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westie California
Participant

August 31, 2017 at 7:37 am

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #26254

Good morning Dr Corenman,

You mentioned if I have “changes in the deltoid muscle (shoulder muscle) that are identified by the EMG, that is some real evidence of problems”. The reason I bring this up is my neurologist appeared concerned when she performed my EMG of the deltoid muscles and asked me to move my arms behind my back, which i couldn’t do and asked where i had pain when i moved my arms in certain positions. She didn’t go into much details, however all she said was I feel your arm, shoulder pain is coming from your shoulders.

I was given two scripts first for MRI of right shoulder without contrast Dx: rotor cuff tear, and second MRI of left shoulder without contrast Dx: rotor cuff tear. The question is EMG changes of deltoid muscles indicates what kind of problems?

Also can this be my source of arm pain that I’ve been complaining about for years? My MRI’s are scheduled for this afternoon. Thanks again

westie California
Participant

August 26, 2017 at 8:24 am

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #26208

Good morning Dr Corenman,

I really appreciate your feedback and it has been really a great blessing getting feedback from you. My dilemma has gotten worst. My EMG was performed yesterday and was told by neurologist that I have C3, C4 and C5 nerve compression. A review of my CT Scan images showed foramina narrowing at C3, C4 and C5, she not sure what the radiologist was looking at. Said CT scan was under read and agrees with MRI.

The big dilemma is radiologist findings are different then neurologist, how? second can cartilage and ligament compression cause EMG findings? I called a couple of local imaging centers today and was told they don’t provide 2nd opinion services. I’m exhausted from this back and forth. All I want is relief. Have a great weekend.

westie California
Participant

August 24, 2017 at 10:53 am

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #26194

Good afternoon Dr Corenman,

CT Scan states:

There is straightening of the cervical lordosis. There is osseous signal intensity noted across disc space. There is good posterior decompression of the spinal canal. The C5-6, C-6-7 and C7-T1 disc space levels demonstrate osseous signal intensity course the disc space consistent with osseous fusion.

There is anterior fusion utilizing anterior plates and vertebral body screws there are bilateral pedicle screws with vertical stabilizing rods from C5-T1.There is wide laminectomies with good posterior decompression of the spinal canal. The neural foramina are patent.

to recap: I have a solid fusion per my CT Scan, my cervical MRI states foramina stenosis, disc bulges effacing epidural compartment and thecal sac, multilevel anterior-posterior spinal postoperative changes, facet joint and uncinate exhibit some sclerosis.

Questions:

1)Should i now focus on the facets or discs in the upper thoracic spine?

2)Request a selective nerve root block of the cervical and upper thoracic spine?

3)Avoid radio frequency ablation of the cervical spine and thoracic? I’m not sure on this one since I have instrumentation to T2. Does this mean the facet shouldn’t move and therefore no pain?

Thanks

westie California
Participant

August 21, 2017 at 6:01 pm

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #26030

Good evening Dr Corenman,

Just heard from my surgeon and the CT scan shows solid fusion of all prior surgical levels. In addition it states multi level foraminal stenosis (C3, C4, C7 left side and C3, C4,C5 right side).My surgeon feels an implantable spinal cord stimulation device may help.

westie California
Participant

August 10, 2017 at 11:39 am

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #25973

My surgeon gave me a script for a CT scan without contrast and that will determine if I have a solid fusion of all surgical levels. The MRI showed compression, he wants to confirm with CT Scan also.

I’ve had six spine surgeries and still feel like i’m chasing my tail.I guess the question is can bone spurs grow and impinge on nerves in such short time frame?

I don’t know if you would be willing to review my case and work with me? It would be nice to move forward from this nightmare. This has taken a toll on myself and family.

westie California
Participant

August 10, 2017 at 6:25 am

Post count: 138

in reply to: Facet Joints #25967

Good morning Dr Corenman,

My surgeon indicated to me that I had pseudoarthrosis (lack of fusion) and an incomplete decompression before my surgery in Jan 2017. My surgery did not improve my symptoms at all and I have more pain at the base of my neck/traps, my gait seemed to worsened and my left elbow pain is new. The surgeries that were performed in 2012 and 2013 were done by a previous surgeon.

I was seen by the second surgeon last week who performed 2014, 2015 and 2017 surgeries and was told that
“C3-C4, C4-C5 and C5-C6 right neuroforamina encroachment is due to the way my body is healing. He doesn’t know if the encroachment is from scar tissue or bone or both, and that will be determined by CT Scan he is ordering.

Can my thoracic herniations, bulges, and spinal cord compressions contribute to my symptoms, i.e gait, base of neck pain/traps, etc?

Thanks
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Viewing 6 posts - 97 through 102 (of 122 total)

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Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Average rating:

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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westie California

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