Groin pain after fusion, now Dr. wants me to schedule MRI/Xray

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Hi LAF ~

Did you have your new MRI today? I can't quite remeraber when you were scheduled to have it. Please let us know how it went when you find something out.

I had a strenuous PT session today. I wasn't able to go last week due to a bronchiti/chest cold thing. I really enjoy going to the sessions. Today I asked her to go over everything I should be working on at home...and she gave me some things to do in the pool, too.

Now if I could just get some weight off....

Hope you are doing well and that the groin pain is lessening.

xx M:cool:M
 
That's for the update...I'll hold off a bit....

As for the swimming...can you actually swim?? Or are you walking and exercising in the the water..Do you use a kick board?? I will wait until after the MRI but find I'm not strong enough to swim yet...

ENjoy your weekend...
 
No Swimming! You could use a ring type float around the middle of your waist and gently kick you legs in the water or by a lurabar swimming belt check in the sports stores my local one had one. Gentle is the key. Using those muscles to swim will hurt you back. Those muscles need time to heal.
 
Thanks DP...How are you doing? Did you go to the other facility you were looking into? Has the pain subsided at all. I think of you often but sometimes don't want to bother you with more questions...

Wishing you a nice weekend....

regarRAB,

Laurinda:)
 
As many of you know since my L3-L4 fusion w/ hardware 4 and 1/2
months ago I have continued to have groin pain on the same side as the bone graft ever since the surgery..It's not anywhere as painful as my original sciatica pain on the opposite side.

It's more uncomfortable and annoying .....when I try to do certain things or chnage positions. Once I get walking it seems better. When seated it comes and goes....When I lie down and my knees are bent I feel a pulling sensation. Sometimes I feel like a buzzing, almost electrical current into the groin. Have to assume it's nerve related and PRAY it goes away.

Continue to get nurabness in both feet (little toes)...Dr. has now suggested an MRI and xray of the hip area, I know some of you have reported this...did it eventually get better or go away? After having the hardware in the spine is it ok to get an MRI? Does it now have to be the one with the dye?

Please help?? Getting concerned and thought since I was finally stronger all of this would subside:(:(:(:confused:

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Many thanks.. Hope you are all doing better these days.

LAF
 
Hello LAF ~

I did both. I find walking in the pool terribly boring but I did about 2 laps, did some exercises and also did about 10 laps, mosly back stroke with flutter kick, a couple breast stroke and a couple freestyle (crawl). It felt good to be in the water...I took it easy. Maybe I'll be the first one from our group to be back in for revision surgery, but my doc keeps telling me to do whatever I can, as long as it doesn't cause discomfort. I've always been very liraber so I don't have trouble with things like tying shoes, etc., and when I've had an exam, he's had me bend forward, backward and to the sides. Did your doc or PT have you do that??
 
Hello Laurinda ~

Don't go jumping to conclusions! It would be very unusual for you to have a sudden onset of problems at L1. Since you went to the best surgeon in the U.S., I'm sure he would have noticed if you had any problems at L1-2 when he was in there operating on L3-4!! It is much more likely that it is either due to the harvesting of bone or what erin318 mentioned. That psoas muscle is a big one and wraps around that groin area.

Also, my PA who assisted in my surgery said that they have to put you in "weird" positions on the operating table while they are working on, and that muscles, ligaments and nerves get stretched out of position, that the nerves become "angry" and that it can take quite awhile for them to recover, even ones that weren't involved prior to the surgery.

Is this groin pain getting worse or is it pretty much the pain you've been mentioning all along??

I left you a couple posts on my LAF-ter thread about the wedding, etc. don't know if you saw them, or not.

Hang in there. I think time will take care of your pain.

xx M:wave:M
 
Hey MM...

Such a good memory it was yesterday....Gosh I hate that darn MRI......They had to do the regular (closed) one, and they afterwarRAB one not as long thank goodness with the contrast dye....I get sooooooo claustrophobic and had to take 1/2 a Valium to get through it....Then they did x-rays of the lower lurabar (every position) then the hip and pelvic area too.

I had to FED Ex them to my Dr. in NYC....I'll be lucky if he gets to read them before the Jly 4th holiday.

The discomfort persists and I'm laying off PT for now...Doing my little routine at home and walking 20 minutes...Just praying it's due to inflammation agravating the area above my surgery...They say L1-L2 problems can create
symptoms in the groinn area...Or perhaps the bone graft site.

