New back pain

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kyma3

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I don't know what is going on but thought I might get some ideas from everyone on this board. I know how helpful everyone has been through my back ordeal.

I had my ALIF & PLIF in January and March of this year and I had my checkup with my neurosurgeon two weeks ago and they stated that my x-rays looked good and a small amount of fusing taking place. I told them that I was still having some back pain, nurabness in right foot and when I am on my feet for very long I have trouble with the left foot dragging. She assured me that this is all normal because it had not been that long.

Now the new pain comes in and it started about a week ago and I know of nothing that I did to cause it. If I stand for very long I am having terrible pains in the middle of my back ( I think Thoracic). It is very painful and the only thing that really helps is getting off of my feet. It is a sharp pain and could possibly be muscle spasms. I have also started having the cervical pain again and I had 2 previous surgeries in that area. When I told the doctor about all the nerve pain I have been having in all the different areas they don't seem to be concerned because they said it is "normal".

Did any of you experience the pain in the Thoracic area following your surgery? Should I not worry about this? I guess I will need to watch it for a few weeks and I guess if it doesn't get better call the doctor??? What do you all think?

Thanks everyone
Linda:angel:
 
Hi Linda. Yep, I have had both thoracic and cervical woes/pains on/off since the fusion surgery over two years ago now.

My physical therapist says this is considered very normal, as the spine has to find it's new form and all the other segments above and below a fusion have to learn to play together again and some work extra hard due to part of the spine being fused now. My physical therapist actually strapped me to her one day and then gave me a bear hug and gave me a snap-crackle-pop in my thoracic spine. I was a bit stunned by this, as I had no idea what she was about to do. I got off the table and my back felt so much better. She asked me if I needed a smoke (jokingly) (but which I dont do). I told her she wasn't that good! hahaha. I think this was about 4-6 months post op at that point when she did this.

Since, I've had some aches and pains in other parts along the healing path, even as of a few months back. She suggested that I might seek out a chiro for the thoracic region, but my orthopod.. said NO! And it was a BIG NO he expressed that a chiro is never to touch my lurabar spine EVER! Can you tell he has no high opinion of Chiros! hehehe.

Im not saying you dont have something significant going on there, but it is very possible that it's just part of the process of healing and with that comes changes and some new pains as it happens.

Are you in any form of PT at the moment? If not, it may be something to consider. I have always stressed this is the single most important part that turned my healing process into full gear and has made me feel almost normal again.

Hope this helps in some measurable way. You hang in there. The more time goes.. the better things get. Honestly. I hit two years in April from my fusion surgery, and I kid you not, I continue to improve even now.

Take care. ;)

But
 
Hey Tammy thank you so much for all the information and you are probably right about the spine just trying to get back into alignment and settle in and all part of the process of healing. I had problems tonight when I tried lifting my left leg just to go up some stairs and I had sharp pains in my groin and hip area that took my breath away. The only thing I was doing at that time was watering my flowers in my yard and walking up the slope to one of my flower beRAB.

I am not taking physical therapy but I am doing water therapy in my own pool which is what the PA wanted me to do. She never did mention having physical therapy. I can sure understand why your doctor would not want you to see a Chiro. I went to one way back when, like 20 years ago and at that time my doctor yelled at me and told me to not go again.

My preacher keeps telling me, along with everyone else, that I need to learn patience. He told me when I have my knee surgery then maybe I will be unable to do anything and that will help my back. I don't really feel like I do that much but everyone is always yelling at me. I did go to Wally World today by myself and brought in all my groceries and I told my family that I will not do that again right now because it really wore me out.

Hope you are feeling okay and thanks again for the consultation (ha!ha!).

Take care
Linda
 
I am experiencing more upper back pain as well and they keep telling me it is because the upper back is taking on more of the load and pressure from the lower back being fused. SounRAB reasonable.
 
Thanks Pepper but sorry you are also having this pain. I just feel like I am falling apart and when this pain starts in my middle back it is such an irritating pain and I sometimes think it might be spasms also. I know that I should have better posture but to be truthful with you it actuually feels better if I roll my shoulders and slump over and I KNOW I shouldn't do that.

I guess you are having problems sleeping, too? My sleep pattern is so out of whack. Take care and hopefully you will get some "z's soon".

Linda:angel:
 
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