[sheray]

#9735

Dear Dr Corenman,
Since my last posting, there has been a new development which is causing me concern. I have over the last few days been having a pins and needles / prickling / tingling sensation together with a burning sensation at the top of my right foot as well as around the toes. This was not there previously and it is painful and uncomfortable enough such that it hinders my sleep. It also hurts when I have my shoe on.
The leg pain (back of thigh) and soreness is also still very much there. The numbness at the bottom of my foot is also there.
I would appreciate knowing your thoughts and advice on this new development relating to the prickling and burning sensation and the discomfort now being experienced. My surgery was 5 weeks ago.
Thank you.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#9793

The sensation of “pins and needles / prickling / tingling sensation” is indication of a nerve injury that can heal. Think of the sensation in your hand when you have compression around your elbow (funny bone). This is the same symptom as what you are experiencing in your foot. This will take time to alleviate.

The sensation of “a burning sensation at the top of my right foot as well as around the toes” along with “It hurts when I have my shoe on” is somewhat concerning. This could be chronic nerve damage (see chronic radiculopathy on the website). It might be helpful to have a new MRI to see what the status of the nerve root is. Consideration of an epidural steroid injection would also be part of my treatment algorithm.

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.

[sheray]

#9798

Dear Dr Corenman,
Thank you very much indeed for your reply.
I share your concern about the burning sensation and the possibility that it may be chronic nerve damage. I am scheduled to see a neurosurgeon locally and expect that he will ask me to go for an MRI. In that regard, is the MRI to show any possible nerve root damage any different from a “regular” lumbar MRI?
You have mentioned an injection as part of the treatment plan. Is that to help reduce the pain?
Also, in your experience, if it is chronic nerve damage, then of course depending on how chronic it is, have you seen patients recover from such nerve damage over time?
Thank you again for your time and advice.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#9799

The MRI might note continued compressive pathology or significant nerve root swelling, a sign of inflammation. Make sure that gadolinium is used (a medication injected at the time of the MRI) as this will light up any inflammation present and differentiate inflamation from compression.

The injection I mention is a corticosteroid (Kenalog or Celestone). If the nerve is significantly inflamed, inflammation can be damaging to the nerve tissue. The steroid injection will limit the inflammation which will in turn limit the damage to the nerve membrane.

Yes, chronic radiculopathy can improve over time but now is the time to treat the nerve for the best results.

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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