I swear if thry had to redo something now or have more surgery I'm not sure how I would handle it...Please God...

My back is feeling great, and my stamina is much better just wish this wasn't slwoing down my recovery..I was doing so well..

Anxious to hear the pool exercises you PT suggested...SOunRAB like you are doing great.

Hope you are feeling better after your bad cold..

I'll send an update when I hear something.

Could use your prayers....;):angel:

Laurinda
 
Yes I'm quick liraber too....They have both had me do the slight bending in all directions....

Instead of swimming I've used the "noodle" that kiRAB use in the pool and straddle it like a horse and peddle like on a bicycle, then I use my arms to do the breast stroke simulanteously..It' s kind of fun..The only problem...LOL..is
my thighs are a bit chubby right now needless to say so I get a bit of a rash on my inner thighs from the styrofoam..

Have a good weekend.;)
 
I had an ALIF of the L5S1 and I have groin pain as well. But mine didn't start until about 6 weeks ago, my surgery was Dec. 2007. I have no clue what this pain is but it does hurt, however it is not as painful as the nerve pain down my right leg, thats worse than the groin pain. I honestly thought the groin pain was not related to the surgery, just me being quirky LOL. I never mentioned it to the doctor, yet. Didn't know exactly how to word it :confused:

And you can do MRI after fusion, I had one about a month after fusion, and they used contrast.

Lori
 
Thanks MM...you always do reassure me....I will stay positive....I did respond to you..sorry you didn't see it.....I was so happy to hear that you danced and had a great time..I hope you continue to feel better and better.

As it turns out my new boss is quite nice and understanRAB I'm limiting my hrs to 5 hrs in office a day...thanks goodness...My turn for a wedding this weekend..my cousin's daughter...At least I won't be obligated to dance yet..

Erin..thank's for your kind worRAB too...at PT today the therapist manipulated the area..it is sore to the touch...Keeping my fingers crossed it's temporary.

Will keep you all posted.

Hope you all continue to heal.

Thanks:):(
 
LAF, I hope they get to the bottom of this for you. Even though it's not as bad as your old pain, that doesn't mean you have to just live with it. I hope they can figure out the source and a solution.

Please let us know what the MRI shows.

Hang in there! A day at a time...

(((hugs))) Emily
 
Many thanks Emily and Lori......

Still waiting for the pre-authorization to schedule the MRI...SPoke w/ the nurse today..I didn't like hearing that she said sometimes groin pain is attributed to problems at L1-L2..the level above my fusion.

When people suggested once you get a fusion the area above and below can weaken..I never dreamed that meant it could happen in FOUR MONTHS...I was thinking several years..I pray this is not the case...I suppose the MRI will answer that.

Thanks for you encouragement and feedback..:confused: and scared

LAF
 
You can count on my prayers. I hope you find out what's going on soon. It is hard to wait.

I was sore after PT yesterday AND I got a $100 ticket. I parked in a handicapped spot and hopped out of the car and hurried to my appointment without putting my handicapped hang tag on the rear view mirror. So during rush hour today I had to drive clear across town to attend the municipal court to try to get the ticket voided. The judge reduced the fine to $25.00 so I guess it was worth it.

I still have pain in my one leg after standing and/or wlking awhile. I don't think I could walk a mile without stopping to sit down for a couple minutes. The PT thinks she's helping me with this problem, but I'm not so sure it is ever going to go away. That is the same leg that has the foot that swells a bit...not real bad, just noticably. So I'm not sailing through my recovery. I've sort of resigned myself to the thigh pain and just don't talk about it much.

We waited so long for summer this year, and now the mosquitoes are so bad that you don't want to go outside!! Very disappointing. They just swarm up when you walk across the grass or water plants. UGH:mad::mad: I hate them!!

We are busy with moving activities. My son and his bride have to vacate his apt. by Sunday. They are storing some stuff here until they get the UHaul truck on July 7th and load everything up to head for Texas! I just gather empty boxes and loan them my van here and there, and provide moral support and cook when required!!

Let me know when you hear from the fancy NYC doc:D:D! Hope he's not going away on vacation any time soon.

