Questions about incision of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

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kyma3

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I had my ALIF on Jan.29th and I ended up getting an infection in my incision. I have an area along side of the incision that is really hard and causes me a lot of pain when I try to stand up. Has anyone else had that problem? Will this go away? I wonder if I should call the doctor although it was there when I saw him last week but he didn't say anything about it.

Linda
 
It could be scar tissue starting to build up. I had no pain from my incisions once they healed until about 3 months post op, when the front one started feeling sore and my belly button was feeling like it was pinned down. I was skeptical when my therapist said it was scar tissue, but she was right. A good PTist can work that out. My therapist worked my incisions at every visit and showed me how to work them myself in between visits. I was amazed at the difference, and it was so easy. I could describe to you how to work it, but I'd be concerned about first making sure it wasn't infection in there. It doesn't really sound like it, but with your history, it would be good to be sure.

To work your incision to help break up scar tissue, place the fingers of both hanRAB along the incision, all lined up in a row. Then gently move the whole incision back and forth, moving all of your fingers in the same direction at the same time. In other worRAB, you don't want to be pulling apart on the incision, but moving 10 fingers with the incision to the left, then 10 fingers with the incision to the right. Do this for a minute, then go up and down in the same way, gently but firmly. I was able to work the back incision, too, but the therapist worked it much better at each visit, as she could obviously reach it better.

I hope this helps.
Emily
 
Yep, sounRAB like adhesions/scar tissue. I had a similar thing after galbladder surgery. I was bobbing up and down in a friend's pool one day and the pain went away - I think I had "manipulated" the tissues around by being in the pool and moving around.
 
Thanks Emily on the suggestions because it sure does hurt me and it feels like I am doing a tug of war in my abdomen. When I try to stand up it burns so bad and I end up pushing in on the incision to stop the pain and it feels like a knot pushing out. If it gets worse I will go to my regular doctor here close to home so I don't have to make that long trip to Nashville.

Thanks Spine I also had that problem after I had my gall bladder removed but I had forgotten about that so thanks for reminding me.

I just feel so sore this week and my back has had terrible pain and I just can't get comfortable. My daughter says she thinks I am doing too much too soon.

Well wishes to everyone and alway gentle hugs, too.
Linda:angel::angel:
 
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