Donald Corenman MD DC | Spine Surgeon Colorado

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BRONCOFAN1
Participant

October 16, 2019 at 8:17 am

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #31304

Hi Dr. Corenman,

Just wanted to close the loop for this thread with a final update. I did have a revision ACDF at C5-7. At about 2 months out, it seems that there was likely some pain from that non-union that cleared up with the revision, but also a portion of the pain that was unrelated – with the non-union pain gone it’s more apparent to me that this is probably coming from the levels above the ACDF.

C2-5 are all mildly degenerative – game plan is going to be to start PT to see if we can’t get the strength up enough to reduce the symptoms as much as possible.

Thanks for all your assistance,
Kevin

BRONCOFAN1
Participant

July 3, 2019 at 4:57 pm

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #30690

Hi Dr. Corenman,

It was nice speaking with you today.. I appreciate the long distance consultation service as it was very helpful for me. If it’s ok with you, I will continue to use the forum for minor items – let me know if you prefer a different method. A couple of quick items:

1) I did find my pre-surgery MRI and will send the disc to Lori attention. Will use regular mail this time..

2) I just wanted to confirm that, in your view, my C5-6 level is fused. The radiology report did not note that, although my surgeon did indicate that his view of the CT was that it was at least very close to a fusion and the level seemed to be stable.

I will pursue the course of action we discussed and let you know how it goes. Will probably take me a couple of weeks to get the injections scheduled and performed so I will be back in touch then.

Thanks,
Kevin

BRONCOFAN1
Participant

July 2, 2019 at 4:56 am

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #30671

Dr Corenman,

I also want to note that I think I used the term “motion” at C6-7 in a way that may not be the way a spine expert would use the term. It is a subtle spreading of the spinous processes between flexion / extension views… may not be nearly as bad as I made it sound. In any event you will have the films to review for yourself very soon – plan to overnight them to your office this morning along with the long distance consult packet.

Thanks,
Kevin

BRONCOFAN1
Participant

July 1, 2019 at 10:47 pm

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #30669

Above should say MRI not MEI!

BRONCOFAN1
Participant

July 1, 2019 at 10:46 pm

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #30668

Dr Corenman,

Thanks for the reply… given that I’m 2.5 years into this I’m determined to get it right this time. I will contact your office tomorrow about your long distance consult program. I have an MEI / Flex Ex and CT scan so that should be covered. I would actually strongly consider coming to Colorado for a surgery (if a surgical plan can be identified) as well.

Reviewing this whole thread I can only lament not doing this sooner…

Thanks!
Kevin

BRONCOFAN1
Participant

July 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Post count: 42

in reply to: Neck and Shoulder Pain #30664

Hi Dr. Corenman,

I spoke to my surgeon today… both levels look like there has been some attempted healing. C5-6 actually looks like it got close, while the C6-7 looks like it is lagging way behind. Hardware is in good shape with no indication that the screws are moving around, etc… but there is definitely some motion at the C6-7 level visible in the flex/ex..

Doctor seems to think I should wait this out, and continue with pain management for the time being. Based on what I read online, 18 months post surgery it doesn’t seem like there’s much reason to think this is going to end up fusing. Do you see any potential for using a bone growth stimulator to see if that would help?

It really seems to me that a posterior fusion is the way to go at this point – but also curious if there is any good way to really be certain that the non-union is causing the pain. It seems like maybe it’s more a matter of excluding the other potential pain generators – is that correct?

Thanks,
Kevin
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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 41 total)

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Donald Corenman, MD, DC

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81 reviews

Eric S

Sep 26, 2021

by Eric S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Successful pars repair at 46 years old

Back in November of 2018 (at 46 years old) I came from Vancouver BC to have a pars repair done with Dr. Donald Corenman at the Steadman Clinic in Vail Colorado. I'm finally posting this review nearly three years later in late 2021. The reason I waited so long was I wanted to know the final result before I posted my review. Unfortunately in that time Dr. Corenman has retired. Nevertheless, I want to post this review of Dr. Corenman and his staff at the Steadman Clinic in their excellent treatment of my L5 pars interarticularis.

