A set-back from surgery at the five month post-operative period could be from a number of problems. This is about the time that a lack of fusion will reveal itself (pseudoarthrosis). A level above or below can become involved. You could develop an inflamed nerve root at the surgical level. If you are loading the spine more heavily now, this could be muscle deconditioning.
All of these will be revealed with a thorough new history, physical examination and imaging. I would agree that both a CT scan and a new MRI (with gadolinium) would be in order.
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.