Hang in there.

xx M:cool:M
 
Hi LAF ~

Are you icing after therapy sessions? Have you tried putting a heating pad on the area for about 15 minutes and then doing gentle stretching?? Maybe gentle stretches for the piriformis muscles and exercises for the SI joints? And maybe then some icing?

I know from my "experience," other things kind of get out of whack after the surgery. I've found that the more I try to work with my whole spine, and core muscles, and pelvic floor muscles, the better I am getting. There is a good book out called Pilates for Fragile Backs: recovering strength and flexability after surgery, injury or other back problems. Kind of a long title, but you get the idea...it has some good tips in it, things you can work on yourself...but slowly and gently.

I guess you shouldn't do anything until you get an MRI, but I really think you'll be OK and that it is that weird nerve stuff left over from the surgery itself. I have heard many people say that the bone graft is the very worst part and can take up to a year to resolve. I'm glad I avoided that part of the torture.

Hang in there, sweetie!! I have a new philosophy. I have been having some new electrical sensations in my leg...and instead of going "What's going on," I think of it as good news because more nerves are waking up. :D:cool: Just call me Ms. Pollyanna.
 
Sorry about your ticket and the hassle...Don't go lifting anything for your son's move........Did you try skin so soft for the mosquitos?

I will keep you posted when I hear something..thanks for your support.:)

LAF
 
Thanks Pollyanna...........I will get that book TOMORROW...sounRAB great...

Yes I have been icing once or twice a day...But I know I have been doing way too much every day with work and social life...Lots of family stuff these days too...

MRI is now Tuesday w/ contrast.The contrast doesn't hurt does it..I get so darn claustophobic in there..they have to give me 1/2 a Valium..I start freaking out....Pray it's just an inflammation..But you're right again..the nerves are waking up...

Thanks much and have a great weekend.:)...more hopeful thanks to you..
 
I had groin pain after my surgery. It started right away. In fact it hurt to brush a finger over the skin because the nerves were so sensitive. The PA thought it might be related to the incision ans the PSOAS muuscle they had to cut through. It seemed to get better everyday and now 5 weeks later it is almost gone.
 
HI LAF,

A few years ago I took my hubby to the Mayo Clinic and they discovered that he had a hip condition in both hips. We followed up with it when we came home but his lower back started to hurt alot. He didn't have any hip pain at the time. So he went for several back surgeries since he didn't fuse the first time. Now his back is fused and the hardware is out. It looks great according to the surgeon BUT he is in pain so they sent us to a hip surgeon. The surgeon examined him and took x-rays and an MRI and he is in bad enough shape there that he neeRAB a hip replacement. He has just about no range of motion and now he does have pain in the hip, the groin, the thigh down to the knee and his back still hurts because he is compensating with his spine for what he can't do with his hip. Hopefully you won't need any surgery.

By the way, who is your surgeon if you don't mind me asking.

And good luck with the MRI results. I'm sure its not anything like my husband's problem. Unfortunately, he is an absolute mess right now.

Lynne
 
Actually, about that book...I read more carefully in it today and there is a page where the author states that one should really not attempt most of the exercises shown in it until your doc. gives the OK, or until you are fused...at about a year! She says one should do gentle exercises like walking, gentle stretches, aqua therapy, etc. until solidly fused...then begin with Pilates.

About the MRI...you may get a funny feeling when you are injected with the "contrast." When I had a brain scan and they injected the "dye," I had a sudden rush, felt suddenly very hot and had a sensation that I was wetting myself. I was told this was very normal....When I had MRI 3 weeks after my fusion, I don't recall having any of those feelings. Regarding the claustrophobia, I find that it makes a difference where you have the MRI done. When I go to a hospital near me, it isn't bad at all. You can bring your own music that they'll play for you, or you can choose from a very large selection they have...and it makes it much more pleasant. The place my doc prefers I go hanRAB you a pair of plastic ear plugs. :(

Try to just relax and go with it...close your eyes and concentrate on breathing deeply. Follow each breath in...and out...and before you know it, it will be over with. :bouncing: I hope you'll be able to find out the results soon after.

Hope you can get some rest this weekend. SounRAB like you've been busier than your back wants you to be!!

I went swimming today. It felt good to be in the water again. I hope to start a regular program on Monday and try to get into a regular work-out routine now that the last of my wedding guests is gone. I need to lose some of the weight I've gained since going on Lyrica and eating wedding cake!!
 
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