[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22267

These injections generally will give a good indication of the pain generators and the approximate relief with a fusion. The injection without steroid was diagnostic (numbed the painful structures) but will not yield long term relief. However, long term relief may still not have happened even with the steroid but that will not now be known (it was unlikely).

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.

[biofreeze]

#22272

Thank you. There will always be some doubt that the steroid could have saved me from surgery however unlikely it is!

Perhaps I will try again.

Question. My physiatrist said I had at least a year of rehab after the surgery. He said there was a certain progression to be followed by a rehab specialist. Not as simple as just getting the surgery and walking around.

What are your thoughts on the rehab process ?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22273

Depending upon how the surgery is performed, many patients are at 80% at 5 months and probably at 100% at 8-9 months. See the section https://neckandback.com/pre-and-post-op/lumbar-fusion/ to have a better understanding of my rehabilitation process.

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.

[Renee123]

#22282

Thank you

How many days after the “newspaper” does the intense pain begin and when does the hard part start to pass?

Also. How important is the incision and muscle stripping to access the spine in terms of pain and recovery ?

I’m concerned a PA will be making the incision and closing me up !!

[Renee123]

#22283

* “newspaper test”

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22285

The newspaper test” lasts for about 24 hours after wound closure. Normally, the back will feel “tight” and achy after this period. This discomfort does not come on immediately but gradually. Patients are typically on oral pain medications and a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia) when this aching starts.

Oral medications include timed released medications (Oxycontin, MS Contin), oral short term medications (Percocet, Dilaudid or Morphine) and muscle relaxants (Soma, Valium, Flexoril).

Any severe pain that “bleeds through” the oral mediation can be treated by a PCA. This is a machine that delivers a predetermined amount of pain killer into an IV connected to the patient when the patient pushes the button.

Significant pain slowly abates in a day or two and dull aching typically is gone in 1-3 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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