zlwalker

Dr. Corenman,

I had my appointment with my surgeon, and I just wanted to ask a few follow-up questions. From month four to five, I have had some general improvements with my pain levels. I have this burning feelings in my feet that did not occur before surgery, and I sometimes have muscle pain in my lower back. It is nothing that it is super painful; it is actually more annoying than anything. The burning in my feet is weird because it didn’t prior to surgery, though. I am on some low doses of Gabapentin and Methocarbamol to curb those pain points.

During my appointment with my surgeon, he made a few points that I did not know how to interpret. First, he noted that my CT myleogram looked clean, and it actually showed more improvement than my first MRI. He said that there was no indication of nerve compression anywhere in my back. However, he noted that in terms of the burning sensations, people who have back surgery usually have those types of symptoms after a surgery and as long as they don’t hurt, it is okay. Is that common from your experience? Also, he did note that nerves take six months to a year to heal after a surgery, but I keep going through the saw and tooth pattern like you noted. Is there a certain point that you have noticed as a surgeon where that pattern tends to calm down? I am wondering if my symptoms are the best case scenario since I had pains associated with a thoracic herniation for 2+ years without knowing.

Thanks for all you do again!

Dr. Corenman,

Thanks for your thoughts! I do appreciate it. I talked to my surgeon’s PA, and they noted that they do not think that there is anything in my case that represents a need for surgery. We discussed how my pain is increasing, the burning in my feet is getting more severe (which did not occur prior to surgery), and I am relying more on muscle relaxers/gabapentin/pain meds than prior to surgery. Essentially, they want to refer me to my pain management doctor to see if nerve blockers, more ESI’s, etc., would help.

I am sort of at a loss right now. I am lost how I can be deemed to be fine, but I am five months and worse than prior to surgery. I know you don’t have the actual CT report in front of you, but would you recommend if you were in my shoes or even my doctor? I should feel happy that there is a belief there is no need for surgery, but now I am wondering why I am getting worse.

Thanks for all you do.

Dr. Corenman,

The findings I posted were from a CT myelogram. Does that change your thoughts on the findings or does it still mean I may not be a candidate for revision?

Thanks for all you do!