The first thing to in diagnosis is to categorize your symptoms specifically. What percentage of pain is here vs. there and what aggravates and relieves the pain? How does the pain become worse? Also, what symptoms occurred before your prior surgeries and how the surgeries affected these symptoms.
Once the symptoms are categorized, then assumptions can be made regarding their origins. A physical examination can be performed to determine if the symptoms have physical findings that corroborate or deny the suspected diagnosis.
Imaging is then used to determine if the history (symptoms) and physical examination have a source of pain.
Finally, injections can be used to confirm the suspected diagnosis.
Only then can a surgical plan can be formed to determine what surgery can and cannot do to help you with your symptoms.
You can call my office at the (970) 476-1100 number using the USA country code and talk to one of my nurses to determine what costs are involved.
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.