Renee123

Thank you, Thank you!

1.) I have been reading that contralateral radiculopathy after TLIF is related to asymptomatic stenosis on the contralateral side that is unmasked by the increased lordosis of the TLIF. Do you believe this is a possibility ?

Sounds to me like there could be several different factors playing a role in these new symptoms. Some days are more painful than others: I guess maybe depending on how I sleep, I have no idea why it waxes and wanes.

Based on all we have discussed what would you believe are the next steps in priority to try control the contralateral symptoms ?

The “PA” is suggesting gabapentin 300-900mgs/day for a few days. If that doesn’t work they want me to take 40 mgs of prednisone x 3 days, then 3o mgs x 3 days, then 20 mgs x 3 days, then 10 mgs x 3 days – which seems like a long time to be on prednisone while fusing!

I was thinking perhaps it would be better to just skip over all of the meds and go to a CT scan or MRI to try to get an accurate diagnosis of what could be causing the pain. The PA sais the screw placement from X ray looks good.

Please let me know your thoughts on how to proceed. I would really like to get this resolved as quickly as possible so I can start walking and rehabbing. This is very frustrating to say the least!

THANK YOU AGAIN !!

Please forgive all of my questions; the surgery itself went very well, however I just need to get past this hiccup.

You are correct, the decompression and nerve retraction was done through the right side (symptomatic) side and for right now, that side feels fine.

If you are a referring to a decompression of bone on the left side, that was not done. I was told cage was put in through the right thereby opening up the foramina on the left as well. Surgeon did not want to remove bone on left because I have had no leg symptoms on either side; I would have expected a problem on the right so this now seems like a mystery.

So now that we have established that the opposite side was not “addressed surgically” how can I diagnose and determine the best treatment for the below?

1.) How could a nerve become stretched by the size of the implant? Left side nerve was not retracted.

2.) Is there a way to diagnose and treat canal seroma? They told me n hospital there was none, but just looked at back and felt around.

2.) What do you mean that the screw is “proud?”

Sounds like all of the above would be treated by oral steriod or perhaps lyrica ? This is very nerve racking because once again, everything else was going smooth. I noticed this problems started in the hospital after taking a longer stride from walking with the walker after surgery then progressively became worse after coming home and sitting on a hard bar stool that I have in my kitchen.

Thank you so much; this is obviously something that I do not want to turn into a chronic problem or effect my rehab!!

The more detail you can provide would be most appreciated !!! I will be following up with surgeons office in the AM, but usually just get to speak to the nurse!

Can you please tell me the name of the corset that you use ?

I was wearing an Aspen Quick draw (I removed the plastic in front) for years before the surgery. It is mostly nylon with some rigid plastic in back. I did not always connect it up front, rather just stick it in my pants for stability when I needed it. Seemed like it helped support my hips more than anything.

In any event, my surgeon doesn’t want me using any brace at this point after surgery, which is causing me to become more sore than usual and increase pain meds and use walker. They surgeon claims that it is important for muscles around spine to strengthen while fusion is occurring.

I just don’t want to mess anything up with the hardware or fusion if I decide to put the brace back on for comfort.

I am 6’1, 225 lbs so I think I need all the help I can get to ambulate while fusion is taking place.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you !