I fractured my pars at age 42 back in 2014 when rolling on the gym floor, and was denied treatment by the Canadian healthcare system, probably due to my age. First my GP told me there was no surgical option for a pars defect, which was quite incorrect! I tried to live with it, but the symptoms worsened (periodic random spine slippage and weeks of resultant pain after just bending over to tie my shoe, so I eventually learned to mostly squat and hardly bend). When I finally consulted with Canadian spine surgeons, I was told they believed my pars defect had been congenital (since birth). This was absurd, considering I had done extreme martial arts (including jiu jitsu) for years prior, as well as 5 years of reinforcing steel full time in my 20s, probably the hardest job on the back you can find. No pars defect like mine would possibly have allowed this--ergo it was impossible that I had had the defect since birth. I did however have an asymptomatic congenital spina bifida occulta that made me more susceptible to a pars fracture. In 2014 in one instant, I went from having the strongest back people I knew said they'd ever seen, to being unable to safely bend over and tie my shoe without a non-negligible risk of my spine slipping randomly (which would lead to weeks of pain after each occurrence). This was due to the unilateral L5 pars defect, otherwise known as spondylolysis. It was when lying in pain on the floor 4 years later after maybe the 6th spine slippage event post injury, that I had had enough, and resolved to have surgery. If Canada's "universal health care" said no, I would make lemonade from lemons, and find the very best surgeon in the world at pars repairs. That was Dr. Donald Corenman. Dr. Corenman back in 2018 ran a website https://neckandback.com/ that dedicated many pages to the science of every aspect of pars repairs, from eligibility (good discs on MRI), to best surgical techniques (minimal open compared to minimally invasive), best imaging to use (i.e., O-Arm with Stealth imaging vs. older fluoroscopy), the ideal amount of BMP to use and why not use too much or too little, and much more, all to do with pars repairs, pages upon pages of his site just on the pars, with scientific references and his own extensive expert opinion. As a health research statistician, I was very impressed with this. It was in stark contrast to the websites of other spine surgeons which barely gave the pars a word or two, focusing almost exclusively on fusions. I had found the best surgeon in the world for pars repairs, and so after Dr. Corenman personally screened my MRI to ensure my discs were healthy, I booked the surgery.

Being 46 years old at the time of surgery in 2018, with a 4-year-old pars fracture from 2014 combined with a congenital SBO meant my pars fragment was somewhat atrophied, but it was "very solid", said Dr. Corenman in the operative report. Nevertheless, it was challenging with two things to fix, the pars and SBO, and OR time was around 4 hours. Recovery over the following months was guided by a very clear "Spine binder" from the Steadman Clinic with strict rules of "no BLT" (no bending, lifting or twisting), and illustrated physiotherapy guidelines. They even warned patients to avoid fish oil supplements, which could excessively dampen inflammation and hence slow bone healing. They answered many questions I had during months of recovery, with responses coming from the very supportive Lori Fugate (then director of Dr. Corenman's practice), and Ehrich Bean (then physician's assistant at the practice), as well as a couple calls with Dr. Corenman himself after two of the CT scans. Ehrich Bean offered great advice for taking the spine binder conservatively due to the nature of pars repairs vs. fusions. The final post-op CT scan I had was a couple weeks ago at 34 months post-op, and Dr. Corenman had retired, but I got a very positive and informative call from Eric Strauch (current PA at the Steadman Clinic under Dr. Corenman's replacement there, and who had also worked with Dr. Corenman previously). The staff at the Steadman Clinic were extremely supportive all the way through the process. I should mention, the local Canadian spine surgeon did offer me very good post-operative support including antibiotics as needed to deal with a mild surface incision-site infection early on, booking numerous x-rays when I felt something was amiss, as well as booking all four of my post-op CT scans. I am very grateful for that support also.

My final result shows plenty of solid bone across the pars and a healed SBO, with my vertebral body now a solid bone ring instead of being broken at two places as it was pre-op. Does my spine hold up in the real world? You bet! I have recently dug and moved several yards of dirt and sand and gravel by myself (shovel and wheelbarrow!) to fix our water main, pulled roots from the yard, moved several "portable" (these are HUGE) air conditioners up several flights of stairs my myself, and lifted weights. I now run 2 miles (3.2 KM) several times weekly with a hard 100 meter dash in the middle. I bend deeply before each run I go on, with no spine slippage. My spine feels amazing. I can bend over to do exercise, or real word tasks, with no risk of spine slippage.

My sincere thanks to God, Dr. Donald Corenman, Lori Fugate, Ehrich Bean, Eric Strauch, and the Steadman Clinic, as well as the Canadian spine surgeon who offered me excellent post-operative care back in Canada. You have all given me a new lease on life.

Sincerely,
Eric S

Robert S

May 11, 2021

by Robert S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Back Fusion Surgery

I had my entire lumbar spine fused in November of 2018. I had scoliosis , with pinched nerves that were so painful I could hardly walk - and standing for more than a few minutes was impossible. Even sitting was painful.
The fusion surgery produced immediate relief! And the recovery was much easier than I expected.
To this day I can do all the activities I love from hiking, to standing in a stream fly fishing to riding my bike long distances - or just walking down the street with my wife.
Kudos to Dr. Corenman and his staff, (including the two Erics) for taking such good care of me!

Leslie R

Jul 9, 2020

by Leslie R on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

TLIF

I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic.

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BRONCOFAN1

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