Hi Dr. Corenman,
At my six month F/U I was told my fusion was solid and was released with no activity restrictions. I have been walking and have gotten back to weight training twice a week with a personal trainer and we modify as needed. I am fit and strong.
My back pain is back most days where I feel like I have been smacked in the lumbar region with a two by four…just like it felt prior to my fusion in September 2015. I also have pain radiating again down my left leg. The pain goes to my upper calf and sometimes is lateral, sometimes medial. A portion of my left buttock is numb to the touch and I continue to have the stinging sensation. These symptoms seem to be worse at night when first laying down and turning in bed. They also occur when I am sitting. The aching in my low back is not as bad some days. Today, I would say it’s an 8/10. I take Flexeril each night at bedtime and nothing else. No NSAIDS due to previous gastric ulcers.
I have been in contact with my orthopedic doctor’s office and a CT scan will be ordered. My questions to you are
!. Can he be sure the fusion is solid just by an x-ray? He did see lucency at one screw in March. My symptoms definitely are getting worse. 2. Can a fusion fail at 6-12 months post surgery, though looking solid at six months via A/P and lateral x-ray? 3. Can the pain and discomfort/numbness be due to nerve irritation from a loose screw? 4. Prior to my fusion, I had pain radiating down my left lateral thigh without calf involvement when walking only.
Why, now, would the issue be more when sitting/lying down?
Thank you so much!
I will let you know what the results of the CT scan are. My doc is on vacation now. I’m checking to see if CT order has been submitted.
