I will answer your questions in the order asked.
As a surgeon, if your patient that had 3 level surgery and correction of lordosis and sublaxation, was complaining of sharp stabbing pain worse than before surgery, at 6 months post op, would it concern you and would you request a ct scan or follow up tests?
Yes- a workup would be in order.
If a patient complains of urinary issues, as a surgeon, what do you do? Do you refer to a urologist or anything?
It depends upon the symptoms. There are many women who have delivered babies and have stretched out pelvic diaphrams. This structure is important for urinary consistancy so I am careful not to blame urological symptoms on a neurological condition quickly. Pain can also change urinary habits. I do not hesitate to refer to a urologist if there is any question.
If the PA is saying urinary urgency cannot be caused by my injury, but I have been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, is she incorrect?
Possibly- please read above.
As a surgeon, do you look at images such as bone xray and mri WITH the patient?
Always.
Is my surgeon able to see fusion on xray alone? Or on MRI?
X-rays can be a good source for noting solid fusions but the gold standard is the CT scan. X-rays can miss up to 20% of pseudoarthroses (non-fusions). MRIs are notorious for not predicting solid fusions.
At 6 months should I have fused by now?
You should have a solid fusion at 6 months but I have seen very rare cases take up to 9 months.
Is it appropriate at 6 months post op, to try injections? Should this have been suggested by the surgeon?
Diagnostic injections are important in my practice. Some surgeons discount these injections so I cannot tell you the thoughts of your surgeon.
As before, I appreciate any input. I am feeling rather confused about the role of my surgeon and whether or not he is supposed to be treating me or if his role is now done.
Would you or any other surgeon be willing to take on a patient 6 months post op and what determines whether a surgeon will or won’t?
This occurs all the time in my practice. Half the patients I see have failed prior surgeries from elsewhere. Some surgeons will not see a patient with prior failed surgeries.
Dr. Corenman
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.